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A company has been advertising and offering a form of semaglutide that’s taken under the tongue (sublingual) to some UK clinics, even though the drug’s maker, Novo Nordisk, has raised concerns. Semaglutide is already widely prescribed as an injectable for diabetes and as Wegovy/Ozempic for weight loss. The new pitch is that a tablet you dissolve under your tongue could do the same thing, and some practices have been approached to supply it despite the original manufacturer warning about that route. Semaglutide is a lab-made version of a hormone your gut makes after you eat. That hormone tells your brain you’ve had enough to eat and slows how fast your stomach empties. Injected semaglutide has proven benefits in clinical trials for lowering blood sugar and helping people lose weight. It’s a prescription medicine that has specific formulations and approved ways to be given — usually as a once-weekly under-skin shot. A sublingual form would try to deliver the same active molecule through the tissues under the tongue instead of by injection. The reports don’t describe a new large randomized trial proving the sublingual form works as well as the injections. What’s been reported is commercial activity — offers to clinics — and concern from Novo Nordisk that these alternative products may not be equivalent, safe, or authorized. That means we don’t have trustworthy, big human studies showing the sublingual product gives the same benefits or has the same dose control. If there were only small or no formal studies, any claimed effects are uncertain. The news is mainly about distribution and regulatory worry, not new proof of effectiveness. This matters because if a sublingual semaglutide were legitimate and worked the same way, it could be easier for some people who dislike injections. But without solid evidence and regulatory approval, switching to an unverified form could mean getting less benefit, inconsistent dosing, or unexpected side effects. Patients using prescribed semaglutide for diabetes or weight loss should be cautious about alternatives and discuss any changes with their clinician. Clinics considering offering such products should weigh legal and safety issues and look for clear regulatory guidance. The big caveats are that Novo Nordisk has flagged concerns — which usually means questions about quality, safety, or whether the product is authorized — and regulators haven’t endorsed this sublingual route as equivalent. Known side effects of semaglutide injections include nausea, stomach issues, and rare serious risks like pancreatitis or gallbladder problems; how those translate to a different formulation isn’t established. People who are pregnant, have certain medical conditions, or are on interacting medications should not switch or start new forms without medical advice. Check whether a product is licensed and look for peer-reviewed studies before assuming it’s safe or effective. Bottom line: clinics are being offered a sublingual version of semaglutide, but there’s not yet solid public evidence or regulatory approval that it’s as safe or effective as the established injectable forms.
Source: Yahoo