2024-03-05 01:00:55
Weight loss injections like Wegovy are very popular. Now a new active ingredient could be added. According to an initial study, it is five times more effective than competing products.
Obesity is widespread in Germany: around two thirds of men and half of women are overweight, almost a quarter are obese, i.e. very overweight. This has various consequences for health. Being overweight increases the risk of high blood pressure, chronic inflammation and metabolic disorders.
Since changing your lifestyle with a healthy diet and exercise reduces weight in the long term, but rather slowly, weight loss injections like Wegovy are very attractive for many people. Because they are intended to reduce body weight and especially body fat in a short time. Now there could be another weight loss injection that greatly outperforms the old remedies.
VK2735 could help you lose weight even faster
The reason: The new drug VK2735 shows success in the treatment of overweight and obesity in a current study by the biotech company Viking Therapeutics.
In the study, the company tested the drug on 174 adults. 140 overweight or obese subjects received the weight-loss injection weekly for 13 weeks, and 34 study participants received a placebo. The result:
- Participants who received the highest dose of the active ingredient once a week (15 milligrams) lost an average of almost 15 kilograms (14.7 percent of their body weight).
- Subjects who received the lowest dose once a week (2.5 milligrams) lost an average of 9.2 kilograms of weight (9.1 percent).
- Study participants who received a placebo only lost their weight by 1.8 kilograms, or 1.7 percent.
Side effects are comparable to Wegovy
For comparison: To lose 15 percent of body weight with semaglutide – the active ingredient in Wegovy – you have to inject the drug at least once a week for 68 weeks. This means that the new drug VK2735 could work five times faster. Additionally, according to Viking Therapeutics, there is evidence that people who take VK2735 for longer than 13 weeks can lose even more weight.
In addition to effectiveness, the company also examined possible side effects. Overall, the study concludes that VK2735 is safe and well tolerated for overweight people without diabetes. However, mild to moderate side effects can still occur. The most common were – similar to semaglutide – diarrhea, nausea, constipation and vomiting.
It is not possible at this time to make any statements about how weight loss injections will affect the body in the long term. They haven’t been on the market long enough for that.
Info: Active ingredient still in the development phase
The drug VK2735 is currently still in the development phase. The current study is a so-called phase II study, in which the active ingredient candidate is being used for the first time on patients who suffer from the disease that the drug is later intended to treat. In this phase, the active ingredient is examined for its effectiveness, tolerability and dosage. Before approval can occur, a phase III study must be carried out. The drug is being tested on a larger group of patients to see whether its effectiveness and safety can be confirmed in many different patients.
What is VK2735 and how does it work?
VK2735 is a so-called analogue of the body’s own hormone. This means that, similar to tirzepatide, VK2735 mimics the effects of two hormones: glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP).
Info: GLP-1 and GIP
The Glucagon-like Peptid 1 is a hormone produced in the intestines that plays an important role in controlling glucose metabolism and gastric emptying.
The Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide is also produced in the intestine. It causes the release of insulin after eating and is therefore important for the feeling of satiety.
This happens because VK2735 occupies the binding sites, the so-called receptors, for these hormones. Therefore it is also called a GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist. In this way, VK2735 can lower blood sugar levels, improve the effects of insulin (insulin sensitivity) and reduce appetite in diabetics or people who are overweight.
Weight loss injections are not miracle cures
Even if the new study results look promising, it should not be forgotten that all of these injections are medications that are intended to help with severe forms of obesity. They are not lifestyle products. Therefore, experts from the German Society for Endocrinology and the German Obesity Society strongly advised against using already approved active ingredients without experienced medical supervision.
In addition to the possible side effects, there can definitely be a habituation effect. This means that if you stop taking the active ingredient, the yo-yo effect can occur and you will gain weight again. That’s why you should never view the injections as a replacement for healthy lifestyle habits. Sufficient exercise, behavioral therapy and nutritional advice are essential and should always be used alongside the injection.