The “Wegovy” model slimming syringe is bought within the Achat pharmacy in Mitte. The “Wegovy” slimming syringe has been obtainable in Germany for a yr.

Jens Kalaene | Image Alliance | Getty Photographs

A model of this text first appeared in CNBC’s Wholesome Returns e-newsletter, which brings the most recent health-care information straight to your inbox. Subscribe right here to obtain future editions.

Yet one more research is zeroing in on the unintended negative effects of Novo Nordisk‘s semaglutide – the energetic ingredient within the firm’s blockbuster weight reduction drug Wegovy and diabetes remedy Ozempic. 

However this time, the research highlights the chance of hair loss. 

To be clear, semaglutide’s hyperlink to hair loss is not new. Scientific trials carried out by Novo Nordisk have proven the next danger of hair loss in sufferers who took semaglutide in comparison with those that took a placebo. 

Wegovy and Ozempic are a part of a category of fashionable drugs referred to as GLP-1s, which mimic a hormone within the intestine to suppress urge for food and regulate blood sugar. These medicine are identified for his or her gastrointestinal negative effects reminiscent of nausea and vomiting, and have additionally confronted elevated scrutiny after some sufferers reported experiencing abdomen paralysis and suicidal ideation whereas taking them. 

In an announcement, Novo Nordisk stated it “stays assured within the benefit-risk profile of our GLP-1 medicines, when used in keeping with their indications and product labeling.”

The brand new research, carried out by researchers on the College of British Columbia and never but submitted for peer assessment, exhibits that semaglutide is related to hair loss in comparison with customers of an older weight reduction capsule referred to as Contrave, or bupropion-naltrexone. 

The researchers examined information from 16 million sufferers from 2006 to 2020 and recognized 1,926 semaglutide customers and 1,348 Contrave customers. Folks with a prognosis of diabetes or who used antihyperglycemics – drugs that decrease blood sugar ranges – had been excluded. 

The incidence charges of hair loss had been greater amongst semaglutide customers than Contrave customers. Total, sufferers who took semaglutide had a 52% greater danger of hair loss in comparison with those that took Contrave. 

The researchers additionally discovered that girls who took semaglutide had greater than two occasions the chance of hair loss in comparison with ladies within the Contrave group. However Mohit Sodhi, one of many authors, instructed CNBC that “most of our information was pushed by ladies” so they can’t examine males versus ladies within the research. 

Amongst those that took semaglutide, there have been 22 instances of hair loss in ladies and only one case in males. Future research with bigger pattern sizes of sufferers are wanted to find out if there’s a distinction between women and men, Sodhi famous. 

The researchers additionally didn’t comply with sufferers in the event that they stopped semaglutide or Contrave, so it’s unclear whether or not the chance of hair loss decreases as soon as they’re off Novo Nordisk’s drug, in accordance with Sodhi. Extra analysis is required in that space, he stated. 

So, why may semaglutide trigger the next danger of hair loss? 

One issue could possibly be the physiological stress that fast weight reduction can induce, which might result in the “disruption of the pure hair cycle,” in accordance with Sodhi. He stated which may be a extra outstanding impact of semaglutide as a result of it’s identified to lower weight extra quickly than Contrave. 

Semaglutide’s means to suppress urge for food additionally results in sufferers consuming much less meals, which might probably trigger nutrient deficiencies, together with protein particularly, Sodhi added. Protein deficiencies have been proven to be linked to hair loss, he famous. 

Sodhi stated sufferers may additionally lose vitamins by vomiting when on semaglutide. Some well being consultants additionally hypothesize that semaglutide can result in hormonal shifts that improve the chance of a typical type of hair loss referred to as androgenic alopecia, he added. 

Folks, and ladies particularly, contemplating utilizing semaglutide strictly for weight reduction might need to “think about hair loss as a potential limitation” of the drug, the researchers stated within the research. However individuals with diabetes or morbid weight problems might weigh their dangers and advantages in another way, and could also be extra keen to simply accept hair loss as a possible danger, the researchers added. 

One of many research authors, Dr. Mahyar Etminan, has beforehand consulted on litigation associated to Ozempic. 

Be happy to ship any ideas, recommendations, story concepts and information to Annika at annikakim.constantino@nbcuni.com.

The Dexcom brand is seen on a smartphone display screen and within the background.

Pavlo Gonchar | SOPA Photographs | Lightrocket | Getty Photographs

Dexcom obtained a warning letter from the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration final week after the company inspected the corporate’s manufacturing services in San Diego, California, and Mesa, Arizona.

The FDA “noticed non-conformities” with Dexcom’s high quality administration system and manufacturing processes, in accordance with a Friday firm submitting with the U.S. Securities and Trade Fee. The company additionally famous that the corporate’s response to its listing of observations, formally referred to as Kind 483, was inadequate. 

“The Firm takes the issues recognized within the warning letter critically, has already submitted a number of responses to the Kind 483 and is within the strategy of making ready a written response to the warning letter,” Dexcom stated within the submitting. 

It was unclear what particular issues the FDA recognized on the services. 

Dexcom produces units referred to as steady glucose displays that may assist customers observe their blood sugar and handle diabetes. The FDA’s warning letter doesn’t restrict Dexcom’s means to fabricate or distribute its merchandise.

The corporate didn’t instantly reply to CNBC’s request for remark. 

Dexcom additionally appointed Renée Galá, chief working officer of Jazz Prescription drugs, to its board of administrators final week. Galá has labored in her present position since 2023, and he or she beforehand served because the chief monetary officer at Jazz.

She has additionally held management roles at Grail and Theravance Biopharma, and he or she spent a number of years on the pharmaceutical big Eli Lilly. 

“Renée’s in depth expertise guiding international finance and international operations together with industrial and R&D to drive progress and create shareholder worth offers a wonderful match at this key level in Dexcom’s journey,” Dexcom CEO Kevin Sayer stated in a launch. 

As of intraday buying and selling on Tuesday morning, shares of Dexcom are down about 9% yr up to now. 

Learn the complete launch right here.

Be happy to ship any ideas, recommendations, story concepts and information to Ashley at ashley.capoot@nbcuni.com.