Tag: Setmelanotide

In recent years, the conversation around novel weight management therapies has become increasingly complex, leading to questions about different drug classes. As of late 2023, the global prevalence of obesity continued to be a major health concern, driving the development of specialized medications. One such drug, setmelanotide, is often discussed alongside popular weight-loss treatments, raising the question: Is setmelanotide a GLP-1? The definitive answer is no, they belong to entirely different pharmacological classes with distinct mechanisms of action and patient populations.

According to the World Health Organization, the percentage of overweight or obese individuals aged 5-19 years increased from 4% in 1975 to 18% in 2016, highlighting the need for targeted therapies. For specific and rare genetic forms of obesity, the precise answer to the question, what is the classification of setmelanotide?, reveals its role as a targeted, precision medicine.

Rare genetic disorders are responsible for an estimated 40-70% of an individual's predisposition to obesity. For some of these conditions, a key question is: **what type of drug is setmelanotide?** It is a first-in-class melanocortin 4 (MC4) receptor agonist designed to address the root cause of insatiable hunger.