The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted approval for use of semaglutide injection (2.4 mg once a week) for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight having at least one weight-related condition, including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol. The drug is to be used along with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity. 

This injection, given under-the-skin, is the first drug to be approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight, since 2014. The drug can be used in patients with a body mass index (BMI) >27 kg/m2 having at least one weight-related condition or in patients with a BMI >30 kg/m2.

The drug mimics the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) hormone that targets brain areas known to regulate appetite and food intake. The dose has to be increased gradually over 16 to 20 weeks to 2.4 mg once a week in order to limit the gastrointestinal side effects… (FDA, June 4, 2021)