Semaglutide Success Rate in Clinical Trials
The consistent results across multiple randomized clinical trials reinforce semaglutide’s role as a powerful weight management tool. Not only does it lead to significant weight loss, but it also provides metabolic and cardiovascular benefits, making it a valuable option for individuals struggling with obesity and related comorbidities.
The sustained weight reduction observed in long-term studies further supports semaglutide’s potential in chronic weight management, setting it apart from other anti-obesity medications. In this section, we will explore the clinical trials that demonstrated semaglutide’s success in weight loss
The STEP Trials: Clinical Evidence for Semaglutide’s Effectiveness
The STEP trials have provided robust clinical evidence supporting the efficacy of semaglutide for weight management. In randomized clinical trials, participants treated with semaglutide experienced impressive weight loss compared to the placebo group:
STEP 1 (68 weeks)
Participants in the semaglutide group in the placebo-controlled STEP 1 study received once-weekly semaglutide for 68 weeks. They lost an average of 14.9% of their baseline body weight, while the placebo group lost only 2.4%.
STEP 5 (2 years)
Weight loss in the semaglutide group was sustained at -15.2% in the STEP 5 study versus -2.6% in the placebo group.
SELECT Trial (4 years)
For patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes included in the SELECT trial, semaglutide resulted in a 10.2% weight loss and a 20% reduction in cardiovascular disease, demonstrating both long-term weight management benefits and cardiovascular protection.
These findings from high-quality clinical trials, such as those published in journals like JAMA, Lancet, and the N Engl J Med, highlight the strong efficacy of semaglutide treatment for people with obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Real-World Data vs. Clinical Trials
Real-world data aligns with clinical trials, showing significant weight loss but higher discontinuation rates due to gastrointestinal side effects like nausea and constipation.
Despite this, semaglutide remains effective for weight management in most patients.
Insights from Real-World Data
Real-world studies, like a Mayo Clinic study of 175 patients, show that the effects of semaglutide closely mirror those observed in clinical trials. After 3 months, patients experienced 5.9% weight loss, which increased to 10.9% at 6 months, consistent with clinical trial results.
However, discontinuation rates are higher in real-world settings, often due to gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea and constipation, and financial barriers.
Discontinuation
While semaglutide is highly effective for weight loss, some individuals discontinue treatment due to adverse events like nausea, constipation, and diarrhea. Despite these side effects, the metabolic benefits and significant weight reduction often outweigh the discomfort for most users.
However, weight gain is what we fear when stopping semaglutide. Research indicates that within a year of stopping treatment and lifestyle intervention, participants experienced a weight regain of two-thirds of the weight they had lost, along with reversals in cardiometabolic improvements.
This highlights the need for long-term weight management strategies to sustain results after discontinuation.
Learn about how to keep your weight off after stopping semaglutide.
Who Benefits Most from Semaglutide?
Ideal Candidates for Semaglutide
Semaglutide is FDA-approved for people with obesity, defined as those with a BMI ≥30 or those with a BMI ≥27 who also have weight-related comorbidities such as hypertension, cholesterol abnormalities, and type 2 diabetes.
Semaglutide vs. Other GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
While semaglutide is highly effective, other GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as liraglutide (Saxenda) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro), also offer weight loss benefits.
Tirzepatide, for instance, has demonstrated even greater weight losspotential in research studies than semaglutide and liraglutide. Still, semaglutide remains a popular choice due to its proven track record in clinical trials and real-world effectiveness.
