Taking a weight loss drug can also help reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke and cardiac death, new data shows.
Wegovy, a drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat obesity, lowers the risk of heart-related issues by up to 44% in people who are overweight or obese and without diabetes, according to a study published Thursday.
The study, funded by Novo Nordisk, the maker of Wegovy, looked at over 17,000 people in 41 countries who were over the age of 45 with pre-existing heart disease.
Over a span of, on average, 34 months, the people in the study taking Wegovy not only saw their risk of cardiac complications lower but also saw lower blood pressure levels and weight loss greater than people in the placebo group.
Wegovy is part of a class of drugs called GLP-1 Receptor Agonists that help people increase the amount of insulin in their body to lower the amount of sugar in their blood.
The drugs, known generically as semaglutide, work by slowing down the movement of food through the stomach and curbing appetite, thereby causing weight loss.
Makers of these drugs recommend having a conversation about the side effect profile and personalized risks with a healthcare professional before starting.
Kierstin Luber, DO, MPH, a member of the ABC News Medical Unit, contributed to this report.
According to recent research, using a weight-loss medication can also help lower the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and cardiac death.
The medication Wegovy, which the U.S. S. A study released on Thursday found that treating obesity with medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration can reduce the risk of heart-related problems in those who are overweight or obese but do not have diabetes by up to 44%.
The research, which was supported by Novo Nordisk, the company that makes Wegovy, examined more than 17,000 adults over 45 with a history of heart disease across 41 different nations.
Over the course of the trial, participants on Wegovy experienced greater weight loss and reduced blood pressure in addition to a decreased risk of cardiac complications over an average of 34 months.
Wegovy is a member of the GLP-1 Receptor Agonists drug class, which aids in raising insulin levels in the body to reduce blood sugar levels.
Weight loss is the result of the medications, which are collectively referred to as semaglutide, which slow down food’s passage through the stomach and reduce hunger.
Nearly 17% of the Wegovy users in the recently published study experienced adverse effects, such as cardiac, gastrointestinal, and nervous system problems, which were severe enough to force them to withdraw from the study.
The most often reported side effects of all weight loss medications are constipation and nausea, but there are also reports of irreversible pancreatic and gallbladder diseases.
The manufacturers advise speaking with a healthcare provider before beginning treatment regarding the specific risks and side effect profile.
This article was written with assistance from ABC News Medical Unit member Kierstin Luber, DO, MPH.
