London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Mar 23, 2023

Weight loss drug semaglutide approved for NHS use

Weight loss drug semaglutide approved for NHS use

A weight loss jab that has gained popularity in the US has been approved for use by the NHS in England.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) concluded semaglutide, marketed as Wegovy, is safe, effective and affordable.

Delivered via an injection into the skin, the drug makes people feel fuller and more satisfied, so they eat less.

Famous personalities such as Elon Musk claim to have used it - with a "craze" allegedly developing in Hollywood.


Lifestyle changes


Based on evidence from clinical trials, NICE says semaglutide could help people reduce their weight by over 10%, if implemented alongside nutrition and lifestyle changes.

It will be recommended for use by people with at least one weight-related health condition, as well as those who have a body mass index (BMI) which puts them near the top of the obese range.

BMI is calculated by dividing an adult's weight in kilograms by the square of their height in metres.

Those who are lower on the obese BMI range - a BMI between 30 and 34.9kg/m2 - could also be offered the drug if they have a weight-related health condition. NICE lists these as someone who is pre-diabetic, has type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease or obstructive sleep apnoea.

Once-weekly injections of Wegovy will have to be prescribed by a specialist, and an individual will only be able to take the drug for a maximum of two years.

Semaglutide is also found in the diabetes medicine Ozempic, but, unlike Ozempic - which is intended for those with type 2 diabetes - Wegovy is recommended specifically for weight loss.

The drug works as an appetite suppressant by mimicking a hormone called Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). This intestinal hormone is released after eating and typically makes people feel fuller, so should help reduce overall calorie intake.

Kailey Wood runs a TikTok account sharing her weight loss journey


An article published last year in Variety suggested the diabetes medicine Ozempic, which contains semaglutide, is being used by some professionals in the film and entertainment industry to lose weight quickly.

It has become so popular that there are currently widespread shortages in the US and concerns for those people who rely on the drug for medical reasons.

Insurance companies in the US are refusing to cover its use among people who are not diabetic and not taking it as a prescribed medicine.


'Ozempic face'


Pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, which makes both Ozempic and Wegovy, says the products should only be used as recommended by a doctor.

Like all medication, semaglutide comes with side-effects and risks - including nausea, stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhoea.

In addition, rapid weight loss can also lead to the skin losing collagen and elastin, causing what Vogue Magazine has dubbed the gaunt "Ozempic face".

Kailey Wood, 36, has been taking Ozempic for seven months, after being prescribed the drug by her doctor in New York.

She tells the BBC that she has lost just under 30kg - going from obese to healthy in the BMI range.

Semaglutide injections will be approved under NICE guidance


"I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and insulin resistance, but honestly I didn't really struggle with my weight until I hit my 30s - after I had my kids," she says.

"I was rapidly gaining weight. I had a personal trainer and was on every diet known to man - keto, low carbohydrate, intermittent fasting and nothing seemed to work,".

When Kailey went for tests with her doctor, she was told she had high blood pressure and high cholesterol and, due to the risks associated with PCOS, she was at risk of developing type 2 diabetes too.

"The long-term effects [of being obese] freaked me out having two daughters," she says.

"I just wanted to get to my best self - to show them what a healthy mum looks like; to get outside and play with them."

Kailey, who works for a tech start-up and runs her own TikTok page, says that people who want to use semaglutide need to know the drug does have side-effects.

"When you start taking this medication, your body almost goes into shock - you get headaches, nausea, tiredness," she explains.

"But your body starts to get used to it. You have to be mindful and listen to your body."

Kailey says those elements of the US media who promoting the drug as a "get skinny quick product" leave "a bad taste". She believes it sends the wrong message.

"What it's really doing is changing people's lives - treating the patient before they have the disease," she says.

Just over a quarter of adults in England are obese and around a third are overweight, according to official figures.

In the UK, obesity is thought to cost the NHS £6.1bn per year, government estimates show.

The drug semaglutide is currently under consultation in Scotland, with Wales expected to follow the NICE guidelines issued in England.

Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at NICE, said: "For some people losing weight is a real challenge, which is why a medicine like semaglutide is a welcome option.

"It won't be available to everyone. Our committee has made specific recommendations to ensure it remains value for money for the taxpayer."

Dr Duane Mellor, registered dietitian and senior lecturer at Aston Medical School, Aston University, said: "It is important to remember that living with a higher body weight or obesity is not a lifestyle choice, and people wanting to improve their health should be supported to do that.

"It is also clear that semaglutide is not intended to be a lifestyle weight-loss product in the UK. It is to be used for the purpose of improving health."

Anyone who is offered semaglutide on the NHS will be supported by specialist weight management services, including support from a dietitian.

Newsletter

Related Articles

London Daily
Close
0:00
0:00
Donald Trump arrested – Twitter goes wild with doctored pictures
You're Beautiful - James Blunt (Boyce Avenue acoustic cover)
NYPD is setting up barricades outside Manhattan Criminal Court ahead of Trump arrest.
You Are So Beautiful
Credit Suisse's Scandalous History Resulted in an Obvious Collapse - It's time for regulators who fail to do their job to be held accountable and serve as an example by being behind bars.
Postmodern Jukebox European Tour Version
Home Secretary Suella Braverman tours potential migrant housing in Rwanda as asylum deal remains mired in legal challenges
An old French tune (by Georges Brassens) Pomplamoose ft. John Schroeder
Goldman Sachs cuts outlook for European bank debt over Credit Suisse crisis
Sattahip Motor Show 20
Paris Rioting vs Macron anti democratic law
SONATE AU CLAIR DE LUNE - Moonlight sonata
'Sexual Fantasy' Assignment At US School Outrages Parents
A kiss to build a dream on
Orbán Viktor: the restructuring of the power relations in the whole of Europe is taking place
Wiz Khalifa - See You Again ft. Charlie Puth, Furious
Credit Suisse to borrow $54 billion from Swiss central bank
Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton (Boyce Avenue acoustic cover)
The BBC problem about China
Mean Blues
Strikes-Hit UK Pledges 94 Billion Euros In Cost-Of-Living Budget
La Chansonnette
Russian Hackers Preparing New Cyber Assault Against Ukraine
Pattaya Addicts
"Will Fly Wherever International Law Allows": US Warns Russia After Drone Incident
Franz Liszt - Liebestraum - Love Dream
UK face biggest fall in spending power for 70 years
Dream a little dream of me
Jeremy Hunt insists his Budget will get young parents and over-50s back into work
Tu Vuo' Fa' L'Americano - Hetty & the Jazzato Band
If this was in Tehran, Moscow or Hong Kong
Unchained Melody sung like you've NEVER heard!
Announcing GPT-4
Dave Brubeck - Take Five
TRUMP: "Standing before you today, I am the only candidate who can make this promise: I will prevent World War III."
Édith Piaf - Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien (Sofie)
Drew Barrymore
Rondo Alla Turca
China is calling out the US, UK, and Australia on their submarine pact, claiming they are going further down a dangerous road
Kiss of fire
A brief banking situation report
Ed Sheeran - Perfect (Amadeus violin cover instrumental)
We are witnessing widespread bank fails and the president just gave a 5 min speech then walked off camera.
Tom Jones - I´ll Never Fall In Love Again 1967, 1989, 2001
Donald Trump's asked by Tucker Carlson question on if the U.S. should support regime change in Russia?.
Israel Cachao López - Guajira Clásica
'No relation to the American SVB': India's SVC Bank acts to calm depositors amid brand name confusion.
Edward Maya - Stereo Love (feat. Vika Jigulina) (Extended Mix)
Good news: The U.S. government is now guaranteeing all deposits, held by, Silicon Valley Bank, and the funds are available as of today
Strauss - Radetzky March - Karajan
Silicon Valley Bank exec was Lehman Brothers CFO
La vie en rose
In a potential last-ditch effort, HSBC is considering a rescue deal to save Silicon Valley Bank UK from insolvency
Despacito (Piano Cover) - Peter Bence
Saudi Arabia has announced a major breakthrough in diplomacy with Iran after two years of intense talks
The Temptations - My Girl (Smokey Robinson Tribute) 2006 Kennedy Cent
BBC Director General, Tim Davie, has apologized, but not resigned, yet, following the disruption of sports programmes over the weekend
Orlando Cachaito Lopez Redencion
A Mississippian man, who was once considered a “ticking time bomb,” has lost a whopping 165 kilograms! What motivated this incredible transformation?
Edith Piaf - NON, JE NE REGRETTE RIEN
Elon Musk Is Planning To Build A Town In Texas For His Employees
RADETZKY MARCH-2008-Wien, New Year Concert
The Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse effect is spreading around the world, affecting startup companies across the globe
Only you (And you alone)
City officials in Berlin announced on Thursday that all swimmers at public pools will soon be allowed to swim topless
Beautiful in White x Canon in D (Piano Cover by Riyandi Kusuma)
Fitness scam
Strangers In The Night
Market Chaos as USDC Loses Peg to USD after $3.3 Billion Reserves Held by Silicon Valley Bank Closed.
Charles Aznavour - La Boheme
A primitive judge in Australia sparked outrage when he told a breastfeeding woman to leave his courtroom for being “a distraction"
Summer time
Barcelona is feeling the heat as they face corruption charges over payments to former vice-president of Spain's referees' committee, Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira
Sting and Stevie Wonder - Fragile (from Sting's 60th birthday concert)
Banking regulators close SVB, the largest bank failure since the financial crisis
Aux Champs Elysees
Watch: “They are wounded but unbowed, unbreakable.”
Stand By Me - Ben E. King (Boyce Avenue acoustic cover)
Silicon Valley Bank: Struggles Threaten Tech Startup Ecosystem"
La Mer (Beyond the Sea) – Avalon Jazz Band
The unelected UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, an immigrant himself, defends new controversial crackdown on illegal migration
She
Old clip of Bill Gates saying Ukraine is a big, fat, corrupt sinkhole is going viral
Nathalie Song by Enzo Petrachi Stjepan Hauser Cello
Man’s penis amputated by mistake after he’s wrongly diagnosed with a tumour
Shape of My Heart - Sting (Boyce Avenue acoustic cover)
Motorist fined £650 after council ‘paints disabled bay around his car
Radiohead - Creep
Brexit Deal Falls Short: UK Regains Few Pre-Brexit Benefits
Quizás,Quizás,Quizás - Andrea Bocelli - Jennifer Lopez
In a major snub to Downing Street's Silicon Valley dreams, UK chip giant Arm has dealt a serious blow to the government's economic strategy by opting for a US listing
Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps - Multi-Couples
Brexit is done (sort of), again
Pentatonix Havana
JP Morgan Becomes First Bank to Predict UK Will Avoid Recession
Paula Cole - Autumn Leaves
JP Morgan Becomes First Bank to Predict UK Will Avoid Recession
Oscar Benton Bensonhurst Blues
JPMorgan has become the first City of London forecaster to predict that Britain will stay out of recession in 2023
OH NANANA vs ABUSADAMENTE
Nina Simone - ”I Put A Spell On You”. Vezi aici cum cântă Jeremy Ragsd
NIGHTWISH - The Phantom Of The Opera
Motorshow 2016 Tanjay Negros Oriental
Monica Bellucci - Ti Amo
Michael Jackson - Billie Jean Milena The Voice France 2018
Michael Buble (Help Me Make It Through The Night) feat Loren Allred
Memories Canon In D - Maroon 5 (Boyce Avenue piano acoustic cover)
Matteo Simoni - Marina
Maroon 5 - One More Night
Maroon 5 - Memories
Mark Knopfler - Brothers In Arms (Berlin 2007 Live)
Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris - Romeo And Juliet (Real Live Roadrunni
Marina, Marina - The LUCKY DUCKIES intimist live concert at Guimarães
Major Lazer & DJ Snake – Lean On Mauranne The Voice France 2016
Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet - Joslin - Henri Mancini, Nino Rota
LoLa & Hauser - Love Story
Linkin Park Jay-Z - Numb Encore (Live 8 2005)
Hallelujah Mennel Ibtissem, The Voice France Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen - Dance Me to the End of Love
Leonard Cohen & Natasha Rostova - Dance me to the end of love
La casa de papel - Bella Ciao
La Camisa Negra
L'italiano (Toto Cutugno) - The Gypsy Queens
Juanes - La Camisa Negra
Jonathan and Charlotte - Britain's Got Talent 2012 Live Semi Final - U
John Powell - Assassin's Tango
Joe Cocker - You Can Leave Your Hat On (LIVE in Dortmund)
Joe Cocker - Unchain My Heart 2002 Live
Joe Cocker - A Whiter Shade Of Pale
Jay Z & Alicia Keys - Empire State of Mind LIVE
Jason Mraz - Im Yours (live)
Jarrod Radnich - Bohemian Rhapsody - Virtuosic Piano Solo
James Blunt - You're Beautiful
James Blunt - You're Beautiful & Bonfire Heart (Live at The Nobel Peac)
If You Go Away - Helen Merrill & Stan Getz (Tribute to Virna Lisi)
I'LL BE MISSING YOU
I Say a Little Prayer
Hotel California ( Eagles ) 1994 Live
Historia de un amor - Luz Casal. Vezi interpretarea Biancăi Sumanariu
Here Comes The Sun - The Beatles (Boyce Avenue acoustic cover) on Spot
Heart - Stairway to Heaven Led Zeppelin - Kennedy Center Honors
HAVANA by Camila Cabello Zumba Pre Cooldown TML Crew Kramer Pastra
HAUSER and Señorita - I Will Always Love You
HAUSER - Waka Waka
HAUSER - Sway
HAUSER - Lambada
HAUSER - Historia de un Amor
HAUSER - Despacito
Great Pretender
Georgia May Foote & Giovanni Pernice Samba to 'Volare' - Strictly Come
Gary Moore - Still Got The Blues
GIPSY KINGS VOLARE Penelope Cruz
Fugees - Killing Me Softly With His Song
French Latino - Historia de un Amor
For A Few Dollars More The Danish National Symphony Orchestra (Live)
Flashdance • What a Feeling • Irene Cara
Filip Rudan - “Someone You Loved” Audicija 4 The Voice Hrvatska Sez
Eric Clapton - Wonderful Tonight
Enya - Only Time
Enrique Iglesias - Bailando (English Version) ft. Sean Paul
Enrique Iglesias - Bailamos
Elena Yerevan Historia de un amor
Ed Sheeran - Shape of You (Official Music Video)
Ed Sheeran - Perfect Symphony [with Andrea Bocelli]
Ed Sheeran - Perfect (Official Music Video)
Easy On Me - Adele (Boyce Avenue 90’s style piano acoustic cover) on S
ERA - Ameno
ELENA YEREVAN- Cancion Del Mariachi-IN STUDIO-2017 DPR
Dust In The Wind - Kansas (Boyce Avenue acoustic cover)
Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
Despacito x Shape Of You - Pentatonix
Deep Purple - Child In Time - Live (1970)
David Foster When A Man Loves A WomanIt's A Mans World (SealMichael Bo
Dance me to the end of Love ( Pi-Air Design )
Coolio - Gangsta's Paradise (feat. L.V.) [Official Music Video]
Conquest Of Paradise (Vangelis), played on Böhm Emporio organ
Cielito Lindo
Chico & The Gypsies - Bamboleo
Canción Del Mariachi - Antonio Banderas, Los Lobos • Desperado
Camila Cabello - Havana (Audio) ft. Young Thug
Camila Cabello - Havana ( cover by J.Fla )
California Dreamin' - The Mamas & The Papas José Feliciano (Boyce Ave
Buster Benton - Money Is The Name of The Game
Hallelujah Pentatonix
Bobby McFerrin - Don't Worry Be Happy (Official Music Video)
Bob Dylan - Knockin' On Heaven's Door Emilia The Voice Kids France
Besame Mucho - Cesaria Evora
Ben E. King - Stand by Me Sax Cover Alexandra Ilieva Thomann
Bella Ciao
Bella Ciao - INSTRUMENTAL
Beautiful in White x Canon in D (Piano Cover by Riyandi Kusuma)
Bad Romance - Vintage 1920's Gatsby Style Lady Gaga Cover ft. Ariana Savalas & Sarah Reich(1)
BELLA CIAO 2020 - KARAOKE ITALIANO
BAMBOLEO - Gipsy Kings • Antonio Banderas, Katya Virshilas
BAILANDO (original)
Awesome Ukrainian yodeler - SOFIA SHKIDCHENKO (with English subtitles)
Avicii - The Nights
Atom - The Great Gig in the Sky
Aretha Franklin - (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman (Official Ly
Antonio Banderas - Cancion del Mariachi (Desperado)
André Rieu - Zorba's Dance (Sirtaki)
André Rieu - Can't Help Falling In Love
André Rieu & Mirusia - Ave Maria
Andrew Reyes Elton John - Don't Let The Sun Go Down The Voice 2020 (
Andreas Kümmert Whiter Shade Of Pale The Voice of Germany 2013 Showd
And I Love You So
All About That Bass - Postmodern Jukebox European Tour Version
Alan Walker - Faded (Piano Cover)
Ain't No Sunshine -- Bill Withers (cover by Canen 12 y.o.)
African music
Adriana Vidović - “Creep” Audicija 4 The Voice Hrvatska Sezona 3
Adriana Vidović - “Believer” Nokaut 3 The Voice Hrvatska Sezona 3
A Fistful of Dollars - The Danish National Symphony Orchestra and Tuva
4 Beautiful Soundtracks Relaxing Piano [10min]
2CELLOS - Whole Lotta Love vs. Beethoven 5th Symphony [OFFICIAL VIDEO]
2CELLOS - Smooth Criminal (Live at Suntory Hall, Tokyo)
2CELLOS - Smells Like Teen Spirit [Live at Sydney Opera House]
2CELLOS - Despacito [OFFICIAL VIDEO]
13 Year Old Girl Playing Il Silenzio (The Silence) - André Rieu
094.All About That Bass
00 - SADNESS PART 1
(Ghost) Riders In the Sky (American Outlaws Live at Nassau Coliseum, 1
(Everything I Do) I Do It For You - Bryan Adams (Boyce Avenue ft. Conn
What a wonderful world
Moon river
×