Argentina’s medicines regulator has authorised a 7.2 mg weekly dose of semaglutide, expanding options for personalised obesity management amid promising trial results and ongoing safety assessment.
Argentina’s medicines regulator has approved a higher weekly dose of semaglutide for adults with obesity, widening the options available to doctors treating a condition that often requires long-term, individualised care. According to Perfil, ANMAT has authorised a 7.2 mg dose of Wegovy for adults with obesity, including those with type 2 diabetes, adding to the lower maintenance doses already in use.
The move is designed to give clinicians more room to adjust treatment to a patient’s response and clinical goals. The medication can be delivered with the devices already in circulation, meaning no new injection system is needed. ANMAT’s existing registration for semaglutide in Argentina also states that Wegovy is intended to support weight control alongside a reduced-calorie diet and more physical activity.
Semaglutide belongs to the GLP-1 class of medicines, which mimic a naturally occurring hormone involved in appetite control, fullness and blood sugar regulation. In practice, the drug is not a stand-alone solution: it is meant to be used with lifestyle changes and under medical supervision. That point matters because obesity is a complex chronic disease, and treatment plans can range from diet and exercise to psychological support, medication and, in some cases, surgery.
The approval is backed by the STEP UP and STEP UP diabetes trials, which examined the 7.2 mg dose in adults with obesity, with and without type 2 diabetes. Perfil reported that the larger study included 1,407 participants without diabetes, while the diabetes trial enrolled 514 people. In the non-diabetes group, average weight loss reached about 21% after 72 weeks, and roughly one in three participants lost at least a quarter of their starting weight. The higher dose also outperformed both the 2.4 mg dose and placebo.
Researchers saw signs of benefit within about four weeks, with weight reduction continuing over the course of treatment. Among early responders, average loss was closer to 28% by week 72, though doctors caution that an early response does not guarantee the same outcome for every patient. A separate analysis of body composition suggested that most of the weight lost came from fat rather than lean tissue, though that finding pooled data from the 2.4 mg and 7.2 mg groups.
Novo Nordisk’s Natalia Pugnaloni said the treatment of obesity needs to be tailored because patients do not begin from the same point or respond in the same way. The company also said the safety profile at 7.2 mg matched what is already known about semaglutide, with the most common side effects remaining gastrointestinal, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation and abdominal discomfort. The medicine still carries contraindications and warnings, and it should only be used with proper medical follow-up.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
