Weight Loss Jab Approved For Use In European Countries
Anish Vij
Featured Image Credit: Alamy
A potential 'game changing' obesity drug has now been approved for use in EU countries.
The new 'weight loss injection' basically works by suppressing people's appetites, which will ultimately help people loose weight.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) confirmed that the new drug called 'Wegovy' has been given the green light.
EMA say those who qualify for the jab will have 'a BMI of 30 kg/m² or greater (obesity) or a BMI of at least 27 kg/m² but less than 30 kg/m² (overweight) who have weight-related health problems (such as diabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal levels of fats in the blood, breathing problems during sleep called ‘obstructive sleep apnoea’ or a history of heart attack, stroke or blood vessel problems)'.
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The way it works is, Wegovy would be 'injected once a week under the skin in the abdomen, thigh or upper arm'.
The EMA say that 'patients can administer the medicine themselves' and that 'the medicine can only be obtained with a prescription'.
'Studies have shown that Wegovy is effective in helping people lose weight, with a significant proportion of them achieving at least a 5% weight reduction,' according to EMA.
Like with every drug, there can be side effects, the most common ones being 'headache, nausea (feeling sick), vomiting, diarrhoea, constipations and abdominal (belly) pain'. These side effects 'may affect more than 1 in 10 people'.
The agency added: 'Obesity can lead to severe health problems and many obese people experience difficulty trying to lose weight. Wegovy is effective at reducing weight, and the side effects are manageable.
'The European Medicines Agency decided that Wegovy’s benefits are greater than its risks and it can be authorised for use in the EU.'
In the UK, Boots is now selling an NHS-approved injection, called Liraglutide (commonly known as Saxenda).
It's available to buy at Boots and Lloyds Pharmacy stores across the UK without a prescription.
The NHS website reads: 'Liraglutide is a weight loss medicine that works by making you feel fuller and less hungry.
'It's taken as an injection once a day. Your doctor or nurse will show you how to take it.
'You can usually only take liraglutide if it's prescribed for you by a specialist weight management service.'
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