Jump to: What did the new study do? | What were the results of the study? | Take home message
A recent study published by researchers from University College London and Cambridge University has suggested that Ozempic (semaglutide, the same drug used in weight-loss injection, Wegovy) is safe and well tolerated by most people.
Ozempic (semaglutide) is a long-acting type 2 diabetes medication taken once a week. It mimics a hormone in the body called GLP-1.
Ozempic reduces hunger and food-seeking behaviours by communicating with the brain’s appetite control centre, the hypothalamus. It also helps the pancreas release more insulin to manage blood sugar levels.
Semaglutide is the same drug in Wegovy, which is prescribed for people living with obesity in the UK and is available in higher doses than Ozempic (up to 2.4 mg compared to 1 mg).
Randomised controlled trials have shown that Wegovy supports an average weight loss of around 16% after one year.
These trials have also consistently shown that Wegovy is safe and effective for most people, with less than 10% stopping the medication due to adverse effects.
Research on Ozempic has also shown a favourable safety profile alongside positive weight loss and blood sugar improvements.
Still, concerns remained regarding the safety of semaglutide due to various reports in the media.
Additionally, there are concerns over bias in the research on semaglutide, which has been primarily funded by Novo Nordisk, the pharmaceutical company that manufactures the drug.
However, this new study was published by researchers with no external funding or ties to the pharmaceutical industry.
What did the new study do?
The study was a retrospective review of 40 overweight or obese individuals prescribed semaglutide in a clinic in Athens, Greece.
Patients were prescribed semaglutide starting at 0.25 mg, rising to 0.5 mg after 4 weeks, and 1 mg after eight weeks before maintaining this dose. Some patients were prescribed up to 2 mg, determined on a patient-by-patient basis.
All patients also received counselling sessions on nutrition and health to support the development of healthy habits alongside the medication.
The researchers collected baseline data for weight, blood sugar, cardiovascular blood markers, and any underlying health conditions.
The main focus of the study was to investigate the impact on weight loss, blood sugar, and the frequency and severity of side effects in a real-world setting.
Under controlled research conditions, greater adherence to medication and intervention is expected as participants often receive more support. We usually change our behaviour when observed in settings like this, which is known as the ‘Hawthorne effect’.
In real-world settings, we’re more likely to behave how we usually would, rather than changing our behaviour due to the Hawthorne effect.
So, one of the key questions of this study was whether the weight loss results and side effects would mirror those observed in more controlled settings.
What were the results of the study?
The study showed that Ozempic supported significant weight loss after 3 and 6 months.
At 3 months, weight loss was 7.4 kg (6.6% of baseline weight), with 70% of participants achieving >5% weight loss and 20% achieving >10% weight loss.
After 6 months, 88% achieved 5% weight loss, 68% achieved 10%, and 32% exceeded 15% of their baseline weight.
Interestingly, the 1 mg and 2 mg doses had similar weight loss: 13.6% and 12.8% after 6 months, respectively.
Regarding safety, 65% of patients experienced adverse events, which were mostly mild to moderate and typically GI-related, such as nausea and vomiting.
Notably, only one case (2.5%) led to treatment discontinuation. This mirrors discontinuation rates seen in larger trials on semaglutide, where discontinuation rates were typically between 2.9% and 9%.
Additionally, no cases of acute pancreatitis (a side effect historically linked to GLP-1 medications) were reported.
Take home message
Extensive randomised controlled trials on semaglutide suggested that it was safe and effective for most people, with discontinuation rates less than 10% and as low as 2.9% in some trials.
Despite historical links to acute pancreatitis and thyroid complications, no research has yet shown a connection between the newer generation of weight-loss injections like semaglutide and tirzepatide and these conditions.
The study we’ve analysed today provides further evidence that semaglutide is a safe and effective medication for patients living with obesity and obesity-related conditions like type 2 diabetes.
The authors of this study concluded:
“The discontinuation rate in this study was low at 2.5%, similar to the 2.9% reported in another real-world study and lower than 5.9%-7.7% in STEP trials , but this difference might be explained by the longer follow-up period in RCTs.
No cases of pancreatitis or gallbladder-related disease were recorded in this cohort in line with another real-world study, while STEP trials reported an increased likelihood for cholelithiasis at a rate of 0.8%-3.5%.
In contrast to the tortuous history of AOMs [anti-obesity medications] littered with numerous drug withdrawals due to adverse events, the mounting evidence for the good safety profile of semaglutide and its much greater magnitude of weight loss could change dramatically the landscape of obesity management, encompassing the widespread use of pharmacotherapy.”
If you’re currently living with obesity or type 2 diabetes and are considering GLP-1 medications like Wegovy or Mounjaro, you can have peace of mind that the current evidence suggests they’re safe and effective for most people.
Second Nature has a Wegovy and Mounjaro weight-loss programme for people living with obesity and obesity-related conditions like type 2 diabetes. Click here to take your health quiz and see if you’re eligible.
