What Are the Benefits of Ozempic in a Pill?
Drugs containing semaglutide, such as the injectable Ozempic, are a type of medication used for treating type 2 diabetes. They promote the release of insulin by activating receptors for the glucagon-like peptide-1, or GLP-1. In addition, semaglutide reduces appetite, helping people maintain a healthy weight, which is important for managing type 2 diabetes.
A new study of semaglutide finds its effect on blood sugar and appetite is dose-dependent, with higher doses proving more effective than current prescription levels. Semaglutide medications are approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes as an accompaniment to diet and exercise, typically as once-weekly injections or once-daily oral drugs.
For many people with type 2 diabetes and their physicians, oral medications are preferred due to their greater convenience, including not having to get a shot. Currently, oral semaglutide is prescribed in 3 mg, 7 mg, and 14 mg formulations. The new study tests the effectiveness of 14 mg doses against 25 mg and 50 mg formulations. The study was funded by Novo Nordisk — the manufacturer of Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus — and it is published in The Lancet.
Excerpted from Medical News Today
