Hormonal
Semaglutide (2.4 mg weekly) combined with intensive behavioral therapy produces significantly greater weight loss (16.0%) and cardiometabolic improvements compared to behavioral therapy alone (5.7%).
If you have obesity or overweight with related health issues, combining a weekly semaglutide injection (titrated to 2.4 mg) with intensive lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, counseling) can lead to substantial weight loss (around 16%) and better heart health markers compared to lifestyle changes alone. Be aware that stopping the drug may lead to weight regain, so it is intended for long-term management.
In a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of participants undergoing intensive behavioural therapy... those who also received semaglutide (2.4 mg) lost an average of 16.0% of their baseline weight, compared with 5.7% among those who received placebo. Participants who received semaglutide had improvements in diastolic blood pressure, lipid profiles and glycated hemoglobin levels.
Why this rating
Based on a cited Randomized Controlled Trial (STEP 3) comparing drug to placebo with behavioral therapy.
Source
Novel obesity treatments
Shohinee Sarma et al. · Canadian Medical Association Journal · 2023
DOI 10.1503/cmaj.230820
More from this paper
- Tirzepatide (5-15 mg weekly) results in significant mean weight loss (15.0-20.9%) and improvements in waist circumference, blood pressure, and lipid levels compared to placebo.Strong
- GLP-1 receptor agonists (Semaglutide and Tirzepatide) are associated with gastrointestinal adverse effects and specific contraindications, including personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer.Good
- Post-market surveillance is investigating potential links between GLP-1 receptor agonists and suicidal ideation, as well as an increased risk of thyroid cancer of all histologic subtypes.Moderate
Related findings · Hormonal
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- 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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