Lecture Notes: Weight Loss Drugs - Manjaro and Ozempic

Introduction

• Manjaro and Ozempic are popular drugs in the fight against obesity.
• New report suggests one is more effective than the other.

Effectiveness Comparison

• Analysis of real-world data from 18,000 overweight adults over a year.
• Findings: Manjaro vs. Ozempic
  • Manjaro users were 3x more likely to lose 15% of their body weight.
  • Manjaro users were 2.5x more likely to lose 10% of their body weight.
• Echoes previous research supporting Manjaro’s effectiveness over Ozempic.

Drug Administration

• Both drugs are administered through weekly injections.
• Currently FDA approved only for type 2 diabetes, not weight loss.

Patient Experiences

• Example: Tara Rothen Hofer lost over 200 pounds in a clinical trial of Manjaro over three years.
• Patients report increased feelings of satisfaction and reduced hunger.

Mechanism of Action

• Manjaro
  • Mimics hormones in the gut tied to appetite.
  • Works on two hormones.
• Ozempic
  • Mimics hormones in the gut tied to appetite.
  • Works on one hormone.

Future Prospects

• Eli Lilly (maker of Manjaro) to release an FDA-approved weight loss version called Zeb Bound.
• Novo Nordisk (maker of Ozempic) states Ozempic is meant for type 2 diabetes; Wegovy is their approved weight loss drug, similar to Ozempic but at a higher dose.

Safety and Side Effects

• Unknown safety in healthy individuals using these drugs for weight loss.
• Potential side effects: gastrointestinal distress, nausea, vomiting.
• Weight regain likely after stopping medication.
• Recommendation to use under a doctor's guidance familiar with risks and side effects.

Cost and Insurance

• High cost (hundreds of dollars per week).
• Insurance covers if used for diabetes, not weight loss unless there are other conditions.
• Future affordability considerations:
  • Pill forms could potentially cost less than injectable forms.
  • Medicare currently barred from covering weight loss drugs due to past issues (e.g., fen-phen).
  • Legislative changes required for Medicare to cover these drugs.

Conclusion

• Early days of potentially significant changes in healthcare and economy.
• High healthcare costs in the U.S.

Additional Information

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