Wegovy weight-loss drug now in India: How it works and who should take it
Novo Nordisk, a Danish pharmaceutical company, has launched its weight-loss drug Wegovy in India. The drug, which contains semaglutide, works by regulating appetite and food intake, and is now the first medication in India approved for both long-term weight management and heart risk reduction in people who are overweight or obese.BUT WHAT EXACTLY IS WEGOVY, AND HOW DOES IT WORK?At its core, Wegovy is a once-a-week prescription-only injection that mimics a natural hormone in the body called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1). This hormone plays a key role in appetite regulation. When you take Wegovy, it binds to GLP-1 receptors in the brain, helping to reduce hunger, make you feel full sooner, lowers food cravings and helps control blood sugar levels.advertisementThis biological mechanism makes it easier for people to stick to a lower-calorie diet without constantly feeling deprived—unlike traditional weight-loss methods that rely on sheer willpower alone.WHAT'S THE SCIENCE BEHIND IT?
The active ingredient in Wegovy is semaglutide, a compound also used in Novo Nordisk's type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic (not yet available in India). While Ozempic is meant for blood sugar control, Wegovy uses a higher dose of semaglutide (up to 2.4 mg) specifically for weight management and heart health.
Wegovy is a once-a-week prescription-only injection that mimics a natural hormonein the body called GLP-1. ()
Clinical trials have shown that Wegovy, when combined with diet and physical activity, leads to:advertisementUp to 20% body weight reduction in 1 out of 3 people within about 68 weeks20% lower risk of major heart problems such as stroke, heart attack, and death related to cardiovascular disease, especially in people already living with heart conditions and obesityHOW IS WEGOVY TAKEN?Wegovy is administered using an easy-to-use injection pen once a week. It comes in five dosage strengths: 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, and 2.4 mg.Patients usually start with the lowest dose and gradually increase to the full dose of 2.4 mg under their doctor's guidance.HOW MUCH DOES WEGOVY COST?The first three doses (0.25, 0.5, 1 mg) are priced at Rs 17,345 per month (about Rs 4,366 per week). The 1.7 mg is priced at Rs 24,280 per month and the 2.4 mg (full dose) costs Rs 26,015 for a month.The company says this price structure is designed to make the drug more accessible as obesity cases rise across the country.WHY THIS MATTERS FOR INDIAIndia has the third highest number of people living with obesity or overweight, according to a major 2023 study by the Indian Council of Medical Research and the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation. The report found that 254 million Indians, or nearly 29% of the population, are affected.
The company says this price structure is designed to make the drug more accessible as obesity cases rise across the country. ()
Obesity is often misunderstood as a lifestyle issue, but experts say it's a chronic condition influenced by genetics, environment, biology, and mental health—not just food or exercise habits. It also increases the risk of over 200 diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, kidney and liver disorders, and certain cancers.WHO SHOULD USE WEGOVY?Wegovy is a prescription-only drug meant for:Adults with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher, orAdults with a BMI of 27 or higher who also have a weight-related health conditionIt must be used under medical supervision, as it can cause side effects in some people, the company stated. "Obesity is not just a personal health concern, it's a national epidemic. Wegovy offers a proven, science-backed solution with the convenience of a user-friendly device. With India-specific pricing and the same cost for the first three doses, we are reinforcing our commitment to address the country's growing obesity burden," said Vikrant Shrotriya, Managing Director of Novo Nordisk India.advertisementDrugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro represent a new era in obesity treatment in India, offering hope to millions who struggle with weight and related health issues. By working with the body's natural hunger signals and showing benefits beyond just weight loss, it's more than a slimming aid—it's a chronic care solution.As always, people considering Wegovy should consult their doctor to understand whether it's the right fit for their health needs.- EndsMust Watch
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
30 minutes ago
- India Today
Wegovy, popular weight-loss drug, now in India: 10 points
Wegovy, popular weight-loss drug, now in India: 10 points Credit: Getty Images Danish company Novo Nordisk has launched Wegovy, its once-weekly weight-loss injection, in India as of June 24, 2025. Credit: Reuters Wegovy contains semaglutide, a well-known GLP‑1 hormone-based drug that helps reduce appetite and support weight loss. It is India's first prescription drug approved both for long-term weight management and reducing the risk of heart-related events in overweight individuals. It is now available in five strengths: 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, and the full dose of 2.4 mg—all delivered via a pre-filled pen. Dosage Strengths The first three starter doses (0.25, 0.5, 1 mg) are each priced at Rs 4,336.25 per dose. Weekly Cost For a month (4 doses): Rs 17,345 for the lower doses; Rs 24,280 for 1.7 mg; and Rs 26,015 for the full 2.4 mg dose. Monthly Cost The injection pens are colour-coded by strength and designed for easy, once-a-week use. Pen Design Clinical studies show users can lose about 10–15% of body weight. Around one in three achieved 20%+ weight loss. It also helps reduce blood pressure, cholesterol, fatty liver, and heart risks. Effectiveness Beyond weight loss, semaglutide improves insulin response, curbs hunger, slows stomach emptying, and supports heart and kidney health. Side Benefits This launch follows Eli Lilly's introduction of Mounjaro in India. Wegovy is expected to meet strong demand by tackling obesity and related conditions. Market Context
Economic Times
an hour ago
- Economic Times
A big fat fight has just broken out in India
With the launch of Wegovy by Novo Nordisk in India, the country's obesity drugs sector is all set to witness intense competition. The drug's arrival sets the stage for a high-stakes battle against Eli Lilly's Mounjaro, which debuted earlier in March 2025 and quickly captured market interest. With obesity and Type 2 diabetes rising at alarming rates across India, these powerful weight-loss drugs are ushering in a new era of competition and long-term market Lilly's Mounjaro, based on the molecule tirzepatide, entered the Indian market several months ahead of Wegovy. Its early presence helped it gain momentum rapidly, with over 81,000 units sold within weeks of launch and revenues approaching Rs 24 crore, according to data from prescription audit firm PharmaTrac. Its dual-action mechanism, targeting both GIP and GLP-1 receptors, has proven superior in global clinical trials, showing weight loss effects of up to 23%. Novo Nordisk's Wegovy, which contains semaglutide, comes with a slightly lower average weight-loss efficacy but boasts a strong global track record, particularly with its well-documented cardiovascular benefits. Wegovy, a once-a-week injection, will be in pharmacies by the end of the month, Novo said, as the drug looked poised to erode some of Lilly's market share. Mounjaro's sales jumped 60% between April and May, industry experts told Reuters. Novo Nordisk's ambition to race ahead of Mounjaro will be supported by robust clinical data on its benefits in heart patients, in addition to weight loss. Novo Nordisk has demonstrated the cardiovascular benefits of Wegovy in Indian patients, according to regulatory filings seen by ET. The company is taking the drug 'beyond obesity,' by illustrating clear benefits of cardiovascular risk reduction, according to Novo Nordisk India Managing Director Vikrant Shrotriya. 'We call it the 20-20 strategy — 20% weight loss and 20% cardiovascular risk reduction.'To close the launch gap, Novo Nordisk has adopted an aggressive pricing and accessibility strategy. Wegovy is available in 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg and 2.4 mg doses. The first three will be priced at Rs 4,336, the company said, with the monthly cost being Rs 17,345, in similar range to Lilly's Mounjaro. Wegovy's 1.7 mg dose will be priced at Rs 24,280, and 2.4 mg at Rs 26,015. Its rival Mounjaro, a once-weekly injection, is priced at Rs 3,500 for a 2.5 mg vial and Rs 4,375 for a 5 mg vial, its lowest doses, the company said in March. Its highest dose is 15 mg. Novo's ambition is bold. It expects Wegovy to generate Rs 8,600 crore (roughly $1 billion) in sales in India within five to seven years. But in this rapidly evolving marketplace, strategy alone may not be enough. The core driver of market differentiation will lie in efficacy and patient experience. While Mounjaro is better placed in terms of absolute weight loss, both drugs deliver transformational outcomes for people with obesity or metabolic disorders. Semaglutide, meanwhile, benefits from longer-standing clinical trust. It has been prescribed globally for both diabetes and obesity under brands Ozempic and Wegovy, and is increasingly supported by cardiovascular outcome data. Physicians in India may favour semaglutide for its broader evidence base. In practice, many patients may switch between the two based on cost, availability, efficacy response and physician guidance, making brand loyalty fluid and competitive positioning Eli Lilly, the immediate goal is to consolidate its first-mover advantage. It will focus on scaling supply, enhancing prescriber engagement and cementing Mounjaro's reputation as a gold-standard therapy. Novo Nordisk, on the other hand, will look to rapidly close the gap by leveraging pricing strategy and its global brand equity, before its patent expires next is a critical factor point in the Indian market. Both Wegovy and Mounjaro currently sit in a price range that makes them accessible mainly to upper-income groups or those with compelling medical need. Annual therapy can cost lakhs of rupees per patient, depending on dose and duration, a figure far beyond the average Indian household healthcare budget. "Novo Nordisk is strategising the timely introduction of Wegovy in India. However, unless these firms bring down the cost of these designer medicines, they will not be popular among masses. They will be restricted to a very few patients," Nishith Chandra, director, Interventional Cardiology, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute in Delhi, told ET recently. However, a tectonic shift is looming. The patent for semaglutide expires in India in 2026, unlocking the door for local pharmaceutical giants such as Dr. Reddy's, Sun Pharma, Cipla, Lupin and Biocon to manufacture and launch generic versions. These versions could drive prices down substantially. Indian drugmakers are now racing to develop cheaper versions of these weight-loss drugs to grab a share of the vast Indian market. Reuters reported in December last year that cheaper copies of patented drugs of both the companies are winning approval from some regulators overseas, posing a threat to the pharma giants' prices and market share. Since Novo's blockbuster Ozempic diabetes treatment was approved in the US in 2017, regulators have greenlighted 22 medicines containing its main ingredient in Bangladesh, Laos, Russia and Paraguay as well as seven copies of Lilly's rival drugs in Bangladesh, according to a Reuters review. Last month, Novo Nordisk sued Dr Reddy's Laboratories and OneSource in the Delhi High Court over allegations of patent infringement. The generic versions will transform the current high-cost niche market into a volume-driven market, enabling middle-class and even lower-income segments to access life-changing obesity treatments. Mounjaro, which enjoys patent protection beyond 2026, will remain in the premium bracket, potentially defending its position through strong anti-obesity drug market has grown more than fourfold in the last five years fuelled by rising instances of lifestyle diseases along with greater affordability and willingness among a section of the population to pay for weight-loss treatment, showed data from industry tracker and market researcher PharmaTrac. The anti-obesity drug market soared to Rs 576 crore as of March 2025 from Rs 133 crore in March 2021. With obesity and Type 2 diabetes rates skyrocketing, India is at a tipping point. According to the International Diabetes Federation, the number of Indian adults with diabetes is expected to surge from 74.2 million in 2021 to over 124 million by 2045. Against this backdrop, demand for weight-loss drugs is surging. Mounjaro's launch had triggered a wave of public interest, with doctors receiving a lot of queries from curious patients. .Over the next few years, India's weight-loss drug market is likely to evolve in three phases. Through 2025 and mid-2026, the competition between Wegovy and Mounjaro will dominate, with branded drugs holding center stage. By late 2026, the entry of generic semaglutide will disrupt the market, expanding access but also challenging branded revenue models. Finally, from 2027 onward, the market will likely bifurcate. Premium treatments like Mounjaro will serve patients with critical needs who would want an established brand, while low-cost generics will democratise obesity treatment across income segments. (With agency inputs)
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Indigenous rapid detection kit ready to detect Nipah virus with 100% accuracy: Director, ICMR-NIV
Pune: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has developed a portable test kit for detecting Nipah virus cases with 100 per cent accuracy, which can provide results within 1- 2 hours. According to Dr Naveen Kumar, Director, ICMR-NIV, Pune, "Based on amplification of viral gene without the need for a specialised machine at the field level. It's 100 per cent sensitive and specific." This test can provide results in "1-2 hours". The Nipah virus is a Zoonotic virus that primarily spreads through fruit bats, and the virus has a 50% mortality rate, making it one of the most dangerous viral diseases. The cost of the test is 250 rupees, and the name of this kit is Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for rapid detection of Nipah virus. Meanwhile, Monoclonal antibody development is underway in collaboration with Zydus Health Sciences, Ahmedabad and Translational Health Sciences Technology Institute, Faridabad. The ICMR is also working on an indigenous vaccine for the Nipah virus. The National Institute of Virology (NIV) is the only lab in the country that cultures the Nipah virus. Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic virus (it is transmitted from animals to humans) and can also be transmitted through contaminated food or directly between people. In infected people, it causes a range of illnesses from asymptomatic (subclinical) infection to acute respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis. The symptoms of the Nipah virus are fever, headaches, muscle pain, vomiting, sore throat, dizziness, altered consciousness, and Atypical pneumonia. Outbreaks of Nipah Virus Disease (NiVD) have been reported in Kerala, with the most recent one occurring in 2023 in the Kozhikode district.
