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Obesity is a chronic disease, and more British people than ever are now living with severe obesity. One of the challenges of weight loss is the body's own biology. When you try to lose weight, your body will try to hold on to its fat stores - this is what nature has coded it to do to survive in times of crisis.
Nevertheless, it can make it difficult to lose weight, but a new Danish drug developed by Novo Nordisk has proven effective when weight loss becomes a challenge. Wegovy® is one of the medications used for medical weight loss - and is something we use here at Embla.
Find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Wegovy® here and learn whether you are suitable for a medical weight loss program.
Yes. Wegovy was made available in the UK in September 2023.
The medication treats obesity and mimics the body's appetite-regulating hormones. It reduces feelings of hunger and increases your sense of fullness when you eat, as long as you are on treatment.
Studies have shown that the combination of obesity medication and exercise is twice as effective as medication or exercise alone. Weight loss with the help of medication is only permanent if it is combined with a lifestyle change. That is why all of Embla's medical weight loss programs are combined with coaching and advice on diet, exercise, sleep and other important lifestyle factors.
Wegovy® can be purchased at UK pharmacies throughout the country. But to buy the medication, you must have a prescription - this can be from your doctor or a doctor at, for example, a regulated weight loss clinic such as Embla. (Embla delivers your medication directly to your home from our pharmacy partner.)
Not everyone can get a prescription for Wegovy®. You must have a BMI over 30 or a BMI between 27 and 30 and at least one weight-related condition. Embla attaches great importance to the fact that the medication should only support your weight loss. It is the lifestyle changes that are most important. The first step is to book a screening, where we can clarify whether you are suitable for our program.
Wegovy® is a so-called GLP-1a drug. It mimics the body's satiety hormone, called GLP-1. When you eat, GLP-1 is released in the gut and sends a message to the brain that you are full.
It stimulates the release of insulin and inhibits the release of glucagon, which regulates blood sugar. All this happens entirely naturally in the body.The effect of GLP-1a drugs is the same: they reduce appetite and create a feeling of satiety. In this way, Wegovy® helps to achieve and maintain weight loss.
Studies have shown convincing results with weight loss of up to 20% of body weight when Novo Nordisk's obesity medicine, Wegovy®, is used correctly alongside a change in diet and exercise habits. Studies have also shown that the combination of obesity medication and exercise is twice as effective as medication or exercise alone.
Studies also suggest that weekly treatment with Wegovy® can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by approximately 60% in people with severe obesity.
