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Some sufferers taking GLP-1 medicines for weight reduction, and people who are pressured to modify to a different medicine because of modifications in insurance coverage protection, they aren’t glad with it.
As of July 1, CVS Caremark (one of many largest pharmacy revenue managers within the US) dropped Zepbound (Tirzepatide) from its most popular drug checklist and changed it with Wegovy (Semaglutide).
Zepbound is made by Eli Lilly, together with its corresponding diabetes medicine, Mounjaro, whereas Wegovy is produced by Novo Nordisk, which makes Ozempic.
CVS Caremark drops protection of frequent weight reduction medicines
CVS Caremark has condemned the rising prices of change. In a June 27 assertion on its web site, the corporate mentioned, “drug producers are liable for setting drug costs on their very own, they usually worth these medicine at excessive value, making it tough for many individuals to entry them.”
CVS Caremark mentioned it should companion with Novo Nordisk to “decrease the costs of out-of-pocket medicine” to “considerably enhance member entry to Wegovy at a extra inexpensive worth.”
Some sufferers taking GLP-1 medicines to take weight reduction have been pressured to modify to a different medicine because of modifications in insurance coverage protection. (istock)
“On July 1, 2025, we’ll desire Wegovy and take prescription actions to take away Zepbound,” the assertion continued. “We are assured that our resolution to desire Wegovy within the industrial template method will enable for a wider and extra inexpensive protection of weight management medicines whereas sustaining medical integrity.”
Dr. Tro Kalayjian, a board-certified doctor based mostly in New York and working towards weight problems medication, famous {that a} lack of affected person choice at all times has a adverse impact on sufferers.
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“Drug switching isn’t at all times seamless. In many instances, administration must be reinduced and unwanted effects can reappear.”
Many sufferers who obtained letters from Caremark concerning the Switch have expressed issues on social media.
“I simply authorized Zepbound two months in the past. I solely lasted for 2 months and it is already down 25.8 kilos,” wrote one consumer on Reddit. “I’ve now elevated my two doses since my third month. There have been few unwanted effects. It’s working rather well for me. I’m actually nervous about having to modify medicines.”
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Another consumer wrote, “I despatched a letter saying that CVS is not lined and I can transfer to Wegovy. But I attempted Wegovy earlier than Zepbound. There needs to be an exception to this rule.
“It’s working rather well for me. I’m actually nervous about having to modify medicines.”
CVS Caremark has beforehand examined Wegovy with sufferers
Experienced “extreme or insufferable unwanted effects” or “failure to attain ample weight reduction” could be requested for a “exception to the method” lined by one other weight reduction medicine.
“You or your supplier could provoke an exception request, which permits a case-by-case medical necessities evaluation to find out whether or not compensation for different remedy is suitable based mostly in your medical scenario,” the corporate mentioned.
Zepbound is made by Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly, together with its counterpart diabetes drug Mounjaro. (istock)
Patients can select to buy Zepbound straight from Eli Lily, Kalayjian famous, however the drug is dear and prices round $300 to $500 a month.
“Unfortunately, individuals are very determined. They are shopping for research-grade medicines from Tiktok and social media,” he warned.
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Kalayjian identified that Zepbound is “barely efficient” than Wegovy as a result of it has a further mechanism, however each medicine are “very related” in weight reduction outcomes.
“I’m feeling rather less nauseous and vomiting from Zepbound,” he added.
A current research discovered that tilzepatide achieved better weight reduction than semaglutide, inflicting members to lose about 50 kilos (20.2% of their physique weight). (istock)
In a current 72-week medical trial printed in The New England Journal of Medicine, researchers in contrast the protection and efficacy of tilzepatide (Zepbound) and Semaglutide (Wegovy).
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This research discovered that tilzepatide achieved better weight reduction, inflicting members to drop roughly 50 kilos (20.2% of physique weight).
“Drug switching isn’t at all times seamless. In many instances, administration requires re-study and unwanted effects can re-emerge,” one skilled mentioned. (istock)
Overall, 32% of individuals taking tilzepatide misplaced no less than 25% of their physique weight. Semaglutide customers misplaced about 16%.
Tilzepatide customers additionally reported a “important discount in waist perimeter” than semaglutide customers.
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The reported unwanted effects are very related for the 2 medicine, with 44% experiencing nausea and 25% experiencing stomach ache.