Revolutionary Guidelines: New Weight-loss Drugs as Primary Obesity Treatment

Novo Nordisk's and Eli Lilly's innovative weight-loss medications should be the primary choices doctors make to combat obesity, as recommended by a major European medical association on Thursday. Semaglutide, the active component in Novo's Wegovy and Ozempic, alongside Lilly's tirzepatide, showcased remarkable efficacy, earning the top spot in new guidelines from the European Association for the Study of Obesity.

The guidelines, although non-binding, suggest that when lesser weight loss is needed, alternative drugs like liraglutide and naltrexone–bupropion can be considered. These new recommendations underscore the transformative impact of GLP-1 agonists, with considerable implications for managing obesity-related conditions such as sleep apnea and osteoarthritis.

Despite their high costs, the guidelines highlight the crucial need for early obesity treatment to prevent complications. With support from other medical associations, these recommendations emphasize that weight-loss drugs should be integrated with nutritional and lifestyle changes for maximum effectiveness.

(With inputs from agencies.)