4 days ago
Weight loss injections and potential muscle loss
Wegovy is a weight loss drug that is injected weekly.
Photo:
JENS KALAENE
The weight loss injection, Wegovy, arrived in New Zealand - on prescription - with great fanfare only a couple of months ago. But already there are calls for the medication to come with a warning over the need for exercise - specifically resistance training - to save muscle mass. Medsafe advises the drug, which isn't funded by Pharmac, should be accompanied by increased physical activity.
But Exercise New Zealand says that activity needs to specifically challenge muscle and bones to make sure people don't become more frail. Endrocrinologist and diabetes expert, Associate Professor, Rosemary Hall, says the chance of muscle reduction during weight loss is widely recognised. Susie is joined by Associate Professor, Rosemary Hall and the Chief Executive of Exercise New Zealand is Richard Beddie.
