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國際時事跟讀 Ep. L128: Approves Wegovy Pill for Weight Loss
Highlights 主題摘要
- The FDA has officially approved Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy pill as the first oral GLP-1 medication for weight management.
- Clinical trials demonstrated that a daily tablet can achieve weight loss results comparable to the popular weekly injections.
- This new oral alternative aims to expand access for patients who are uncomfortable with needles or require travel-friendly options.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has officially authorized a pill version of Wegovy, marking a groundbreaking historic milestone in the treatment of obesity. This decision makes it the first oral GLP-1 medication authorized specifically for chronic weight management. Developed by pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk, the drug contains semaglutide, the same active ingredient found in blockbuster injectables. For years, patients had to rely on weekly self-injections, which acted as a psychological barrier for many individuals struggling with their weight.
美國食品藥物管理局正式批准了口服版的 Wegovy （週纖達/瘦瘦筆），這標誌著肥胖治療領域一個突破性的里程碑。這項決定使其成為首款專門被授權用於慢性體重管理的口服 GLP-1 藥物。這款由製藥大廠諾和諾德研發的藥物，含有與明星針劑商品相同的藥物活性成分。幾年來，患者必須依賴每週自行注射，這對許多與體重抗爭的人來說，無疑是一個巨大的心理障礙。
The approval was primarily supported by clinical trials evaluating a daily 25 mg dose. Data showed that participants who carefully followed the daily regimen lost 16.6% of their body weight over 64 weeks, a result remarkably similar to the injectable version. However, doctors emphasize that the pill requires more discipline than the weekly shots. To ensure the medication is properly absorbed, users must take it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach with a small amount of water.
這項核准主要基於評估每日 25 毫克劑量的臨床試驗支持。數據顯示，嚴格遵守每日療程的受試者在 64 週內減輕了 16.6% 的體重，這個結果與注射劑型非常相似。然而，醫生強調，與每週注射一次相比，藥錠需要更強的自律性。為了確保藥物能被妥善吸收，使用者必須在早晨尚空腹的狀態下，搭配少量開水服用。
Despite the convenience of a tablet, patients may still face common potential gastrointestinal side effects. During trials, symptoms such as nausea and vomiting were reported, particularly as users increased their dosage. Experts suggest that because the medication hits the stomach directly, some people might find these sensations more intense than with injections. Nevertheless, the pill's shelf-stable nature offers a clear advantage over injectables, which require refrigeration. This makes the treatment much easier to manage for people who travel frequently.
儘管藥錠具有便利性，患者仍可能面臨常見的潛在胃腸道副作用。在試驗期間，受試者報告了噁心和嘔吐等症狀，特別是在增加劑量時。專家表示，由於藥物直接進入胃部，有些人可能會覺得這些感覺比注射更強烈。儘管如此，藥錠可在常溫保存的特性優於需要冷藏的注射劑。這使得對於經常出差的人來說，管理治療變得更加容易。
The market landscape for weight loss is expected to shift rapidly as this oral option launches in early January. To remain competitive, Novo Nordisk has reached a pricing agreement with the administration to offer the starting dose for approximately $149 per month. This significant strategic move aims to lower the financial threshold for many people. The company hopes to reach a demographic of American patients. This expansion represents a vital step toward treating obesity as a biological condition rather than a personal failure.
這款口服藥將於一月初上市，減重市場的格局預計將迅速轉變。為了保持競爭力，諾和諾德已與政府達成價格協議，提供每月約 149 美元的起始劑量。這項重大策略目標是降低許多人的經濟門檻。公司希望能接觸到更廣大的美國患者族群。這次醫療選擇的擴張是重要的一步，代表肥胖應被視為一種生理疾病，而非個人的失敗。
Keyword Drills 關鍵字
- Psychological [adjective, relating to the mental and emotional state of a person]: Weekly self-injections acted as a psychological barrier for many individuals.
- Threshold [noun, the level at which something starts to happen or have an effect]: This strategic move aims to lower the financial threshold for many people.
- Demographic [noun, a particular sector of a population sharing common characteristics]: The company hopes to reach a large and important demographic of American patients.
Reference article:
1. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/fda-approves-wegovy-weight-loss-pill-novo-nordisk-rcna240800
2. https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Wellness/fda-approves-wegovy-pill-weight-loss/story?id=128644712