NHS Approves Triple-Strength Wegovy for Enhanced Weight Loss

The National Health Service (NHS) has officially approved a new, higher strength of the weight-loss medication Wegovy, enabling patients to potentially lose over a fifth of their body weight. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) announced that the 7.2 mg dose of semaglutide, previously only available as a maximum 2.4 mg dose, can now be administered as a maintenance treatment.

This decision follows the results from the STEP UP clinical trial, which demonstrated that the higher dose facilitated an average weight loss of approximately 20.7 percent when combined with a balanced diet and regular exercise. Notably, around one-third of the trial participants—who all had a body mass index (BMI) exceeding 30—achieved a weight reduction of 25 percent or more over a period of 72 weeks compared to those receiving a placebo.

Understanding the New Treatment Option

Currently, the 7.2 mg dose is delivered through three separate injections. However, Novo Nordisk, the pharmaceutical company behind Wegovy, has sought approval for a single injection that would administer the full dose at once, which is anticipated to be available later this year. Clinical findings from the STEP UP trial suggest that the 7.2 mg dosage could be beneficial for patients who have plateaued on the standard 2.4 mg maintenance dose for at least four weeks.

“This approval represents another important step in Novo Nordisk supporting people living with obesity to achieve meaningful and significant weight loss,” stated Sebnem Avsar Tuna, General Manager of Novo Nordisk UK. The new dosage provides healthcare professionals with additional flexibility to tailor treatment plans, ultimately aiming to improve health outcomes for those affected by obesity.

Two significant international studies have previously indicated that increasing the dose to 7.2 mg leads to markedly greater weight loss while maintaining safety. This ‘mega dose’ may offer a new avenue for individuals who have not achieved sufficient weight loss through standard treatments, including those living with type 2 diabetes.

Concerns Over Tolerability and Accessibility

Despite the promising data, some experts express caution regarding the higher dose. Professor Alex Miras, an obesity specialist at Imperial College London, noted that while tripling the dose may yield marginally better results, the jump from 2.4 mg to 7.2 mg is substantial. He voiced concerns that many patients might struggle to tolerate the increased dosage, as individuals often find it challenging to manage the standard dose.

Even with the approval of the 7.2 mg dose, uptake may be limited due to potential side effects and cost implications. The current top dose is already expensive, which could hinder accessibility for many patients seeking effective weight-loss solutions.

Semaglutide belongs to a new category of medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, which function by mimicking a gut hormone that regulates appetite and blood sugar levels. The drug is marketed as Ozempic for diabetes management and Wegovy for weight control, and it has significantly transformed the landscape of obesity treatment, leading to increased demand and discussions about equitable access.

In the UK, fewer than 200,000 individuals are currently thought to be receiving weight-loss injections through the NHS, while over 1.4 million people are estimated to be using these treatments privately, according to research from the health think tank The King’s Fund. As the NHS pushes forward with the introduction of the triple-strength Wegovy, the implications for patients struggling with obesity are substantial, promising new opportunities for effective management of their health.