The next Ozempic: Arlington doctors test new wave of weight-loss drugs

Diabetes drug Ozempic has been a game changer in the fight against obesity, alongside its counterpart Wegovy, which is approved for weight loss.

Doctors are now testing new drugs that work the same way and could provide even better results. Here’s a look at the latest research and why it could lead to lower prices of expensive injections.

Marleen Greenleaf, of Fort Washington, Maryland, lost more than 40 pounds while taking Wegovy.

I no longer show any signs of diabetes. I am more active. I can go out and do things I never thought I would do, she said.

Lisa Robillard, of Alexandria, Virginia, first took the drug as part of a clinical trial. After struggling with her weight since childhood, she lost 60 pounds.

For the first time, I left food on my plate. For the first time, I was, OK, I’m full, she said.

Dr. Domenica Rubino, director of the Washington Center for Weight Management and Research in Arlington, was involved in early research on the drugs, before they came to market.

We were totally thrilled, she said of the results.

The average weight loss of patients was 15%. This loss improves blood sugar, blood pressure and fatty liver disease, and helps reduce joint pain, Rubino said.

Both Ozempic and Wegovy are made by Novo Nordisk and use a key ingredient called semaglutide. It targets an area of ​​the brain that helps regulate your appetite and keep you feeling fuller for longer.

“What we really need is more tools”

Rubino and his team are now testing a new wave of drugs to see if they can help people with chronic obesity lose even more weight.

The results look very promising and it looks like it’s taking us beyond what we’ve seen in average weight loss for semaglutide, she said. We actually see an average weight loss of 20% or more. And a lot of people manage to reach 25%.

Side effects of medications already on the market can include nausea, vomiting, vision changes, and kidney problems. In severe cases, Ozempic and Wegovy could cause intestinal blockages, according to the drug’s warning label.

This is why these clinical trials are so important.

The Rubinos Center is actively recruiting people for four different trials. They are studying combinations of semaglutide with new gastrointestinal hormones that work to reduce hunger.

It will take several more years for new drugs to be approved by the FDA, Rubino said. They could provide more options for doctors and patients.

What we really need is more tools, because we have to remember that not everyone responds to the same medication. We are biologically different, she said.

With more options, this could lead to better prices. Weekly injections of Ozempic and Wegovy cost more than $1,000 a month and are generally not covered by insurance, making them out of reach for many Americans.

It’s a health issue, Rubino said. It’s not about losing weight. It’s not about fitting your designer dress. And I can’t stress this enough. We are changing people’s lives with these new medicines.

In early November, the FDA approved a new weight-loss drug. Zepbound, from drugmaker Eli Lilly, promises to be the most effective drug yet. In clinical trials, people lost 52 pounds on average. It should be available after Thanksgiving.