Popular Weight-Loss Drug Works Long-Term Fighting Obesity and Improving Heart Health, New Studies Find

Two new studies provide more evidence that the popular weight loss drug semaglutide offers long-term health benefits. The drug, known by the brand name Wovi, leads to significant weight loss for at least four years and provides heart benefits regardless of the number of pounds dropped.

Researchers followed more than 177,000 overweight or obese adults who received either semaglutide or a placebo. All participants had experienced either a heart attack, stroke, or peripheral artery disease. In the first investigation, those taking semaglutide lost an average of 10% of their body weight and 3 inches from their waistline after four years. Conversely, those in the placebo group achieved only a fraction of those losses.

The second investigation demonstrated that semaglutide delivered heart benefits regardless of starting weight or how much the scale moved. One author suggests that these findings indicate reducing body fat isn't the only way the drug improves cardiac function. They suggest it may also have a positive impact on blood sugar, blood pressure, and inflammation, as well as exert a direct effect on the heart muscle and blood vessels.