Higher Semaglutide Dose Shows Stronger Weight Loss Benefits, Study Finds

An international study published on Monday found that a higher weekly dose of semaglutide (7.2 mg) is safe for adults living with obesity. The treatment can also lead to significant weight loss, including in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

The research, derived from two large-scale phase 3 clinical trials and featured in ‘The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology’, indicates that higher doses of semaglutide may offer an effective option for individuals who have struggled to lose weight with current therapies.

Researchers from Canada, the US, Denmark, Norway, and Portugal stated, “The currently approved dose of semaglutide is 2.4 mg, and the study showed 7.2 mg is safe and leads to additional weight reduction.”

In adults without diabetes, participants taking the 7.2 mg dose lost an average of nearly 19 per cent of their body weight, compared with 16 per cent for those on 2.4 mg and 4 per cent for the placebo group.

Almost half of those on the higher dose lost 20 per cent or more of their weight, while about one-third shed at least 25 per cent.

The team noted, “Participants also experienced improvements in waist circumference, blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels, all key factors in reducing obesity-related health risks.”

Among adults with obesity and T2D, the 7.2 mg dose produced an average weight loss of 13 per cent, surpassing the 10 per cent seen with 2.4 mg and 3.9 per cent with placebo, along with notable reductions in blood sugar levels and waist size.

Safety and Side Effects

The trials reported that the higher dose was generally well tolerated.

Gastrointestinal issues, such as nausea and diarrhoea, as well as sensory symptoms like tingling, were the most common side effects.

Most were manageable, resolved over time, and did not result in participants leaving the study.

The study reported no increase in serious adverse events or cases of severe hypoglycemia.

“The higher dose could help more people reach their health goals and reduce the burden of obesity-related complications worldwide,” said the research team from the University of Porto, while emphasising the need for further studies to assess long-term benefits and risks.

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