Triple-Dose Wegovy Could Transform Weight Loss Market in 2024

A new trial has revealed that a triple-strength dose of Wegovy may soon be available in the UK, potentially offering a significant advancement in weight loss treatments. The trial indicated that participants using weekly 7.2 milligrams of Wegovy—also known as semaglutide and Ozempic—experienced an average weight loss of 19 percent over a period of one and a half years, without any unexpected side effects.

Trial Results and Regulatory Approval

The study, conducted by a team led by Dr. Sean Wharton at the University of Toronto, found that while the higher dosage did not introduce new side effects, it did lead to an increase in known issues such as nausea and diarrhea. “The results support a favourable benefit–risk profile,” stated Dr. Wharton and his colleagues.

Before the triple-dose version can be made available, it must receive approval from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). According to Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Wegovy, they plan to apply for this approval shortly, with a decision expected within a year. This is particularly promising given that the drug has already been approved for lower doses.

Currently, the maximum approved dose of Wegovy is 2.4 milligrams, which results in approximately 15 percent weight loss after one year. However, patients often find that their weight stabilizes despite ongoing use. If the triple-dose version is approved, it could position Wegovy as a stronger competitor against Mounjaro (tirzepatide), which has shown to result in around 20 percent weight loss at its maximum dose.

Market Dynamics and Patient Access

Wegovy functions by mimicking a gut hormone that signals fullness after eating, while Mounjaro mimics two such hormones. Approximately 1.5 million people in the UK are currently using weight-loss medicines, with many purchasing them through online pharmacies. Access to these treatments through the NHS has been limited, typically restricted to hospital obesity clinics with long waiting times. Plans to gradually expand NHS access through general practitioners will begin with individuals who are at the highest health risk due to their weight.

Recent data indicates a shift in consumer preferences, with around 80 percent of online pharmacy customers previously choosing Mounjaro. However, with Mounjaro’s price soaring from £122 to £330 per month, many are now considering Wegovy, which currently costs about £100 monthly. The anticipated price for the triple-dose version is expected to be higher.

The trial also noted a higher incidence of a side effect called dysaesthesia among those receiving the triple dose, affecting 23 percent of participants compared to just 6 percent at the standard dosage. Although this side effect was mostly mild, it presents a consideration for potential users.

Dr. Laurence Dobbie, a GP and obesity researcher at King’s College London, suggested that a higher dosage could be a viable option for individuals who do not respond sufficiently to the standard 2.4 milligrams.

This development underscores the competitive landscape of weight-loss medications, as various companies are racing to secure their position in a market that is likely to become increasingly crowded. Dr. Simon Cork, a physiologist at Anglia Ruskin University, remarked, “I suspect one of the motivations for this trial is to see whether they can maintain some market share.”

Wegovy may see a broader rollout once it becomes available in generic form, anticipated around 2031, which could dramatically reduce its cost from about £100 to approximately £10 per month. The findings from the trial were published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, marking an important step in the evolution of weight-loss treatments.