Differences between Oral Weight Loss Pills and Injectable Weight Loss Treatments
In a significant development for those struggling with obesity, Eli Lilly has developed a new weight loss pill called Orforglipron. This innovative drug, designed to help manage weight, works by mimicking hormones released by the gut that signal the brain when we are full and have no appetite.
The active ingredient in Orforglipron is structured differently to survive stomach acid and reach the gut, a crucial factor in its effectiveness. This small molecule, chemically produced similar to common medications like aspirin or ibuprofen, is small enough to pass through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream.
Orforglipron operates via Glucagon-like-Peptide-1-Receptor-Agonists (GLP-1-RA), a mechanism similar to that of Wegovy, a popular obesity injection from Novo Nordisk. However, Orforglipron must be taken daily, unlike Wegovy, which is a weekly injection.
While Orforglipron offers a promising aid in the fight against obesity, it is not a magic bullet. Expert societies emphasize that such means are not a substitute for balanced nutrition and exercise but only a possible aid in the context of comprehensive therapy. The gut is not structured to allow all molecules to pass through; larger complex molecules are broken down and excreted. Therefore, Orforglipron must be accompanied by a medically supervised change in diet and control of nutrient supply.
The approval of Orforglipron by drug authorities is still uncertain, and it remains to be seen whether it will be covered by health insurance. If approved, the pill could potentially be more affordable due to lower production costs, as it does not need to be refrigerated like some other medications.
Clinical trials have shown that Orforglipron has been effective, with an average weight loss of 12.4% in participants, compared to around 1kg in the placebo group. However, it is less effective than Wegovy, which results in an average weight loss of around 15%.
Despite its potential, it's important to remember that simply reducing weight does not automatically mean being healthy. Those who eat too little or one-sidedly risk deficiencies that can weaken the body in the long run.
Eli Lilly aims to submit Orforglipron for worldwide approval by the end of 2025. As the drug authorities review this new weight loss pill, there is hope that it could become a valuable tool in the ongoing battle against obesity, viewed as a helpful piece in the context of comprehensive therapy.
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