For many individuals using weight loss medications, a new development may soon simplify their treatment regimen. Pharmaceutical giants Pfizer and Amgen are working on monthly GLP-1 injections, a shift from the current weekly injections like Wegovy and Zepbound. This innovation aims to make these medications more convenient and easier to adhere to over time.
Convenience in Weight Loss Treatment
Dr. Christopher McGowan, a gastroenterologist from Cary, North Carolina, emphasizes the importance of reducing the frequency of doses. “The more frequently a medication must be taken, the more opportunities there are to miss doses or stop treatment altogether,” he noted. Dr. John Buse, an endocrinologist at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, added that patients are enthusiastic about the idea of a monthly injection, as it reduces the number of yearly injections from 52 to just 12.
GLP-1 drugs, including semaglutide in Ozempic and Wegovy, work by binding to receptors that regulate blood sugar and hunger. Pfizer’s experimental drug, berobenatide, has been engineered to remain active in the body longer by attaching to a blood protein called albumin, which slows down its breakdown. Early trial results presented at the American Diabetes Association’s annual conference showed promising weight loss and blood sugar management outcomes.
Amgen’s Approach and Future Prospects
Amgen’s monthly GLP-1 drug, MariTide, uses an antibody to prolong its presence in the body. Unlike other drugs, it blocks the GIP receptor, which has shown to aid in weight loss, though the exact mechanism remains unclear. A midstage trial indicated that MariTide helped patients lose up to 20% of their body weight over 52 weeks.
Amgen is exploring whether MariTide could be administered even less frequently, such as every two or three months, and whether it could address obesity-related conditions like heart disease and sleep apnea. Dr. Susan Spratt from Duke Health suggests that while less frequent dosing could benefit some, others might need the routine of more regular doses to stay on track.
As these developments unfold, patients like Taylor McDaniels from Pittsburgh express interest in the monthly option, though they remain cautious about potential side effects and the effectiveness of the new regimen compared to existing treatments.
Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
