1 00:00:07,133 --> 00:00:10,453 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Saturday Morning with Jack team podcast 2 00:00:10,573 --> 00:00:11,773 Speaker 1: from News Talks. 3 00:00:11,453 --> 00:00:14,933 Speaker 2: A B Well, if AI is drawing a lot of hyph, 4 00:00:15,013 --> 00:00:17,373 Speaker 2: then the new weight loss medications that have taken the 5 00:00:17,373 --> 00:00:19,733 Speaker 2: world by storm over the last couple of years must 6 00:00:19,773 --> 00:00:22,773 Speaker 2: be up there on a pretty similar level. Now, one 7 00:00:22,813 --> 00:00:25,933 Speaker 2: of them, we go V, is available in New Zealand, 8 00:00:25,973 --> 00:00:28,653 Speaker 2: so you've got to get a prescription and it's not 9 00:00:28,733 --> 00:00:31,613 Speaker 2: subsidized at the stage. But doctor Brian Betty is here 10 00:00:31,653 --> 00:00:33,213 Speaker 2: with the details this morning. Kild to Brian. 11 00:00:33,853 --> 00:00:35,253 Speaker 3: Oh, Jack and I see here. 12 00:00:35,293 --> 00:00:37,493 Speaker 2: Yeah, nice to chat with you as always. So what's 13 00:00:37,533 --> 00:00:39,413 Speaker 2: we GOV look? 14 00:00:39,893 --> 00:00:42,493 Speaker 3: So look, it's a once weekly injection for weight loss 15 00:00:42,613 --> 00:00:46,133 Speaker 3: and it's it's known as a GP one agonist. That's 16 00:00:45,853 --> 00:00:49,253 Speaker 3: its its title. Now. It actually mimics a hormone we 17 00:00:49,293 --> 00:00:52,133 Speaker 3: have naturally in the gut, and this hormone makes us 18 00:00:52,133 --> 00:00:56,213 Speaker 3: feel full, reduces our desire to eat, and also controls 19 00:00:56,253 --> 00:00:59,493 Speaker 3: blood sugars in the blood. Now, it was originally this 20 00:00:59,613 --> 00:01:02,413 Speaker 3: medication called semiglue tide, that's what is called its trait. 21 00:01:02,533 --> 00:01:06,493 Speaker 3: It's its generic name. Was developed originally for diabetes, but 22 00:01:06,613 --> 00:01:09,173 Speaker 3: in higher doses was found it had this side effect 23 00:01:09,293 --> 00:01:12,653 Speaker 3: allowing you to lose weight and especially at these higher doses. 24 00:01:13,013 --> 00:01:16,453 Speaker 3: So we've had this GP one ageness for diabetes in 25 00:01:16,453 --> 00:01:19,613 Speaker 3: this country for several years now under trade name Trilicity 26 00:01:19,613 --> 00:01:21,533 Speaker 3: and the tozer, and people may be familiar with that. 27 00:01:22,173 --> 00:01:23,973 Speaker 3: But there was an interesting thing that happened in the 28 00:01:24,053 --> 00:01:27,413 Speaker 3: United States that when this was released as a medication 29 00:01:27,493 --> 00:01:30,453 Speaker 3: called a zenpic, which people may be familiar with, it 30 00:01:30,533 --> 00:01:33,373 Speaker 3: was essentially hy gob at a lower dosage and it 31 00:01:33,413 --> 00:01:36,453 Speaker 3: was used for diabetes. However, people realized it made them 32 00:01:36,453 --> 00:01:38,893 Speaker 3: lose weight, so there was a huge amount of off 33 00:01:39,013 --> 00:01:42,373 Speaker 3: label use that was prescribed. That was people started prescribing 34 00:01:42,373 --> 00:01:45,093 Speaker 3: it for weight loss. Now, interesting enough, there was suddenly 35 00:01:45,173 --> 00:01:47,453 Speaker 3: a global shortage because so much of the stuff has 36 00:01:47,493 --> 00:01:50,253 Speaker 3: been used, and we've been coping with that for our 37 00:01:50,293 --> 00:01:54,293 Speaker 3: diabetes medication for the about the last eighteen months two years. However, 38 00:01:54,333 --> 00:01:58,253 Speaker 3: production worldwide has now lifted, so there's now not a shortage, 39 00:01:58,293 --> 00:02:01,693 Speaker 3: and this medication would goby, which is a diabetes medication 40 00:02:01,813 --> 00:02:04,493 Speaker 3: at a higher dose, is now available in New Zealand. 41 00:02:04,573 --> 00:02:07,373 Speaker 2: So to be totally clear, we go is the same 42 00:02:07,453 --> 00:02:09,293 Speaker 2: as ozen pic, but just at a higher dose. 43 00:02:09,973 --> 00:02:12,933 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's the same medication as those zepic, except at 44 00:02:12,973 --> 00:02:15,613 Speaker 3: a higher dose. So so that that's a differential. So 45 00:02:15,773 --> 00:02:18,733 Speaker 3: the lower dose use for diabetes, higher dose once a 46 00:02:18,733 --> 00:02:20,133 Speaker 3: week used for weight loss. 47 00:02:20,413 --> 00:02:23,853 Speaker 2: Ah, okay, and so you can get it now for 48 00:02:24,053 --> 00:02:26,853 Speaker 2: weight loss as well as for diabetes in New Zealand. 49 00:02:27,053 --> 00:02:30,013 Speaker 3: Well you know that two things. You use a medication 50 00:02:30,093 --> 00:02:32,573 Speaker 3: called Trillicity for weight loss. But again it's this GP 51 00:02:32,613 --> 00:02:34,573 Speaker 3: one agaist. It's at a lower dose. We use that 52 00:02:34,613 --> 00:02:37,653 Speaker 3: specifically for weight loss, but we're GOV is only used 53 00:02:37,973 --> 00:02:40,493 Speaker 3: specifically for diabetes. Sorry, we're GOV is only used for 54 00:02:40,533 --> 00:02:41,693 Speaker 3: weight loss, not diabetes. 55 00:02:41,733 --> 00:02:43,773 Speaker 2: So we're GOV. You have a higher dose, use it 56 00:02:43,813 --> 00:02:47,533 Speaker 2: once a week. Trillicity is for diabetes, and you use 57 00:02:47,613 --> 00:02:49,253 Speaker 2: that or more regularly low dose. 58 00:02:49,373 --> 00:02:52,133 Speaker 3: And that that's also what we call a GP one agonist, right, 59 00:02:52,253 --> 00:02:54,413 Speaker 3: that's okay, we'll be familiar with. So so yeah, so 60 00:02:54,533 --> 00:02:56,013 Speaker 3: higher dose, that's the key thing. 61 00:02:55,973 --> 00:02:57,933 Speaker 2: And to the and to to how it works. So 62 00:02:57,973 --> 00:03:01,533 Speaker 2: it obviously kind of stops your cravings, it has that impact, 63 00:03:01,653 --> 00:03:07,853 Speaker 2: but it also has the physiological impact of controlling sugars 64 00:03:07,853 --> 00:03:08,333 Speaker 2: in the blood. 65 00:03:08,653 --> 00:03:10,573 Speaker 3: So yeah, yeah, yeah, that's right. 66 00:03:10,773 --> 00:03:14,533 Speaker 2: So if we would only have one of those, it 67 00:03:14,533 --> 00:03:17,453 Speaker 2: would still have some impact, but presumably but because it 68 00:03:17,613 --> 00:03:20,453 Speaker 2: kind of has that two tiered approach, it's particularly effective. 69 00:03:21,333 --> 00:03:23,613 Speaker 3: Yeah yeah, that's exactly right. So you do get a 70 00:03:23,613 --> 00:03:26,693 Speaker 3: little bit of weight loss and those lower dose medications. However, 71 00:03:26,693 --> 00:03:28,733 Speaker 3: when you use this higher dose, you tend to get 72 00:03:28,773 --> 00:03:31,373 Speaker 3: a larger weight loss and actually at the high dose 73 00:03:31,413 --> 00:03:35,013 Speaker 3: of the diabetes effect wears off. So so it's specifically 74 00:03:35,053 --> 00:03:36,773 Speaker 3: at this dosage used for weight loss. 75 00:03:37,093 --> 00:03:41,533 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, that's interesting. Okay, all right, so is if 76 00:03:41,533 --> 00:03:43,973 Speaker 2: we'll focus on the obesity side of things to what 77 00:03:44,093 --> 00:03:47,253 Speaker 2: extent is obesity a problem in New Zealand and why 78 00:03:47,333 --> 00:03:50,973 Speaker 2: medication shouldn't we just you know, eat better, move more, 79 00:03:51,693 --> 00:03:53,933 Speaker 2: you know, consider some of the environmental impacts, some of 80 00:03:53,973 --> 00:03:54,933 Speaker 2: the economic impacts. 81 00:03:54,933 --> 00:03:59,373 Speaker 3: Maybe, yeah, yeah, So look to your first question. Yes, 82 00:03:59,413 --> 00:04:01,573 Speaker 3: we do have a problem in New Zealand with obesity. 83 00:04:02,053 --> 00:04:04,653 Speaker 3: It is a major health issue. We estimate about thirty 84 00:04:04,693 --> 00:04:06,893 Speaker 3: percent of the population or a third of the population 85 00:04:07,853 --> 00:04:10,493 Speaker 3: could be classified as a beese or overweight, and that 86 00:04:10,613 --> 00:04:13,053 Speaker 3: is a major cost to the economy. It costs about 87 00:04:13,093 --> 00:04:15,613 Speaker 3: two billion dollars a year and associated costs such as 88 00:04:15,693 --> 00:04:20,413 Speaker 3: cardiovascular disease and diabetes, which are often associated with being overweight. 89 00:04:20,493 --> 00:04:22,493 Speaker 3: So it is a big, big issue in New Zealand. 90 00:04:23,253 --> 00:04:28,293 Speaker 3: Now you're right, good diet exercise is critically important in 91 00:04:28,373 --> 00:04:31,333 Speaker 3: weight loss and for overall health, so there's no doubt 92 00:04:31,373 --> 00:04:34,853 Speaker 3: about it. However, once you BMI gets up above that 93 00:04:34,933 --> 00:04:38,253 Speaker 3: thirty mark, it can often be very very hard to 94 00:04:38,253 --> 00:04:43,173 Speaker 3: lose weight despite lifestyle, and that's for a number of reasons. 95 00:04:43,013 --> 00:04:47,453 Speaker 3: It's due to genetics, metabolism. Everyone's slightly different with us 96 00:04:47,453 --> 00:04:49,733 Speaker 3: and for anyone who's tried to lose weight, they'll know 97 00:04:49,773 --> 00:04:51,653 Speaker 3: what I'm talking about that it can be very very 98 00:04:51,653 --> 00:04:56,253 Speaker 3: difficult the way the body is made up or individuals 99 00:04:56,653 --> 00:05:01,133 Speaker 3: metabolism is made. So what's happened is these medications become 100 00:05:01,173 --> 00:05:03,493 Speaker 3: a sort of SI I suppose an adjunct something in 101 00:05:03,613 --> 00:05:07,133 Speaker 3: the toolbox which can can be benef official for some 102 00:05:07,253 --> 00:05:09,253 Speaker 3: people to help them lose weight. Not all people, but 103 00:05:09,333 --> 00:05:11,533 Speaker 3: some people it can be very very useful, and that's 104 00:05:11,573 --> 00:05:13,293 Speaker 3: what's sort of happened over the last few years. 105 00:05:13,373 --> 00:05:16,013 Speaker 2: So it's a once weekly injection. Are they side effects? 106 00:05:16,813 --> 00:05:19,973 Speaker 3: Yeah, no, there is, Like anything, there is side effects. 107 00:05:20,493 --> 00:05:22,813 Speaker 3: So once we have the injection, you were just the 108 00:05:22,853 --> 00:05:25,693 Speaker 3: dose every month, so you start to lower dose and 109 00:05:25,773 --> 00:05:28,373 Speaker 3: ty trate the dose up every month. Now the common 110 00:05:28,413 --> 00:05:30,613 Speaker 3: side effects, we find a gastric side effect, so that's 111 00:05:30,653 --> 00:05:34,493 Speaker 3: things like nausea, bloating, loose bowel motions, and burping. They 112 00:05:34,493 --> 00:05:36,893 Speaker 3: tend to be relatively minor and they can be managed 113 00:05:36,933 --> 00:05:40,813 Speaker 3: by a dusting diet generally. Now there are some as always, 114 00:05:40,813 --> 00:05:44,013 Speaker 3: there are some more serious side effects, and pancreous inflammation 115 00:05:44,093 --> 00:05:47,933 Speaker 3: can be one. Vowel obstruction it can actually be another. 116 00:05:48,293 --> 00:05:50,253 Speaker 3: And actually a fast heart rate is another one that's 117 00:05:50,293 --> 00:05:54,533 Speaker 3: sometimes seen. Now again those are very rare, especially the 118 00:05:54,573 --> 00:05:57,653 Speaker 3: pancreous inflammation of our obstruction, so we shouldn't get too 119 00:05:57,653 --> 00:05:59,813 Speaker 3: concerned about it, but we need to be aware of them. 120 00:06:00,253 --> 00:06:03,853 Speaker 3: Most people can take the medication with very few issues, 121 00:06:03,933 --> 00:06:05,133 Speaker 3: so it's not fine. 122 00:06:05,293 --> 00:06:07,533 Speaker 2: Right, So it's not und to buy farmat costs about 123 00:06:07,573 --> 00:06:09,173 Speaker 2: five hundred bucks a year. How long do you take 124 00:06:09,173 --> 00:06:09,453 Speaker 2: it for? 125 00:06:10,773 --> 00:06:16,773 Speaker 3: Yeah, look so yeah, yeah, six thousand years. So no, 126 00:06:16,813 --> 00:06:20,173 Speaker 3: they're not funded by expensive Yeah, it is expensive medication, 127 00:06:20,253 --> 00:06:23,453 Speaker 3: so it's a real consideration. Look, Unfortunately, a lot of 128 00:06:23,453 --> 00:06:26,613 Speaker 3: the studies now show that once if you do lose weight, 129 00:06:26,733 --> 00:06:29,853 Speaker 3: if you stop the medication, then within two years your 130 00:06:29,853 --> 00:06:32,053 Speaker 3: weight tends to come back on. The body is very 131 00:06:32,053 --> 00:06:34,373 Speaker 3: good at putting the weight back on and storing energy. 132 00:06:34,693 --> 00:06:37,333 Speaker 3: It's pre program to do that, so that that's a 133 00:06:37,453 --> 00:06:40,053 Speaker 3: real issue. Regardless of how we lose weight, that tends 134 00:06:40,093 --> 00:06:42,733 Speaker 3: to be a problem. So there has been a shift 135 00:06:42,773 --> 00:06:45,093 Speaker 3: to thinking over the last few years that, look, these 136 00:06:45,173 --> 00:06:50,013 Speaker 3: medications may be needed to use long term. That that 137 00:06:50,333 --> 00:06:53,493 Speaker 3: sort of like our diabetes medications or our blood pressure medications, 138 00:06:53,493 --> 00:06:56,293 Speaker 3: that obesity medications may be a long term chronic care 139 00:06:56,413 --> 00:06:59,653 Speaker 3: medication that we have to use. And there certainly is 140 00:06:59,693 --> 00:07:02,213 Speaker 3: starting to be a shift in thinking too that way. However, 141 00:07:02,773 --> 00:07:05,733 Speaker 3: it is safe to use long term, so that that's 142 00:07:05,773 --> 00:07:07,773 Speaker 3: the issue that let's see it. So there's certainly a 143 00:07:07,813 --> 00:07:09,293 Speaker 3: safe medication for long term use. 144 00:07:09,453 --> 00:07:11,773 Speaker 2: Thanks for your time, Brian, We really appreciate it. Ano'd 145 00:07:11,813 --> 00:07:13,773 Speaker 2: be so much interest in that. Doctor Brian Betty with 146 00:07:13,853 --> 00:07:14,493 Speaker 2: us this morning. 147 00:07:15,053 --> 00:07:18,173 Speaker 1: For more from Saturday Morning with Jack Tame, listen live 148 00:07:18,253 --> 00:07:21,053 Speaker 1: to News Talks ed b from nine am Saturday, or 149 00:07:21,133 --> 00:07:23,053 Speaker 1: follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.