It’s about Controlling Starvation, not Energy
The GLP-1 Agonist Class of Medication
Semaglutide (commerce named Wegovy and Ozempic), is a part of the drug class GLP1 (Glucagon Like Peptide 1) agonist. This isn’t a brand new drug class, because it has been round because the discovery of exenatide (commerce title Byetta) within the venom from the saliva of the Gila monster.
It was first authorised to be used in the US in 2005. The GLP1 hormones are a part of the hormone class known as incretins, with many alternative physiologic results. They’re secreted primarily within the abdomen and the primary impact was thought to extend insulin secretion from the pancreatic beta cell in response to glucose given by mouth (however not by intravenous because it bypasses the abdomen).
The improved insulin secretion was helpful to cut back blood glucose in sort 2 diabetes. Exenatide noticed solely modest success as a result of it was inconvenient. It wanted to be injected twice every day. It caused mild weight loss, at best 2.5 kg weight loss (5.5 pounds). Sure, you misplaced weight, nevertheless it was nothing to jot down residence about.
Subsequent got here liraglutide (commerce title Victoza), developed as a simpler to make use of model of exenatide as a result of it may very well be taken as soon as a day as an alternative of twice. It additionally produced weight loss — about 4–6 kg (8–13 kilos). Not unhealthy, however not wonderful both.
Then alongside got here semaglutide (Ozempic or Wegovy), developed basically as an up to date model of liraglutide. As a substitute of every day injections, it could be weekly injections. The better to make use of, the extra probably folks will use it. And it labored. However folks quickly seen one thing else. Individuals weren’t dropping a bit little bit of weight — they have been dropping a LOT of weight.
Within the STEP 1 trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, folks taking semaglutide misplaced about 15% of their unique physique weight. A 200 pound particular person…
