What to know
- SEVMIA is a generic version of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy, and is approved for chronic weight management in Canada.
- The drug is a once-weekly injection for patients aged 12 and older, to be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
- SEVMIA should not be combined with Ozempic or any other semaglutide product, and can cause side effects such as nausea, headache, and digestive issues.
- Patients should consult their healthcare provider to determine if SEVMIA is appropriate for them.
Health Canada approved the first generic version of the weight-loss drug Wegovy. Here’s what it means for those seeking to lose weight medically.
Canadian-based global health company, Apotex, has collaborated with Orbicular Pharmaceutical Technologies to develop SEVMIA.
SEVMIA is a generic semaglutide, defined as an injectable medication that mimics a natural gut hormone to regulate blood sugar, slow digestion, and increase feelings of fullness.
The injection contains the same active ingredient as popular brand Wegovy.
Apotex said in a news release that SEVMIA should be used for chronic weight management in adults with a BMI over 30kg/m², and to reduce the risk of non-fatal myocardial infarction in adults with established cardiovascular disease and BMI over 27kg/m².
“The approval of SEVMIA™ demonstrates the strength of our peptide development platform and the scientific rigor applied by both teams to meet Health Canada’s requirements,” Dr. M. S. Mohan, Managing Director, Orbicular Pharmaceutical Technologies, said in a news release.
SEVMIA should be used once a week for patients 12 years of age or older as a supplement to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
“SEVMIA should not be used in combination with Ozempic or any other semaglutide-containing product,” a Health Canada spokesperson told Now Toronto.
The drug affects patients’ guts, brains, and other organs – making them feel full, reducing cravings and decreasing their appetite.
But, like all medicines, this drug can cause side effects.
The very common side effects, which may affect more than one in 10 people, but tend to go away with time, include:
- Feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting), diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain.
- Feeling weak or tired.
- Headache.
Common side effects, which may affect up to one in ten people, include:
- Feeling dizzy.
- Upset stomach or indigestion, burping, gas, bloating, inflamed stomach (gastritis), reflux or heartburn.
- Hair loss.
- Injection site reactions.
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in patients with diabetes.
- Low blood pressure.
- Hemorrhoids.
- Changes in the way food or drinks taste.
“Healthcare professionals are responsible for making decisions about which medications to prescribe to their patients,” a Health Canada spokesperson said, and recommended Canadians seeking information on whether SEVMIA is appropriate for them to speak with their health care professional.
