The pros and cons of 'Wegovy,' which is gaining popularity akin to a syndrome, will be revealed.
SBS's 'News Story,' airing on the 28th, will shed light on the strengths and weaknesses of Wegovy through actual users and examine the reality of obesity treatment.
▲ The miracle obesity drug 'Wegovy' craze continues
'Wegovy' is shaking the world. Thanks to Wegovy, Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk has reached the top of the European market capitalization rankings. The public's interest has increased further as celebrities such as Elon Musk, Pani Bottle, and Poongja have shared their usage experiences on social media. Many people have been able to easily obtain prescriptions for Wegovy, and continue to share their experiences as content, sustaining the Wegovy craze even seven months after its launch.
▲ 'A miracle for some, a hurdle for others'
Yeon-Hyung Bae, 32, who is morbidly obese at 274 kg, feels his life has changed drastically since using Wegovy. At his peak weight, Mr. Bae was short of breath even when going to the bathroom from his room, and walking sometimes caused his veins to burst from the strain on his legs. Having experienced fainting spells during daily life, he ultimately chose Wegovy to survive. Starting his diet solely with Wegovy without simultaneous diet or exercise, he achieved a remarkable loss of about 50 kg in just 15 weeks.
However, not everyone experiences positive effects. Hong-Seok Jang, 28, reported experiencing heartburn and gastrointestinal issues as side effects, and states that his hair loss has worsened 2 to 3 times compared to before using Wegovy. Mr. Jang recommends that only those with a strong goal of losing weight consider using it, and advised against using Wegovy for those concerned about side effects.
▲ Emergence of 'high dose' and 'shared usage' raises concerns about misuse
With a desire to become slimmer, there are increasing cases of individuals at a normal weight using Wegovy. A 20-something woman interviewed by the press received the maximum dosage during her first visit to a hospital in Jongno, known as the 'Wegovy holy ground.' Since the price is the same regardless of dosage, patients can save expenses by receiving a high dosage and using it little by little. Some even share their remaining dosage with acquaintances. Experts warn that sharing Wegovy not only carries risks of infection but also poses serious side effects if individuals arbitrarily adjust the dosage.
Amid the Wegovy craze, the obesity treatment market is expanding rapidly, leading to fierce competition among companies. The market size for obesity treatments, which was $24 billion in 2022, is projected to reach $280 billion by 2040. Already, treatments that are more effective with fewer side effects than Wegovy have emerged. However, one expert advised, 'The effects of obesity treatments are temporary, so it is essential to consider whether they will truly be a fundamental weight loss method.'
SBS's 'News Story' will air at 8 a.m. on the 28th.
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