Hormonal
Once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide 2.4 mg, when combined with lifestyle interventions, produces clinically significant weight loss (average 14.9-16.0% body weight reduction) in adults with obesity or overweight with comorbidities, significantly outperforming placebo and daily liraglutide 3.0 mg.
If you have obesity or are overweight with a related health issue, once-weekly semaglutide 2.4 mg is a highly effective tool for weight loss when combined with diet and exercise. It works by mimicking a hormone that slows digestion and reduces appetite. You start with a low dose to minimize stomach upset, then increase it weekly until you reach the full dose. Expect significant weight loss (around 15%) over 6-8 months, which is much more than diet and exercise alone. Be aware of potential side effects like nausea, which usually fade, and avoid the medication if you have a specific family history of thyroid cancer.
Across all published trials, semaglutide demonstrated a statistically significant greater percent decrease in weight from baseline and a greater likelihood of patients losing ≥5% of their body weight when compared with either placebo or liraglutide.
Why this rating
Based on multiple large-scale, randomized, placebo-controlled phase 3 trials (STEP program) with consistent results.
Source
Once-Weekly Semaglutide for Weight Management: A Clinical Review
Abby Fornes et al. · Journal of Pharmacy Technology · 2022
DOI 10.1177/87551225221092681
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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