01/29/2024
Semaglutide: The First New FDA-Approved Weight Loss Medication Since 2014
Key takeaways:
* Semaglutide is the first once-weekly medication in its class that’s FDA-approved to help with chronic weight management. It works best when used in combination with a healthy diet and exercise.
* The largest clinical trial showed that adults taking semaglutide lost an average of almost 15% of their initial body weight — about 12% more than those who didn’t take the medication. Adolescent clinical trials showed an average weight loss of 16%.
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* In June 2021, the FDA approved semaglutide, a once-weekly injection, for chronic weight management in adults when used in combination with a healthy diet and exercise. The medication had made headlines before its approval when the manufacturer reported 15% to 18% weight loss findings during clinical trials. This is higher than we tend to see with other weight loss medications. Since then, semaglutide has also been approved for chronic weight management in adolescents ages 12 and older.
