A higher dose of Novo Nordisk’s weight loss medication, Wegovy has been approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for weight management in patients with obesity in the UK.
The approval was granted based on data from the phase three, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Conducted across 95 hospitals, specialist clinics, and medical centres in 11 countries.
Findings
The study found that patients receiving the 7.2mg dose of Wegovy achieved a weight loss of 18.7%, compared to a weight loss of 3.9% for patients receiving the placebo.
In comparison to the lower dose of the medication, for patients with a mean baseline body weight of 249 pounds, patients treated with Wegovy (semaglutide) 7.2 mg achieved an average weight loss of 20.7% after 72 weeks, compared to a reduction of 17.5% with 2.4 mg.
The study showed promising results for the higher dose of Wegovy, with 93.2% of patients in the 7.2 mg group achieving a weight loss of 5% or more, compared to 92.5% in the 2.4 mg cohort and 35.7% in the placebo group.
Who is eligible for the higher dose?
Following the MHRA’s approval to launch the higher dose in the UK, eligible patients will be able to access the higher maintenance dose if they require further weight loss.
Patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher could be eligible for the higher dose of Wegovy, in conjunction with regular exercise and a healthy diet.
When a patient is first prescribed Wegovy, the starting dose is 0.25mg per week. The healthcare professional monitoring the patient gradually instructs the patient to increase their dose every four weeks until they reach the regular dose of 2.4 mg per week.
If the patient meets the criteria and requires a higher dose, an increase to 7.2 mg per week can be made after a minimum of 4 weeks on 2.4 mg. The maximum dose is 7.2 mg per week.
The higher dose is injected in three doses of 2.4mg, one after the other on the same day.
“With rates of obesity continuing to rise across the UK, this milestone reinforces Novo Nordisk’s long-term commitment to improving population health through science-led innovation and responsible access,” stated the manufacturer.
The future of weight loss medications in the UK
The 7.2mg dose is currently available as three 2.4mg injections, but a 7.2mg single dose is expected to become available this year.
Novo Nordisk is currently waiting on approval from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the MHRA for its weight loss pill, which is now available in the US.
A second weight loss pill from pharmaceutical company Eli Lily — the pharmaceutical company behind Mounjaro — is currently seeking FDA approval for its oral weight loss medication, currently known as Orforglipron.
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