Semaglutide an effective alternative drug option to treat obesity

Obesity is a seriously neglected disease that is factually a multifactorial chronic disease affecting 650 million adults globally. It is associated with a number of physical and mental health complications including risk factors for cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, heart failure, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation.

Weight losses of 5% or more of initial weight help to minimize these complications, with larger losses producing greater health benefits. Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist that was recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for chronic weight management.

Anti-obesity medications (AOM) help facilitate weight management when used with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity by individuals with a body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m 2 or ≥27 kg/m 2 with an obesity-related co- morbidity such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or dyslipidemia. Patients who are unable to achieve weight loss goals with a comprehensive weight loss (e.g., 5% of initial weight loss in 3-6 months) may pursue adjunct treatment with AOM