Weight Loss Injections: Experts Call for Mounjaro & Wegovy to be First-Line Obesity Treatment
London, UK – In a critically important shift in obesity treatment protocols, leading medical experts are advocating for weight loss injections like Mounjaro and Wegovy to become the primary treatment option for the vast majority of patients struggling with the condition. New guidance released by the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) highlights the drugs’ remarkable effectiveness and associated health benefits, perhaps revolutionizing how obesity is managed globally.
The EASO guidelines,published in Nature Medicine,praise semaglutide (found in Wegovy and Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) as “powerful slimming aids” capable of considerably reducing the risk of complications linked to obesity,including high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. Studies demonstrate remarkable results: adults using semaglutide injections have experienced an average of 14% body weight loss over 72 weeks, while those using tirzepatide achieved even more substantial reductions - 20% over the same period.
“These drugs are fully transforming the care of obesity and its complications,” stated Dr. Andreea Ciudin, co-first author of the guidance and researcher at the Autonomous University of Barcelona. “even though there are several options on the market, the reality is that semaglutide and tirzepatide are so effective that they should be the first choice in almost all cases.”
Accessibility Remains a Key Challenge
Despite their proven efficacy, access to these medications remains limited. Currently, only an estimated 1.5 million of the 16 million obese adults in Britain utilize these injections, and most obtain them privately at a cost of around £200 per month. This disparity has fueled concerns about health inequality.
The call for wider access is gaining momentum within the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting recently pledged to roll out weight loss injections to millions more patients, stating it is indeed “unfair” that the benefits are currently limited to those who can afford private treatment. “Weight-loss jabs could help us finally defeat obesity,” Streeting declared at the Labor Party conference. “Our mission is to ensure that the best science, the best healthcare and the best innovations are available not just to some, but to all.”
New Algorithm to Guide Treatment Decisions
The EASO guidelines also introduce a new algorithm designed to assist doctors in selecting the most appropriate weight loss treatment based on a patient’s individual weight and associated health conditions. While tirzepatide and semaglutide are recommended as the “medications of choice” for substantial weight loss, the algorithm acknowledges that other options – including liraglutide, naltrexone-bupropion, and phentermine-topiramate – may be suitable when lesser weight loss is the goal.
beyond Weight loss: Emerging Health Benefits
The guidance notes growing evidence suggesting that these injections offer health benefits extending beyond weight reduction itself. However,researchers emphasize the need for further studies to fully understand the scope of these additional advantages.
This new guidance represents a pivotal moment in the fight against obesity, signaling a potential paradigm shift towards more effective and accessible treatment options. As research continues and access expands, these medications could play a crucial role in improving public health outcomes and enhancing the quality of life for millions worldwide.
Keywords: Obesity, Weight Loss, Mounjaro, Wegovy, Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, Diabetes, NHS, Health, Medical Guidelines, EASO, Weight
