Category: GLP-1s

Nonadherance seems to be a nonissue for patients taking new weight loss drugs, The New York Times reported March 24. 

Another off-label use of GLP-1s, a drug class including Ozempic, Mounjaro and Zepbound, is gaining traction among women seeking to prevent pregnancy complications. 

Some bariatric surgeons are noticing a decrease in referrals because of the increasing popularity of GLP-1s, which mimic a gut hormone that suppresses appetite and makes patients feel full. 

Less than two weeks after Novo Nordisk’s weight loss drug Wegovy was approved to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes, CMS has issued guidance for Medicare coverage of weight loss drugs, The Wall Street Journal reported March 21. 

Physicians are seeing more women turn to weight loss medications before they become pregnant in hopes of lowering their risks of having a miscarriage and other complications, such as preeclampsia and preterm birth. 

Anita Courcoulas, MD, defines GLP-1s as “generation one;” dual GLP-1 and GIPs as the second; and a triple threat of GLP-1, GIP and GCGRs as the third generation of weight loss drugs. 

First-time prescriptions for Eli Lilly’s Zepbound surpassed those for Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy in early March, according to data cited by Reuters. 

As Novo Nordisk campaigns against counterfeit versions of Ozempic, its Type 2 diabetes drug popularly used for weight loss, one analysis predicts the therapy will log $16.1 billion in sales in 2024, making it the second top-selling drug. 

Hospital transplant departments have strict cutoffs for patients with higher body mass indexes because of the increased risk of complications, but GLP-1s such as Ozempic and Wegovy are helping more patients be eligible for surgery. 

Counterfeit versions of Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic are becoming more of a concern, both for the company and to global authorities. Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen, the Danish drugmaker’s CEO, told Reuter’s the company is currently working alongside authorities i…