Endocrine Society statement highlights key research gaps on obesity drugs—who benefits, long-term dosing, safety, and measuring success beyond weight loss.
News|Slideshows|August 9, 2023
Prescription "Weight Loss" Drugs: Americans Voice an Opinion
Author(s)Grace Halsey
Most Americans are aware of the hot prescription drugs associated with weight loss and many are interested in using them. But access and administration are problematic.
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The explosion of media around the glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist semaglutide , approved in 2017 as Ozempic for type 2 diabetes and most recently in 2021 as Wegovy for chronic weight management in adults with overweight/obesity shows no signs of abating. Both brand names have become synonymous with shedding pounds.
The most recent Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) Health Tracking Poll gauged awareness of the weight loss drugs among a representative sample of US adults and asked them whether they had issues with weight and whether they would consider using a "weight loss" medication. Questions then turned to issues including how the drug is administered and insurance coverage and the level of interest in the proposed medications shifted.
Here is a topline look at the findings.
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