New Weight Loss Drug Approved By FDA: Is It Right for You? | VIDEO

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[CUIMC|VIDEO] More than 70% of U.S. adults are carrying extra weight, increasing their risk for chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart and liver disease, arthritis, and some cancers.

Weight loss has been shown to reduce that risk. But while the number of people trying to lose weight has risen in recent years, one national study has found that two-thirds of those who lose weight rapidly regain the weight.

“Obesity is a heterogeneous disease with many different causes, and what helps one person lose weight may not work well for another person,” says endocrinologist Judith Korner, MD, PhD, professor of medicine at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and director of the Metabolic and Weight Control Center at Columbia.

Now, people who are trying to lose weight have a new option—a medication called Wegovy (semaglutide) that is injected under the skin once a week. The medication received FDA approval earlier this summer.

In a 68-week placebo-controlled trial(link is external and opens in a new window) of nearly 2,000 participants with a body mass index of at least 27, the semaglutide group had an average weight loss of nearly 15% versus 2.4% in the placebo group. (Both groups also dieted and exercised.) In comparison, average weight loss with other medications is 4% to 11%. [FULLSTORY]

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Important Note: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. If you are considering using any weight loss drug, it is essential to consult with a licensed healthcare professional first to determine if it is safe and appropriate for you.