Obesity is the biggest risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
Imagine a drug that can tackle both: obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Novo Nordisk’s drugs, semaglutide and liraglutide, may be able to help with that. These drugs are in the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist class. GLP-1 is a hormone that increases insulin. Insulin enables the body to turn sugar into energy, so without insulin, blood sugar levels will rise. A high blood sugar level is detrimental, as it could lead to damage in the blood vessels. The blood will not be able to flow properly to vital organs and therefore causes diseases in various organs, such as the skin, eye, and kidney.
Semaglutide is manufactured under two brand names, Rybelsus and Ozempic. Rybelsus is the oral tablet, whereas Ozempic is the injectable version. Rybelsus is extra special because patients can take it orally without having to inject themselves like they do with most diabetes medications. Semaglutide has been FDA approved for both type 2 diabetes and obesity. Many type 2 diabetics are obese, so semaglutide serves as a favorable treatment option. If that wasn’t enough, semaglutide is currently in phase 3 clinical trials to be used as a treatment for Alzheimer’s.
Liraglutide is also manufactured under two brand names, Victoza and Saxenda. Victoza is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes, whereas Saxenda is approved to treat obesity. The only difference between Victoza and Saxenda is the dose.
The only drawback, like most drugs, is the price. Insurance companies used to be hesitant about covering obesity medications. They felt like they were just paying for someone to look good in a bikini. However, an increasing number of insurance companies are starting to realize how important combating obesity is. Obesity itself could lead to so many other diseases and expensive costs, such as hospitalizations and surgeries.
Unfortunately, obesity and diabetes in America are only increasing. With insurance companies’ increasing approval of covering these expensive drugs, it is safe to say that Novo Nordisk’s medications will always be needed.