New Wegovy pill offers needle-free weight loss - but may not work for everyone

Weight loss drugs show promise in reducing inflammation beyond fat burning, doctor says Dr. Sue Decotiis, a New York City weight loss physician, discusses how GLP-1s impact inflammation, relieving conditions from arthritis to cancer. The first oral GLP-1 medication for weight loss has been approved for use in the U.S. The Wegovy pill, from drugmaker Novo Nordisk, was cleared by the Food and Drug Administration to reduce excess body weight, maintain long-term weight reduction and lower the risk of major cardiovascular events. Approval of the once-daily 25mg semaglutide pill was based on the results of two clinical trials - the OASIS trial program and the SELECT trial. WEIGHT-LOSS DRUGS NOW LINKED TO CANCER PROTECTION IN WOMEN, MAJOR NEW STUDY REVEALS The Wegovy pill demonstrated a mean weight loss of 16.6% in the OASIS 4 trial among adults who were obese or overweight and had one or more comorbidities (other medical conditions), according to a press release. In the same trial, one in three participants experienced 20% or greater weight loss. The first oral GLP-1 medication for weight loss has been approved for use in the U.S. (iStock) Novo Nordisk reported that the weight loss achieved with the pill is similar to that of injectable Wegovy and has a similar safety profile. WEIGHT LOSS DRUGS COULD ADD YEARS TO AMERICANS' LIVES, RESEARCHERS PROJECT "With today's approval of the Wegovy pill, patients will have a convenient, once-daily pill that can help them lose as much weight as the original Wegovy injection," said Mike Doustdar, president and CEO of Novo Nordisk, in the press release. Novo Nordisk reported that the weight loss achieved with the pill is similar to that of injectable Wegovy and has a similar safety profile. (James Manning/PA Images via Getty Images) "As the first oral GLP-1 treatment for people living with overweight or obesity, the Wegovy pill provides patients with a new, convenient treatment option that can help patients start or continue their weight-loss journey." POPULAR WEIGHT-LOSS DRUGS COULD TAKE THE EDGE OFF YOUR ALCOHOL BUZZ, STUDY FINDS The oral GLP-1 is expected to launch in the U.S. in early January 2026. Novo Nordisk has also submitted oral semaglutide for obesity to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and other regulatory authorities. "Most side effects will be GI-related and should be similar to the injectable, such as nausea, vomiting and constipation," an expert said. (iStock) Dr. Sue Decotiis, a medical weight-loss doctor in New York City, confirmed in an interview with Fox News Digital that studies show oral Wegovy is comparable to the weekly injectable, just without the needles. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP Although the pill may result in better compliance and ease of use, Decotiis warned that some patients may not absorb the medication through the gastrointestinal tract as well as with the injectable version due to individual idiosyncrasies in the body. "Most side effects will be GI-related and should be similar to the injectable, such as nausea, vomiting and constipation," she said. CLICK HERE...

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