(WGN Radio) – Injectable GLP-1 medicines, like Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy and Zepbound, have been the topic of loads of pleasure – a few of it earned, a few of it due to myths circulating about these so-called marvel medication.
The category of medication, which both include semaglutide or tirzepatide, began as methods to deal with diabetes, defined Dr. Sterling Elliott, a scientific pharmacist at Northwestern Drugs and assistant professor of orthopedics at Northwestern College Feinberg Faculty of Drugs.
Now, there are variations of the medicines which can be FDA-approved for weight reduction and to deal with weight problems.
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Whereas all these therapies are extra accessible than they’ve been in years prior, one misunderstanding about them is that they’re straightforward to get, Elliott mentioned. A month’s provide prices round $1,000 with out insurance coverage. Sufferers might have luck getting insurance coverage to cowl one of many medication if it’s being prescribed to deal with diabetes, however those that need to use the medicine for weight reduction are likely to have extra hassle getting protection.
“As we’re these, we’re watching our sufferers have issue navigating by means of these points,” mentioned Elliott.
One other concern is proscribed availability. Nearly all dosages of the 4 model names are listed as “at the moment in scarcity” by the FDA. Eli Lilly, the pharmaceutical firm behind Zepbound and Mounjaro, informed NBC Information provide points may final into 2025.
Zepbound scarcity: Weight reduction medication’ restricted availability to proceed, Eli Lilly says
Maybe the most important fantasy of all surrounding the medication is that they’ll work miracles for weight reduction, with out modifications to eating regimen or train habits.
“I believe it doesn’t matter what you do to reduce weight, eating regimen and train – nutritious diet and good, stable train – are at all times going to be staples of weight reduction,” Elliott mentioned. “These medication will make it easier to begin your means on that course of. However in case you don’t change your habits, you’re not going to remain that means very lengthy.”
Hearken to Dr. Elliott’s full interview with WGN Radio within the audio participant beneath.
Research have discovered that a lot of those that cease utilizing the weekly injections regain a lot of the load they misplaced.
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