Diego Jesús del Can Sánchez, from Huelva, is a specialist in endocrinology and nutrition, an area for which he won the Best Resident Award in 2021. Thanks to his experience with the patient and, in particular, thanks to his specific training in diabetes management, it is a more than authorized voice to evaluate the convenience of prescribing drugs like Ozempic or Wegovy, commercial brands of the active ingredient semaglutide, so popular lately due to the slimming effect it has on the body. He is currently part of the team of specialists at the Quirón Infanta Luisa Hospital, from which he receives the ABC. – How does semaglutide manage to reduce the patient’s weight? – Semaglutide belongs to the GLP-1 -Glucagon-Like Peptide- family of drugs, which are molecules released by our own digestive system mainly when glucose from food reaches the digestive tract. Their use as powerful slimming agents is justified for several reasons, notably because they act on the hypothalamic center of satiety and appetite. Reduce the urge to compulsively consume high-calorie foods to seek this hedonic reward in industrial pastries, sugary energy drinks, alcohol… – However, it has emerged as a solution to diabetes… – The GLP-1 has more actions, such as normalizing blood sugar levels by sensitizing cells to insulin, that is, facilitating the path of glucose from the blood to the interior of cells for its transformation into energy substrate. This is why they constitute an effective treatment against type 2 diabetes. – When was the dual usefulness revealed – The two pathologies generally go hand in hand. It has been appreciated in light of the evidence of its usefulness in combating obesity by eliminating the insulin resistance mechanism of adiposity that these patients frequently present. Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic. Currently, Wegovy is indicated for obesity and Ozempic for obese type 2 diabetics. – Why do you think consumption is skyrocketing in Andalusia? – Due to the growing confidence of the medical community, given the spectacular results it has on overall health. This drug has been proven in various clinical trials to prevent myocardial infarction, stroke, nephropathy, retinopathy and death in patients to whom it was administered. Whether they are diabetic or obese. – Is there a possibility of buying it directly from the pharmacy? – This should not be the case. They require a medical prescription and follow-up in consultation with complete checks. It’s not just about checking weight, we also analyze drug tolerance, side effects, dosage. – Do your patients specifically ask you for Ozempic injections? – Yes, they often came to the consultation to ask for an injection? prescription of this type of treatments, but doctors must comply with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health, which also regulate the indications of each drug. There is a growing revision of this aspect. . – What type of person can benefit from the treatment? – In the case of Wegovy, the person must have a body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or more (or 27 kg/m2 or more if there are comorbidities). In the case of Ozempic, you must also suffer from type 2 diabetes. It should also be taken into account, for example, that it should not be prescribed to pregnant or breastfeeding patients.- How is it administered? – In the particular case. for Ozempic, it is a weekly subcutaneous injection, starting from the minimum dose of 0.25 mg. The box can last a month. From there, the loading dose is increased to 0.50 mg – and finally to 1 mg – if medical advances advise. For example, if the patient experiences abdominal distension, nausea, or any other digestive disturbance, the load is usually reduced to the previous well-tolerated dose. – Is this a lifelong treatment? – Although diabetes and obesity are generally chronic diseases, the use of semaglutide should not be. In fact, by reducing weight with these treatments, the cardiovascular improvement is very important, which also allows generating positive feedback and greater patient involvement to save or implement healthy habits. – In what direction? – On the one hand, in food, taking advantage of the feeling of satiety. But especially with physical exercise, since it is much more difficult for a grade 3 obese person to take up sports than when they have already lost a lot of weight and their knees do not bother them as much (for example ). This in turn will generate new changes, important so that, once the treatment is stopped, the patient is able to maintain these new acquired habits.
