Language
Country/Area
No result found
What is Semaglutide? How is this drug changing the modern treatment paradigm?
Semaglutide is an antidiabetic drug designed to treat type 2 diabetes and for long-term weight management. This drug is similar to the intestinal endocrine hormone GLP-1, with specific modifications to its side chain structure, and can be taken via subcutaneous injection or oral administration. Semaglutide, produced by Novo Nordisk, is marketed under the brand names Ozempic and Rybelsus for diabetes treatment and as Wegovy for weight management.
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that has multiple effects of lowering blood sugar, controlling appetite, and helping with weight loss.
This drug was approved for medical use in the United States in 2017 and became the 48th most prescribed drug in the United States in 2022, with a total of more than 13 million prescriptions. The main working mechanism of Semaglutide is to imitate GLP-1, promoting the secretion of insulin by enhancing the growth of pancreatic beta cells, while inhibiting the production of glucagon, thereby effectively reducing blood sugar levels. Additionally, it reduces food intake, reduces appetite, slows gastric emptying, and accelerates weight loss.
Medical purposes
In the United States, semaglutide is indicated for use as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes. It is also used to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease. In addition, the application of Semaglutide in weight control cannot be underestimated, especially for adults with cardiovascular disease and obesity or overweight.
As of March 2024, the FDA expanded the indications for semaglutide to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack, and stroke.
Side effects and contraindications
The side effects of Semaglutide include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and constipation. The most common adverse reactions include these digestive system problems. Gastroparesis was diagnosed in 0.1% of patients using this drug. Because of possible side effects, such as thyroid C-cell tumors, semaglutide is contraindicated in individuals with a history of thyroid tumors.
Mechanism of action
Semaglutide works by acting as a GLP-1 receptor agonist by reducing blood sugar. This is due to its similarity to GLP-1 and helps lower blood sugar by promoting insulin production and inhibiting glucagon secretion. In addition, Semaglutide reduces appetite and reduces food intake, which is important for patients who want to lose weight.
Research and Progress
Since the 1970s, many research groups began exploring the potential of GLP-1 hormones, ultimately leading to the development of semaglutide. The drug's API (active pharmaceutical ingredient) has demonstrated its effectiveness in numerous clinical trials, including reducing the risk of cardiovascular events and having a significant positive impact on glycemic control in patients with diabetes. Research in recent years has even pointed out that semaglutide may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease and may also be helpful for patients with alcohol dependence.
Semaglutide’s success and clinical evidence show that it not only changes the treatment of diabetes and obesity, but also provides new ideas for future drug development.
Market and Economic Impact
Semaglutide’s high demand and relatively high market price have attracted attention. Currently, in the United States, the monthly selling prices of Ozempic and Wegovy are US$936 and US$1349.02 respectively. High prices make these medications unaffordable for many patients who need them. Recent supply shortages indicate that demand for the drug exceeds production capacity. In order to meet the huge market demand, Novo Nordisk is continuously expanding its production facilities.
Future Outlook
Because Semaglutide has shown multiple benefits in clinical studies, the drug has great potential for future development. However, its high cost and market supply are also worrying. With a focus on cost-effectiveness and broader market access, semaglutide could become an important weapon in improving human health beyond just diabetes control or weight loss.
As Semaglutide attracts more and more attention, can this drug change the treatment strategies and trends of modern medical treatment? It has become a question worth pondering?
