Hormonal
Subcutaneous semaglutide (up to 1.0 mg once-weekly) produces significantly greater reductions in BMI and waist circumference compared to liraglutide (up to 3.0 mg once-daily) in obese patients with type 2 diabetes over a 12-month period, while both agents significantly lower HbA1c.
For obese patients with type 2 diabetes, switching from or choosing semaglutide over liraglutide is likely to result in greater weight loss and waist circumference reduction. While both drugs effectively lower blood sugar, semaglutide offers superior body composition benefits. Patients should be aware that gastrointestinal side effects are common, especially with semaglutide, but these often subside as the dose is titrated up.
Semaglutide was more effective than liraglutide in reducing HbA1c and BMI... Semaglutide compared to liraglutide resulted in significantly greater reduction in BMI in the analyzed study period (p=0.017)... Semaglutide compared to liraglutide resulted in significantly greater reduction in waist circumference in the analyzed study period (p=0.002)
Why this rating
Prospective observational cohort study with a large sample size (n=460) and rigorous statistical analysis, though not a randomized controlled trial.
Source
Relative Effectiveness and Safety of the GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide 1) Receptor Agonists, Semaglutide and Liraglutide in the Treatment of Obese Type 2 Diabetics: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study in Poland
Karolina Hoffmann et al. · Diabetes Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity · 2025
DOI 10.2147/dmso.s531697
Related findings · Hormonal
- Initial treatment for type 2 diabetes should be a combination of metformin and either an SGLT-2 inhibitor or a GLP-1 receptor agonist to achieve cardiorenal protection, rather than monotherapy or older agents like sulfonylureas.Strong
- For patients with specific monogenic obesity syndromes (leptin deficiency, POMC/PCSK1/LEPR mutations), targeted pharmacotherapy (recombinant leptin or setmelanotide) is highly effective and should be prioritized, unlike in polygenic obesity.Strong
- Continued weekly administration of 2.4 mg subcutaneous semaglutide prevents weight regain and promotes further weight loss in adults with overweight or obesity, whereas switching to placebo results in significant weight regain.Strong
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