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Dr. Drew Payne, an internist at Texas Tech Health Sciences Center who specializes in treating obesity(KCBD Video)<\/p>\nLUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Weight loss medication Wegovy is now available in pill form, offering the same active ingredient as weekly injections but in a daily oral dose that could make the treatment more accessible and affordable.<\/p>\n
The FDA-approved pill contains the same medicine as Wegovy injections but requires higher dosages because it is not absorbed as well in the gastrointestinal tract, said Dr. Drew Payne, D.O. an internist at Texas Tech Health Sciences Center who specializes in treating obesity.<\/p>\n
Dr. Drew Payne, an internist at Texas Tech Health Sciences Center who specializes in treating obesity(KCBD Video)<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ingredient in the pill or the active medicine in the pill is the same as the injection,\u201d Payne said. \u201cThe only real kind of difference is the medicine isn\u2019t absorbed as well in the GI tract so the dosage is quite a bit higher.\u201d<\/p>\n
Weight loss results remain consistent<\/p>\n
At maximum doses, both the pill and injection help people lose about 15% of their weight on average, Payne said. The main side effects are also similar between the two options.<\/p>\n
KCBD sales manager Pam Simpson, who has lost 55 pounds using the injection, called it \u201cone of the best decisions I\u2019ve ever made.\u201d Sales representative Diane Harlan lost 105 pounds and said the treatment reduced her blood pressure medication needs.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s a miracle,\u201d Harlan said. \u201cYou know I\u2019ve tried many diets through the years. Nothing really ever worked. And this has worked. It was the easiest thing I\u2019ve ever done.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lower costs expected<\/p>\n
The pill version will cost significantly less than injections. Wegovy says the pill will start at $149 per month, with the highest doses staying under $400. Injections have climbed over $1,000 per month for some patients.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe cost will be less because it\u2019s less to manufacture,\u201d Payne said. \u201cYou don\u2019t have the auto-injector cost built into it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Prescription still required<\/p>\n
Patients still need a prescription for the pill form. They can go to the manufacturer\u2019s website and have the pill mailed directly with a physician\u2019s prescription, Payne said. Local pharmacies are expected to make the medication available soon.<\/p>\n
The pill is approved for patients age 12 and older. Patients currently using injections can switch to the pill form if they prefer, though some may choose to continue with their current treatment.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can switch from an injection to a pill,\u201d Payne said.<\/p>\n
Simpson said she would stick with injections. \u201cI don\u2019t like the idea of taking a pill every day,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The drug does not work for everyone, and rare cases can involve serious side effects, which is why the pill still requires a prescription for doctor monitoring.<\/p>\n
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