Did you know that nearly 4 in 10 Indian adults suffer from fatty liver disease? Now the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has approved the usage of weight management drug Wegovy for prescribing to liver patients.
Wegovy Latest News: CDSCO’s Green Light for Wegovy
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CSDCO), India’s main regulator for pharmaceuticals and medical devices has given the green light to Wegovy, a weight management drug from Danish manufacturer Novo Nordisk.
The regulatory body formalized the approval in its official regulatory logs following a review of global clinical data. Before granting approval, a clinical trial was conducted. After trial results showed that 63% of patients treated with the 2.4 mg semaglutide injection achieved a complete resolution of steatohepatitis & 37% of liver fibrosis patients noted improvement, the CDSCO got convinced of its efficiency.
Wegovy Latest News: Treatment Conditions
Wegovy is a GLP 1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1) drug, which means that it will be subject to strict guidelines in India. As per the CDSCO, the weight management drug can only be given to patients suffering from non-cirrhotic Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH) , a more severe form of fatty liver disease. It can only be given to adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 and higher (obese) and that too with a prescription.
Wegovy Latest News: Price of the Drug
The prices of Wegovy in India are mentioned below:
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Starter/Low Doses (0.25 mg to 1.0 mg): Costs approximately ₹17,345 per month.
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Maintenance/High Doses (1.7 mg to 2.4 mg): Cost up to ₹26,050 per month.
Wegovy Latest News: Recommended Dosage
Health experts recommend taking Wegovy, once a week. The dosage is typically initiated at a lower level from 0.25 mg dose and then gradually increased over a period of 16 weeks (4 months). From week 17, patients are administered a full maintenance dose (2.4 mg once a week).
Wegovy Latest News: Potential Side Effects
Wegovy’s side effects are mainly related to the gastrointestinal system and include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, upset stomach/indigestion and stomach pain. However, the side effects don’t last after a few days.
Wegovy Latest News: Where to Buy in India
According to the Indian government’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CSDCO), Wegovy is classified as a schedule H drug in India. It can be purchased from most hospital pharmacies (Apollo Pharmacy, Max Healthcare, Fortis Healthcare, Medanta – The Medicity) and reputed online pharmacies like Tata 1mg and PharmEasy. However, customers must have a valid medical prescription to be able to buy Wegovy in India.
