What Ozempic/ Wegovy/ Mounjaro teaches us about Weight Loss
It’s about Controlling Hunger, not Calories
The GLP-1 Agonist Class of Drugs
Semaglutide (trade named Wegovy and Ozempic), is part of the drug class GLP1 (Glucagon Like Peptide 1) agonist. This is not a new drug class, as it has been around since the discovery of exenatide (trade name Byetta) in the venom from the saliva of the Gila monster.
It was first approved for use in the United States in 2005. The GLP1 hormones are part of the hormone class called incretins, with many different physiologic effects. They are secreted mainly in the stomach and the main effect was thought to increase insulin secretion from the pancreatic beta cell in response to glucose given by mouth (but not by intravenous since it bypasses the stomach).
The enhanced insulin secretion was useful to reduce blood glucose in type 2 diabetes. Exenatide saw only modest success because it was inconvenient. It needed to be injected twice daily. It caused mild weight loss, at best 2.5 kg weight loss (5.5 pounds). Yes, you lost weight, but it was nothing to write home about.
