No more needles? A daily pill may work as well as Wegovy shots to treat obesity

We're starting off today discussing what many in the medical community are calling *** breakthrough in treating obesity. *** drug named Wigo got FDA approval for obesity treatment in individuals above the age of 12. Last December while wave has been showing promising results, another drug under consideration for approval to treat weight loss could work even better. But before we dive into those details, let's first talk *** bit about obesity, the medical community, obesity as having *** body mass index and that's your height to weight ratio calculated over 30. That's Dr Michelle Guy, the director of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She told us that obesity which already affects more than 41% of Americans has been on the uptick. In recent years, we are becoming *** more obesogenic society. We have more access to calorie, dense foods as well as sometimes our infrastructure doesn't support having more access to commuting, walking, having *** more um healthy lifestyle outdoors, Doctor Judith Corner, the founder and director of the Weight Control Center at Columbia University also spoke with Scripps news about obesity, diving into deeper issues that can lead to people gaining weight. It's probably somewhere between 50 to 80%. Um genetic, uh of course that there are other factors. There are environmental issues, you know, socioeconomic issues, life issues, psychological issues. It's really very complex. Doctors guy and corner told us how Waay was originally created to treat diabetes and sold in *** slightly different formula as Ozy and anti diabetic medication. Similar wavy before it was popularized as *** treatment for obesity. There's been *** shortage of Ozy because of *** heightened demand for ways to lose weight. But those who are able to get their hands on with. Again, similar drug are seeing big results with few risks in the past when we compare it to other medicines say such as contra or which have been other medicines that we've had around for weight loss. On average, those are about 7% weight loss and so about 15% weight with wave as *** medication for weight loss is really coming close to what we see with bariatric surgery. Now, another drug under fast track consideration by the FDA for weight loss treatment. Mojo also called TZE has been showing up to 22% weight loss in clinical trials. More than triple what older drugs for obesity promised for patients that could mean an even more effective way of losing weight without invasive surgeries. This has been *** very exciting time for health care practitioners who are trying to treat obesity. Moro's producer, the Eli Lilly company has boosted production of the drug in anticipation of big demand and to bypass any potential supply issues. These new medicines also promise fewer side effects than their predecessors. But behind the breakthrough treatments for obesity are the complex issues of self love, body positivity and how we as *** society view and treat individuals with obesity. Social psychology research suggests that weight and and fatness stigma are among the most powerful and and prejudiced of the the social stigmas. Lisa Leggo, *** psychologist and associate professor at Clarkson University spoke with Scripps news about the psychology behind the body positivity movement and where it began. So it sort of started with effort in the sixties, seventies, eighties among black women living in marginalized bodies to question these narrow standards of beauty. While black women led the charge against largely Eurocentric standards of beauty and body image by general society, things like thinner noses and lips, fairer skin, bigger eyes. The body positivity movement today has expanded even further. And one of the issues it addresses is stigma within the medical community which even doctors admit is *** problem. Weight bias and stigma has been very prevalent. Um starting with, you know, the media and society and of course, then that trickles down to, you know, individuals and humans including physicians and medical providers. Many body positivity advocates claim the medical community shrugs off health issues facing individuals with obesity, associating them all with weight and claiming weight loss as the only solution. These advocates also call for *** re examination of the importance many medical experts place on body mass index or BM I experts like doctors guy and corner agree it's an incomplete metric meant to be used just as *** starting guideline. It's not necessarily an indicator of overall health. Someone can have *** higher BM I, but if they're very athletic, *** lot of that may be muscle and we're not really talking about excess fat, that's where you would have to do more sophisticated considerations of, you know, body composition. While doctors are supposed to consider the bigger picture of someone's health before prescribing anti obesity drugs, some practitioners have also been prescribing these medications to people who don't have obesity and just want to lose weight. Confessions from celebrities like actress Chelsea Handler or Tech Ceo Elon Musk about their use of WAGA has also shined *** spotlight on this issue. Experts. We spoke to warn that these drugs are long term medications and the risks of intermittent use are not clear. We haven't studied this, we haven't studied any weight loss treatments outside of *** really kind of regimented lifestyle interventions with medical supervision. You know, there's always risks for mis dosing, especially with the higher doses, you have risk for nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, which then can be um you know, lead to other medical problems at the heart of this entire issue lies *** conflict between aggressive theories of body positivity and society's historical preference. For thinness, which can understandably create *** lot of fusion for people. Considering treatment for obesity. Each camp can dig into their own views hard with medical providers and individuals who prefer thinness too much on one end. And body positivity advocates who insist on self love above all else on the other. Lego's research into popular body positive messaging explores the complexity behind this issue just like it can be toxic to expect people to be happy all of the time rather than sad. This is actually it turns out not good for overall wellness. It can also feel very stifling or pressuring to always feel like we should be satisfied with our bodies. And that if we're not, we're somehow failing. If we express any degree of dissatisfaction or disappointment, then we're failing to live up to this positivity standard.

What if treating obesity could be as easy as popping an effective pill?That's a notion that has long fueled hope for many of the more than 40% of Americans who are considered obese 鈥� and fueled criticism by those who advocate for wider weight acceptance. Soon, it may be a reality.Video above: Everything you need to know about new breakthrough weight loss drugsHigh-dose oral versions of the medication in the weight-loss drug Wegovy may work as well as the popular injections when it comes to paring pounds and improving health, according to the final results of two studies released Sunday night. The potent tablets also appear to work for people with diabetes, who notoriously struggle to lose weight.Drugmaker Novo Nordisk plans to ask the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to approve the pills later this year."If you ask people a random question, 'Would you rather take a pill or an injection?' People overwhelmingly prefer a pill," said Dr. Daniel Bessesen, chief of endocrinology at Denver Health, who treats patients with obesity but was not involved in the new research.That's assuming, Bessesen said, that both ways to take the medications are equally effective, available and affordable. "Those are the most important factors for people," he said.There have been other weight-loss pills on the market, but none that achieve the substantial reductions seen with injected drugs like Wegovy. People with obesity will be "thrilled" to have an oral option that's as effective, said Dr. Katherine Saunders, clinical professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Health and co-founder of Intellihealth, a company that focuses on obesity treatment.Novo Nordisk already sells Rybelsus, which is approved to treat diabetes and is an oral version of semaglutide, the same medication used in the diabetes drug Ozempic and Wegovy. It comes in doses up to 14 milligrams.But results of two gold-standard trials released at the American Diabetes Association's annual meeting looked at how doses of oral semaglutide as high as 25 milligrams and 50 milligrams worked to reduce weight and improve blood sugar and other health markers.A 16-month study of about 1,600 people who were overweight or had obesity and were already being treated for Type 2 diabetes found the high-dose daily pills lowered blood sugar significantly better than the standard dose of Rybelsus. From a baseline weight of 212 pounds, the higher doses also resulted in weight loss of between 15 pounds to 20 pounds, compared to about 10 pounds on the lower dose.Another 16-month study of more than 660 adults who had obesity or were overweight with at least one related disease 鈥� but not diabetes 鈥� found the 50-milligram daily pill helped people lose an average of about 15% of their body weight, or about 35 pounds (15.88 kilograms), versus about 6 pounds (2.72 kilograms) with a dummy pill, or placebo.That's "notably consistent" with the weight loss spurred by weekly shots of the highest dose of Wegovy, the study authors said.But there were side effects. About 80% of participants receiving any size dose of oral semaglutide experienced things like mild to moderate intestinal problems, such as nausea, constipation and diarrhea.In the 50-milligram obesity trial, there was evidence of higher rates of benign tumors in people who took the drug versus a placebo. In addition, about 13% of those who took the drug had "altered skin sensation" such as tingling or extra sensitivity.Medical experts predict the pills will be popular, especially among people who want to lose weight but are fearful of needles. Plus, tablets would be more portable than injection pens and they don't have to be stored in the refrigerator.But the pills aren't necessarily a better option for the hundreds of thousands of people already taking injectable versions such as Ozempic or Wegovy, said Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity medicine expert at Massachusetts General Hospital."I don't find significant hesitancy surrounding receiving an injection," she said. "A lot of people like the ease of taking a medication once a week."In addition, she said, some patients may actually prefer shots to the new pills, which have to be taken 30 minutes before eating or drinking in the morning.Paul Morer, 56, who works for a New Jersey hospital system, lost 85 pounds using Wegovy and hopes to lose 30 more. He said he would probably stick with the weekly injections, even if pills were available."I do it on Saturday morning. It's part of my routine," he said. "I don't even feel the needle. It's a non-issue."Some critics also worry that a pill will also put pressure on people who are obese to use it, fueling social stigma against people who can't 鈥� or don't want to 鈥� lose weight, said Tigress Osborn, chair of the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance."There is no escape from the narrative that your body is wrong and it should change," Osborn said.Still, Novo Nordisk is banking on the popularity of a higher-dose pill to treat both diabetes and obesity. Sales of Rybelsus reached about $1.63 billion last year, more than double the 2021 figure.Other companies are working on oral versions of drugs that work as well as Eli Lilly and Co.'s Mounjaro 鈥� an injectable diabetes drug expected to be approved for weight loss soon. Lilly researchers reported promising mid-stage trial results for an oral pill called orforglipron to treat patients who are obese or overweight with and without diabetes.Pfizer, too, has released mid-stage results for dangulgipron, an oral drug for diabetes taken twice daily with food.Novo Nordisk officials said it's too early to say what the cost of the firm's high-dose oral pills would be or how the company plans to guarantee adequate manufacturing capacity to meet demand. Despite surging popularity, injectable doses of Wegovy will be in short supply until at least September, company officials said.

What if treating obesity could be as easy as popping an effective pill?

That's a notion that has long fueled hope for many of the more than 40% of Americans who are considered obese 鈥� and fueled criticism by those who advocate for wider weight acceptance. Soon, it may be a reality.

Video above: Everything you need to know about new breakthrough weight loss drugs

High-dose oral versions of the medication in the weight-loss drug Wegovy may work as well as the popular injections when it comes to paring pounds and improving health, according to the final results of two studies released Sunday night. The potent tablets also appear to work for people with diabetes, who notoriously struggle to lose weight.

Drugmaker Novo Nordisk plans to ask the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to approve the pills later this year.

"If you ask people a random question, 'Would you rather take a pill or an injection?' People overwhelmingly prefer a pill," said Dr. Daniel Bessesen, chief of endocrinology at Denver Health, who treats patients with obesity but was not involved in the new research.

That's assuming, Bessesen said, that both ways to take the medications are equally effective, available and affordable. "Those are the most important factors for people," he said.

There have been other weight-loss pills on the market, but none that achieve the substantial reductions seen with injected drugs like Wegovy. People with obesity will be "thrilled" to have an oral option that's as effective, said Dr. Katherine Saunders, clinical professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Health and co-founder of Intellihealth, a company that focuses on obesity treatment.

Novo Nordisk already sells Rybelsus, which is approved to treat diabetes and is an oral version of semaglutide, the same medication used in the diabetes drug Ozempic and Wegovy. It comes in doses up to 14 milligrams.

But results of two gold-standard trials released at the American Diabetes Association's annual meeting looked at how doses of oral semaglutide as high as 25 milligrams and 50 milligrams worked to reduce weight and improve blood sugar and other health markers.

A 16-month study of about 1,600 people who were overweight or had obesity and were already being treated for Type 2 diabetes found the high-dose daily pills lowered blood sugar significantly better than the standard dose of Rybelsus. From a baseline weight of 212 pounds, the higher doses also resulted in weight loss of between 15 pounds to 20 pounds, compared to about 10 pounds on the lower dose.

Another 16-month study of more than 660 adults who had obesity or were overweight with at least one related disease 鈥� but not diabetes 鈥� found the 50-milligram daily pill helped people lose an average of about 15% of their body weight, or about 35 pounds (15.88 kilograms), versus about 6 pounds (2.72 kilograms) with a dummy pill, or placebo.

That's "notably consistent" with the weight loss spurred by weekly shots of the highest dose of Wegovy, the study authors said.

But there were side effects. About 80% of participants receiving any size dose of oral semaglutide experienced things like mild to moderate intestinal problems, such as nausea, constipation and diarrhea.

In the 50-milligram obesity trial, there was evidence of higher rates of benign tumors in people who took the drug versus a placebo. In addition, about 13% of those who took the drug had "altered skin sensation" such as tingling or extra sensitivity.

Medical experts predict the pills will be popular, especially among people who want to lose weight but are fearful of needles. Plus, tablets would be more portable than injection pens and they don't have to be stored in the refrigerator.

But the pills aren't necessarily a better option for the hundreds of thousands of people already taking injectable versions such as Ozempic or Wegovy, said Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity medicine expert at Massachusetts General Hospital.

"I don't find significant hesitancy surrounding receiving an injection," she said. "A lot of people like the ease of taking a medication once a week."

In addition, she said, some patients may actually prefer shots to the new pills, which have to be taken 30 minutes before eating or drinking in the morning.

Paul Morer, 56, who works for a New Jersey hospital system, lost 85 pounds using Wegovy and hopes to lose 30 more. He said he would probably stick with the weekly injections, even if pills were available.

"I do it on Saturday morning. It's part of my routine," he said. "I don't even feel the needle. It's a non-issue."

Some critics also worry that a pill will also put pressure on people who are obese to use it, fueling social stigma against people who can't 鈥� or don't want to 鈥� lose weight, said Tigress Osborn, chair of the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance.

"There is no escape from the narrative that your body is wrong and it should change," Osborn said.

Still, Novo Nordisk is banking on the popularity of a higher-dose pill to treat both diabetes and obesity. Sales of Rybelsus reached about $1.63 billion last year, more than double the 2021 figure.

Other companies are working on oral versions of drugs that work as well as Eli Lilly and Co.'s Mounjaro 鈥� an injectable diabetes drug expected to be approved for weight loss soon. Lilly researchers reported promising mid-stage trial results for an oral pill called orforglipron to treat patients who are obese or overweight with and without diabetes.

Pfizer, too, has released mid-stage results for dangulgipron, an oral drug for diabetes taken twice daily with food.

Novo Nordisk officials said it's too early to say what the cost of the firm's high-dose oral pills would be or how the company plans to guarantee adequate manufacturing capacity to meet demand. Despite surging popularity, injectable doses of Wegovy will be in short supply until at least September, company officials said.

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