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How do the weight loss injections work, what are the doses, how do you take them, when can you stop, is a diet necessary, how much will it cost and who will give you a prescription? Here are all the answers to all the questions:
What are weight loss injections?
These are drugs developed by the Danish “Novo Nordisk”, which specializes in preparations for diabetics. The drugs were originally intended for diabetics, and they mimic a hormone called GLP1 that is designed to lower blood sugar levels. From the patients’ reports, it became clear that the treatment also leads to appetite suppression and significant weight loss, which led to the development of a groundbreaking line of treatments for weight loss.
What weight loss injections are there on the market?
The first injection developed was Saxenda, which led to a loss of about 8% of body weight. During the marketing of Saxenda, it was found that the “Ozmepic” injection, which is intended for diabetics, also resulted in a greater decrease in body weight and significant appetite suppression. Later, the new drug Vigobi was developed, in a higher dose. This shot was found to be the most effective for weight loss. Recently it was also found that the injection also reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
How does the drug work in the body?
The GLP1 molecule on which the injection is based, works in a multi-system way: it increases the secretion of the hormone insulin from the pancreas according to the level of glucose in the blood. The higher the sugar level, the more insulin the molecule causes to be secreted, which in turn reduces sugar levels by getting it into the body’s cells.
The drug works by another mechanism in which it decreases the secretion of another hormone called glucagon which increases the production of glucose and its release into the blood from the glucose stores in the liver. The hormone usually works when glucose levels drop, and the body protects itself by causing the release of glucose from the liver into the blood.
The GLP1 molecule works in another pathway – which resulted in the weight loss effect: it slows down the emptying of the stomach and leads to appetite suppression and an increase in the feeling of satiety through an effect on the hunger center in the brain. In a mechanism whose action is still unclear, the molecule also reduces cravings for high-fat foods.
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What is the dose of the injection?
The dosage of the Vigobi injection is 2.4 milligrams, compared to Ozpic which has a dosage of only 1 milligram. The drug is taken in a gradually increasing dose, to reduce the side effects. The starting dose is 0.25 milligrams once a week by injection into the stomach.
How do you purchase Wegobi?
The medicine will be given under the prescription of a private doctor. The doctors in the health insurance funds are not obliged to prescribe the medicine, and it depends on the consent of the doctor you consulted.
When will it be possible to get Wigobi?
The injection will gradually be available in pharmacies in Israel starting next week. However, due to the great lack of inventory all over the world, there may be a shortage of the injection, as was the case with the Ozmpic injection at the beginning of its journey in Israel.
How much does Wigobi cost?
The initial dose of 0.25 mg will cost NIS 600. The final dose to continue with will cost NIS 1,250.
How long should the treatment be continued?
Treatment with weight loss injections continues as long as weight loss is needed. The treatment can be stopped at any time, but it is important to remember that the studies showed that those who stopped the treatment tended to gain the weight back.
What are the side effects of weight loss injections?
Common side effects include bloating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. Some patients report a reluctance to certain foods and an “attraction” to sweet foods, possibly due to the drop in blood sugar levels caused by the drug.
Is the injection dangerous for chronic patients?
The injection is considered very safe even for chronic patients. Furthermore, this year the manufacturer Novonordisk reported even more encouraging findings: the Vigobi injection also reduces the risk of strokes and heart attacks by 20% in overweight people with a history of heart disease.
How long does the drug take effect?
Wegobi has an effect within one to two days. When you reach the optimal dose of 2.4 milligrams, appetite suppression should start very quickly, and last for about a week.
Is a lifestyle change necessary?
The weight loss injections are not miracle cures: without adherence to a healthy lifestyle that includes proper nutrition and physical activity, the medicine will not have an effect. The uniqueness of Vigobi is that it helps the process of losing weight, but as mentioned in order to lose weight, a change in lifestyle is necessary.