New GLP-1 Pills Are Coming, & Wegovy May Become an Implant!

GLP-1 use has reached a record high in the United States, with 11 percent of American adults now taking a medication such as Wegovy, Zepbound, Ozempic, Mounjaro or Saxenda for weight loss. In this week’s Downsized News, Christopher and Laraine Durham break down the new Gallup numbers, what they may mean for the falling obesity rate, and why compounded semaglutide and compounded tirzepatide remain an important part of the access conversation. They also examine the next generation of obesity medications, including oral Wegovy, Lilly’s orforglipron, Pfizer’s once-monthly MET-097i, Novo Nordisk and Vivani Medical’s experimental NPM-139 semaglutide implant, Kailera’s HRS-7535, also known as KAI-7535, and Corxel Pharmaceuticals’ oral GLP-1 candidate CX11. The episode covers the nearly 600 percent increase in Medicare Wegovy prescriptions after its cardiovascular approval, which was based on the SELECT trial. Christopher and Laraine explain why Medicare can cover Wegovy for its FDA-approved cardiovascular indication but still cannot broadly cover it for obesity alone. They also discuss China’s decision to add injectable semaglutide to its National Essential Medicines List for type 2 diabetes. Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus. It joins liraglutide, the active ingredient in Victoza and Saxenda, as another GLP-1 medication included on China’s list. Additional stories include: • Record use of Wegovy, Zepbound, Ozempic, Mounjaro and Saxenda• Gallup data comparing brand-name and compounded GLP-1 medications• The long-term rise in obesity, severe obesity and abdominal obesity• Medicare access to Wegovy for cardiovascular risk reduction• Oral Wegovy and Lilly’s orforglipron• Pfizer’s once-monthly MET-097i injection• The NPM-139 six-month semaglutide implant• Phase 3 results for HRS-7535 and KAI-7535• KAI-7535 compared with the diabetes medication dapagliflozin• Phase 2 results for the oral GLP-1 candidate CX11• New research on obesity, blood pressure, cholesterol and cardiovascular risk Christopher and Laraine have taken tirzepatide since September 2023 and have lost more than 150 pounds together. The Downsized covers GLP-1 medications, obesity treatment, access, insurance, maintenance, side effects and the rapidly changing weight-loss drug pipeline from a patient perspective. Christopher and Laraine are not doctors, and this video is not medical advice. Viewers should speak with their doctor before starting, stopping or changing Wegovy, Zepbound, Ozempic, Mounjaro, Saxenda, Rybelsus, compounded semaglutide, compounded tirzepatide or any other medication. Subscribe to The Downsized for weekly GLP-1 news, patient stories, interviews, live shows and practical conversations about semaglutide, tirzepatide, liraglutide, oral GLP-1 medications and the future of obesity treatment. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Start your weight loss journey today! We use Mochi Health: https://app.joinmochi.com/eligibility... Use Laraine’s code for $40 off: QIYGO8. Get your Hume BodyPod today and use our exclusive Downsized code for up to 20% total savings! 👉 Use our Code: THEDOWNSIZED Link to purchase: https://humehealth.com//discount/THED... SHOP OUR AMAZON STORE: https://a.co/d/0gGe1MYq BOOK THE DOWNSIZED AT SEA CRUISE 2026: https://thedownsized.org/downsized-at... DOWNSIZED WEBSITE: https://thedownsized.org/ JOIN CLUB DOWNSIZED: https://www.youtube.com/@thedownsized... FOR SPONSORSHIPS, BRAND DEALS & COLLABS: https://thedownsized.org/contact/ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 00:00 New GLP-1 Pills Are Coming, & Wegovy May Become an Implant! 02:06 How Many Americans Are Now Taking GLP-1s? 06:21 How Much Has Obesity Increased Since 1999? 10:54 How Much Did Medicare Wegovy Use Increase After the Heart Approval? 14:38 Who Is Winning the Oral GLP-1 Drug Race? 16:17 China Adds Semaglutide to Its Essential Medicines List 17:59 Could a Semaglutide Implant Replace Weekly Injections? 21:37 How Effective Is Kailera’s New Oral GLP-1? 25:19 Is Heart Risk Improving for Older Adults With Obesity? 29:03 Could CX11 Become a Simpler Oral GLP-1 Option?