The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved Wegovy (semaglutide) for a new purpose: to help reduce the risk of heart problems in people who are overweight or obese.
Specifically, the drug has been approved for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 27 or over who have already been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease. This marks the first time a weight-loss drug has been approved in the UK as a preventative treatment for those with established cardiovascular disease.
The approval was based on a study that found Wegovy, taken as a weekly injection for up to five years, could lower the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events like heart attack and stroke by 20%.
While this is a significant step, it’s important to note that before Wegovy can be widely used in the National Health Service (NHS), it still needs to be appraised by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
Overall, In addition to weight management, Wegovy is now approved to lower the risk of major cardiovascular events (such as heart attack, stroke, or death) in adults with known heart disease and with either obesity or overweight.
Important: Please note that Wegovy is a prescription medication and should only be used under the supervision of a healthcare professional. It’s important to discuss the potential benefits and risks with your doctor to determine if it’s right for you.