Which obesity medication is a once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for weight management at 2.4 mg?

Which obesity medication is a once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for weight management at 2.4 mg?

• A. Liraglutide (Saxenda)
• B. Orlistat (Xenical)
• C. Naltrexone/bupropion (Contrave)
• D. Semaglutide (Wegovy)

Answer: (D)

A key idea here is that Wegovy uses a GLP-1 receptor agonist given once weekly, with a maintenance dose of 2.4 mg. Semaglutide, sold as Wegovy for obesity, works by activating GLP-1 receptors in the brain and gut, which reduces appetite and slows gastric emptying, helping people eat less and lose weight over time. The weekly dosing improves convenience and adherence compared with daily medications, and the 2.4 mg weekly dose is specifically approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight plus weight-related conditions. Liraglutide is also a GLP-1 receptor agonist, but it’s administered daily and uses a higher daily dose (up to 3 mg), so it doesn’t fit the “once-weekly at 2.4 mg” criterion. Orlistat acts by inhibiting fat absorption in the gut and is not a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Naltrexone/bupropion works through different pathways related to reward and appetite control and is not a GLP-1 receptor agonist or weekly.

A key idea here is that Wegovy uses a GLP-1 receptor agonist given once weekly, with a maintenance dose of 2.4 mg. Semaglutide, sold as Wegovy for obesity, works by activating GLP-1 receptors in the brain and gut, which reduces appetite and slows gastric emptying, helping people eat less and lose weight over time. The weekly dosing improves convenience and adherence compared with daily medications, and the 2.4 mg weekly dose is specifically approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight plus weight-related conditions.

Liraglutide is also a GLP-1 receptor agonist, but it’s administered daily and uses a higher daily dose (up to 3 mg), so it doesn’t fit the “once-weekly at 2.4 mg” criterion. Orlistat acts by inhibiting fat absorption in the gut and is not a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Naltrexone/bupropion works through different pathways related to reward and appetite control and is not a GLP-1 receptor agonist or weekly.