Semaglutide - a modern GLP-1 analogue in type 2 diabetes

People with type 2 diabetes have too little endogenous GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1). Semaglutide, which mimics natural GLP-1, can compensate^.1 Like endogenous GLP-1, it normalizes blood glucose, supports weight loss, and shows fewer cardiovascular events^.1,2,*

When we eat, our intestines produce a substance called GLP-1, which stimulates the secretion of insulin in the pancreas in a glucose-dependent manner and inhibits that of glucagon. In addition, GLP-1 slows gastric emptying, increases the feeling of satiety and centrally regulates cravings. This prevents the blood sugar from rising too high.

In patients with type 2 diabetes, too little GLP-1 is probably released or its effect is impaired. Among other things, this is why the blood glucose level of these patients rises, and consequently also the value of their long-term blood glucose, the _HbA1C. In the long run, this triggers the well-known microvascular and macrovascular sequelae that must be prevented. A GLP-1 analogue such as Semaglutide effectively contributes to their prevention by restoring blood glucose to normal^.1

Semaglutide – a modern and potent GLP-1 analogue

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 analogue that is as modern as it is potent, mimicking natural GLP-1.¹The optimized active ingredient is degraded in a delayed manner, thus prolonging the duration of action.³This creates the possibility of once-weekly administration of semaglutide^.1Semaglutide can do the following:

It normalizes elevated blood glucose in a glucose-dependent manner, thereby significantly lowering patients’ _HbA1C^.1
By regulating feelings of satiety and hunger, it can lead to weight loss.*

All of this helps patients with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes and obesity (BMI ≥ 28) achieve their treatment goals thanks to semaglutide^.1

Also of key importance for patients with type 2 diabetes is a reduction in their cardiovascular risk. Clinical studies on cardiovascular outcome (CVOT studies) demonstrate significantly fewer cardiovascular events with semaglutide^.2 Semaglutide showed a good safety profile, comparable to safety profiles of other modern antidiabetic agents^.1,2

Ozempic®^–harnessing the potential of Semaglutide

Since summer 2018, Semaglutide (^Ozempic®) has been approved in Switzerland for patients with type 2 diabetes.¹ It has two decisive plus points for achieving the therapy goals: Very good glycemic control and significant weight reduction.^1,* In addition, ^Ozempic® therapy in the clinical, placebo-controlled setting showed 26% fewer cardiovascular events after two years.²

^Ozempic® offers patients the advantage that it is applied subcutaneously only once a week^.1It is available as a ready-to-use pen and is easy to handle^.1 These arguments also convince patients and strengthen their compliance^.4 The success of the therapy and the prevention of possible secondary diseases depend on it.

*Ozempic® indicated for the treatment of inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus in addition to diet and exercise, but is not indicated for weight loss or reduction of cardiovascular events^.1

Abbreviations: CVOT: Cardiovascular Outcome Trial; GLP-1: Glucagon-like Peptide 1.

References

1. Ozempic® SmPC, www.swissmedicinfo.ch.

2 Marso et al. Semaglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. N Engl J Med 2016;375(19):1834-44.

3 Lau J, Bloch P, Schaffer L, et al. Discovery of the once-weekly glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue semaglutide. J Med Chem 2015; 58: 7370-80.

4. Polonsky et al. Patient perspectives on once-weekly medications for diabetes. Diabetes Obes Metab.2011;13:144-9.

Limitatio: For the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes, in exclusive combination therapy with metformin, a sulfonylurea, or a combination of metformin and a sulfonylurea, when adequate glycemic control is not achieved with these oral antidiabetic agents. For treatment as combination therapy with a basal insulin alone or a combination of a basal insulin with metformin when adequate glycemic control is not achieved with these treatments. Minimum BMI 28. Additional weight loss medications are not covered by health insurance.

^Ozempic® Z: Semaglutide 1.34 mg/ml. I: ^Ozempic® is used to treat adults with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus as an adjunct to diet and exercise: as monotherapy when contraindicated or intolerant to metformin; in combination with other antihyperglycemic drugs. D: The starting dose of ^Ozempic® is 0.25 mg once weekly. After 4 weeks, the dose should be increased to 0.5 mg once weekly. To improve blood glucose control, after at least 4 more weeks at a dose of 0.5 mg once per week, the dose may be increased to 1 mg once per week. Dose adjustment is not required in the elderly, in patients with impaired renal or hepatic function. ^Ozempic® is used once a week at any time and independently of meals. AI: Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to one of the excipients according to “Composition”. VM: ^Ozempic® should not be used in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus or for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis. The use of GLP-1 receptor agonists may be associated with adverse gastrointestinal effects. If pancreatitis is suspected, ^Ozempic® should be discontinued. Patients receiving ^Ozempic® in combination with a sulfonylurea or insulin may be at increased risk for hypoglycemia. ^Ozempic® should be used in patients with diabetic retinopathy only under close ophthalmologic control. IA: Gastric emptying delayed by Semaglutide may affect the absorption of concomitant oral medications. UW: Very common: hypoglycemia when used with insulin or sulfonylurea, nausea, diarrhea. Common: hypoglycemia when used with other OAD’s, decreased appetite, dizziness, complications of diabetic retinopathy, vomiting, abdominal pain, abdominal tightness, constipation, dyspepsia, gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux, belching, flatulence, cholelithiasis, increased lipase, increased amylase, weight loss, fatigue. Occasional: dysgeusia, increased heart rate, injection site reactions, acute pancreatitis. Rare: Anaphylactic reaction. P: ^Ozempic® DualDose 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg: 1 prefilled pen of 1.5 ml; ^Ozempic® FixDose 1 mg: 2 prefilled pens of 1.5 ml, 1 prefilled pen of 3 ml (B). V4.0. For detailed information, please visit www.swissmedicinfo.ch.

Release number CH20OZM00083