Wegovy: A New Era in Weight Loss for India
New Delhi, June 24 (IANS) Novo Nordisk, a Danish pharmaceutical company, has launched Wegovy in India. This once-weekly injectable weight-loss drug costs Rs 4,336.25 per dose.
Weight loss isn’t as simple as “eat less, move more” for many people. This is especially true for those with hormonal, genetic, or metabolic issues. Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4mg), a powerful new tool, has arrived in India to fight obesity. This weight loss injection has already made an impact in the U.S. and Europe.
Is Wegovy just another fad or a real medical breakthrough? We spoke to some of India’s top endocrinologists, gynecologists, and diabetes specialists. Their answers may surprise you.
What is Wegovy?
Wegovy is a higher-dose formulation of semaglutide. It’s a GLP-1 receptor agonist, originally designed to manage type 2 diabetes. It mimics a hormone that regulates hunger and insulin levels. In simpler terms, it makes you feel full faster, eat less, and burn fat more efficiently, all while improving blood sugar control.
It’s not a magical skinny shot, but it might be the closest modern science has come to offering one. Especially for people with obesity who haven’t seen results from diet and exercise alone.
India’s Obesity Epidemic: Why Wegovy’s Arrival Matters
India ranks third globally for obesity and second for type 2 diabetes. Experts like Dr. Muffazal Lakdawala, Director of General Surgery at Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai, see Wegovy as more than just another prescription drug. It’s a mindset shift.
“There is no such thing as ‘healthy obesity.’ Even when complications are not yet visible, the long-term risks—infertility, cancer, diabetes—are very real,” he says. “The first step is to view obesity as a disease, not a cosmetic issue.” This change in attitude could finally push the Indian public—and policymakers—to take weight seriously.
Beyond the Kilos: Wegovy’s Real Benefits
Wegovy’s impact goes far beyond the weighing scale. According to Dr. Ambrish Mithal, Chairman & Head of Endocrinology at Max Healthcare, it’s not just about losing weight.
“Semaglutide 2.4mg enhances satiety. It also reduces cardiac events by 20% in people with overweight or obesity with pre-existing heart disease,” he explains. “That’s a major breakthrough.”
Doctors are excited about the internal benefits. These include improved insulin function, reduced inflammation, and potential neuroprotective benefits. Dr. A.G. Unnikrishnan, CEO of Chellaram Diabetes Institute, says, “It restores blood-brain barrier integrity and improves astrocyte-vascular interaction. This could be a game-changer for overall metabolic health, not just weight.”
A Lifeline for Diabetics and Postpartum Women
Wegovy may be a critical lifeline for people with type 2 diabetes. It can also help women struggling with postpartum weight gain or PCOS. Dr. Shashank Joshi, an endocrinologist at Lilavati Hospital, explains: “Semaglutide is valuable for diabetic patients battling obesity. What excites us most is its ability to restore metabolic homeostasis at a cellular level. It’s sustainable.”
Dr. Rishma Pai, a top Mumbai-based gynecologist, highlights how the drug can help break the intergenerational cycle of obesity. “We see a rising trend of abdominal obesity in women of reproductive age. Around 12-13% of pregnant and postpartum women in India battle obesity. Wegovy, combined with lifestyle changes, can improve maternal health outcomes significantly.”
Not a Shortcut, but a Scientific Strategy
The term “weight loss drug” is often misunderstood due to past dodgy fat burners. But doctors are clear: Wegovy is not a shortcut. It’s science.
Dr. V. Mohan, a leading voice in diabetes care, says, “This is not just about shedding pounds. It addresses the entire obesity-diabetes-metabolic syndrome triad, which is extremely common in Indian patients. We’ve needed something like this for years.”
Experts also see Wegovy as a much-needed alternative to bariatric surgery. Especially for patients who aren’t eligible or willing to go under the knife. “It can be an adjunct for those who regain weight post-surgery or an option for those who are ineligible for it,” adds Dr. Lakdawala.
Who Should Be Taking It?
Wegovy is not for everyone. It’s specifically meant for:
- Adults with a BMI of 30 or more (obese)
- Adults with a BMI of 27 or more who also have weight-related health problems like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol
It’s not a vanity drug. It’s a prescription-only, doctor-supervised therapy. It needs to be part of a broader weight loss plan that includes a balanced diet and regular exercise.
Risks and Realities
Like any drug, Wegovy isn’t side-effect-free. Nausea, vomiting, constipation, and headaches are some of the commonly reported issues, especially in the early weeks.
It’s not a magic wand. Once you stop taking it, the weight may come back unless long-term lifestyle changes are in place. That’s why all doctors stress the importance of pairing the drug with behavioral support and nutritional guidance.
“Anti-obesity medications like Wegovy must be evaluated not merely by percentage weight loss, but by their ability to change hard clinical outcomes. This includes reducing CVD, CKD, and potentially extending life. It’s time we see these therapies as tools for longevity and disease prevention, not just for the weighing scale,” says Dr. Rajiv Kovil, Head of Diabetology, Zandra Healthcare, and Co-founder of Rang De Neela Initiative.
India has long treated obesity as a willpower problem rather than a medical condition. Wegovy’s arrival could finally change that. If used wisely—and accessibly—Wegovy could be more than just a drug. It could be India’s long-overdue wake-up call to treat obesity as the serious, system-wide condition that it truly is.
Wegovy is finally in India. It’s not a fad, but a clinically proven weight-loss injection. It tackles metabolic dysfunction, improves heart health, and might help people with diabetes, PCOS, and obesity live better, longer lives. But it’s no solo act—healthy lifestyle habits still lead the show.
