Weight loss drugs have been all the rage, gaining popularity in the US and European markets for their high effectiveness. It has been reported that these drugs will soon hit the Indian market as well. The drug, Tirzepatide, is produced by pharmaceutical company, Eli Lilly and is sold under the brand names Mounjaro and Zepbound. Mounjaro was first made available in the US in 2022 to treat diabetes and Zepbound was approved by the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) in 2023 for weight loss.
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Will the drug be available in India?
Tirzepatide recently got its first approval from the Central Drug Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), India’s national regulatory body, to import it from abroad. The medication will be sold in two forms, including pre-filled pens and single-dose vials. A subject expert committee (SEC) under the CDSCO, reviewed global trials by the company, Eli Lilly, which included Indian participants. The SEO recommended permission for import and marketing of Tirzepatide in varying injection dosages ranging from 2.5mg/0.5m to 15mg/0.5ml.
The drug still needs to get the final approval from the Drug Controller General of India, after which it can be sold and marketed in India. After this approval comes through, Indians, for the first time, will be able to access injectables of these types of drugs. This can be a turning point in the treatment and management of obesity and diabetes. As of now, the oral version of a weight loss drug made by Danish company Novo Nordisk, called Semaglutide, is available in India for diabetes management. However, its higher dose, the injectable version used for weight loss isn’t.
How does it work?
Tirzepatide functions by mimicking two key hormones, already produced in the body: GIP and GLP-1. When the medication is injected, it activates receptors for these hormones. It signals the pancreas to make more insulin when blood sugar is high, reduces the sugar made by the liver, slows digestion, and makes one feel more full. These effects are beneficial for diabetics as it lowers blood sugar levels in the body and reduces appetite which leads to weight loss.
Is the weight loss drug effective?
Multiple clinical trials have shown significant results regarding the use of Tirzepatide. In adults without type 2 diabetes, participants on the highest dose of Tirzepatide lost an average of 18 per cent of their body weight in only 72 weeks, while those with diabetes, lost an average of 12 per cent.
Who can take the drug?
The drug (Mounjaro) is intended for adults with type 2 diabetes and Zepbound is for chronic weight management in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 27 or more, with at least one weight-related medical condition.
However, the injection can only be taken with the prescription and advice of a doctor. Potential side effects must also be considered. The CDSCO panel told doctors to prescribe this drug very carefully, stating that “It should not be given to people with a history of pancreatic diseases, disorders of the endocrine systems, nausea and vomiting.”
Is it a miracle drug?
While the drug has shown to be very effective for weight loss, people need to supplement it with an overall healthy lifestyle to maintain the results. Dr V Mohan, who specializes in diabetology, said that the medication should come after the patient has made lifestyle modifications and is still at a BMI of 30 or above, reported The Indian Express. “These drugs may help knock off the weight initially but to sustain the weight loss, you will still need a diet, exercise and sleep discipline. Also, the drugs need to be graded according to individual response as they do not work the same way for all,” he added.
