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FDA OKs Super-Sized Wegovy for Weight Loss
19 Mar
Summary
- New 7.2mg Wegovy dose approved by FDA for weight loss.
- Higher dose helped study participants lose nearly 19% body weight.
- Significant side effects including nausea and skin sensations reported.
Federal regulators recently authorized a new, higher-dose version of the popular obesity drug Wegovy. This 7.2-milligram weekly injection, known as Wegovy HD, is designed to facilitate more significant weight loss and better long-term maintenance compared to its previous maximum dose of 2.4 milligrams.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to this enhanced dosage. European regulators had already approved the higher dose in February. This new strength is anticipated to be available in U.S. pharmacies by April, with pricing to be disclosed at that time.
Clinical studies demonstrated substantial weight reduction with Wegovy HD, with participants losing approximately 19% of their body weight over nearly 17 months. This contrasts with the approximately 16% weight loss observed with the lower dose. The development addresses the needs of individuals who do not achieve optimal results with the currently available 2.4-milligram dose.
Despite its efficacy, the higher dose is associated with an increase in side effects. Nausea, vomiting, and constipation were reported by over 70% of users taking the 7.2-milligram dose, compared to over 60% with the lower dose. Additionally, unusual skin sensations affected about 23% of those on the higher dose, compared to 6% on the lower dose and less than 1% on placebo.
