Semaglutide for managing overweight and obesity

In September, semaglutide (Wegovy) became available on the NHS for the treatment of weight management. Wegovy, licensed for weight management, differs from Ozempic (also semaglutide), which is only licensed for treating type 2 diabetes.

Clinical trials have shown that, after one year, a 15 per cent reduction in body weight can be achieved when Wegovy users take the medication alongside increased physical activity, diet modification and behavioural support.

NICE recommends that Wegovy is used:

• For a maximum of two years, and within a specialist weight management service providing multidisciplinary management of overweight or obesity (including but not limited to tiers 3 and 4), and
• Users have at least one weight-related comorbidity and:
• A body mass index (BMI) of at least 35.0kg/m², or
• A BMI of 30.0kg/m² to 34.9kg/m² and meet the criteria for referral to specialist weight management services in NICE’s guideline Obesity: identification, assessment and management.

Prior to the commercial availability of Wegovy, Ozempic had been used off-label for weight management.