Ozempic, Wegovy and other GLP-1 drugs have been shown to reduce weight and Diabetes Management Demand has skyrocketed in recent years, making it difficult for some people to obtain the medicine.
To clear up supply chain disruptions, the first-ever generic GLP-1, a replica of Victoza, was launched on June 25th.
Victoza, manufactured by Novo Nordisk and sold by Israel’s Teva Pharmaceuticals, is an injectable medication intended to treat type 2 diabetes. Promotes weight loss According to Teva, this is the case in certain patients.
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Ozempic and Wegovy contain semaglutide, Munjaro contains tirzepatide, while Victoza contains liraglutide as its active ingredient.
“The launch of an authorized generic version of Victoza (liraglutide injection 1.8 mg) provides people with type 2 diabetes with a new option for this important treatment,” Ernie Richardsen, senior vice president and head of U.S. commercial generics at Teva, said in the company’s press release.
The first-ever GLP-1 generic, Teva Pharmaceuticals’ version of Victoza, was launched in late June 2024. (iStock, Getty Images)
Newly approved generics The exact same drug The drug is the same as brand-name Victoza, but it is sold without the brand name on the label and at a lower price, explained Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, senior director of pharmacy content at GoodRx in St. Louis, Missouri.
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Just as Wegobee is a higher-dose version of the obesity drug Ozempic, there is also a higher-dose version of Victoza (sold under the brand name Saxenda), but no generic version is yet available.
“This is a positive step toward making GLP-1 agonists more available and affordable,” Billingslea told Fox News Digital in an email.
Victoza is manufactured by Novo Nordisk and distributed and sold by Israel-based Teva Pharmaceuticals. (Getty Images)
This class of drugs is increasingly having beneficial uses beyond just treatment. Type 2 diabetesBillingslea noted, however, that cost could be a barrier to access for many people.
“Generally, approved generic versions are often sold at a discount and may therefore be a more affordable option for some people,” she said.
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“However, even if cheaper approved generics are available, some insurers may still prefer the brand-name Victoza.”
Patients should check with their doctor Insurance company Billingsley advised finding out what options are covered and how much you’ll be paying.
Although the benefits of this class of medication continue to grow, cost can be a barrier for some patients. (iStock)
Dr. Brett Osborne, a Florida neurologist and longevity expert, agreed that the availability of the first generic GLP-1 is “great news.”
The lower generic prices are especially beneficial for people with chronic conditions such as diabetes, Osborne said. “For people who need long-term medication to prevent side effects such as vascular disease, Strokes and heart attackscancer, neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, and obesity (the latter also a “gateway disease”),” he said.
The difference between liraglutide and semaglutide
The doctors noted that there are some differences between the generic versions of Victoza and Ozempic and other GLP-1 agonists.
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The new drug’s active ingredient is liraglutide, rather than Ozempic’s semaglutide, and it is approved for use in both adults and children. 10 years old and above People with diabetes.
Semaglutide is not yet approved for use in children.
Semaglutide, like Ozempic, is given once a week, but liraglutide drugs have a short half-life and must be given daily. (iStock)
There are also differences in dosing, with semaglutide, like Ozempic, being given once a week, while liraglutide needs to be taken daily because of its short half-life, the doctor said.
“Each drug has its pros and cons,” Osborne says, “but at a fundamental level the molecules are similar and perform the same functions in the body: suppressing appetite and promoting insulin secretion from the pancreas.”
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The most common side effects of liraglutide are: Nausea and vomitingSide effects include diarrhea, loss of appetite, indigestion and constipation, according to the company’s statement, and other more serious side effects are possible.
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Patients with prolonged side effects medical professionals; medical institutions.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Teva Pharmaceuticals and Novo Nordisk for comment.
