A recent study published in JAMA Network Open reveals that semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) demonstrates superior weight loss outcomes compared to liraglutide (Saxenda) in adults treated for obesity and type 2 diabetes. The analysis of nearly 3,400 patients showed a significantly higher proportion of individuals on semaglutide achieving clinically meaningful weight loss.
The study, conducted by researchers at the Cleveland Clinic, analyzed data from 2015 to 2022, focusing on adults treated with either semaglutide or liraglutide. Semaglutide, approved in 2017 for diabetes and 2021 for obesity, and liraglutide, approved in 2010 for diabetes and 2014 for obesity, both mimic the GLP-1 hormone, regulating insulin, blood sugar, appetite, and digestion.
The results indicated that 61% of obesity patients and 23% of type 2 diabetes patients on semaglutide experienced a weight loss of 10% or more of their body weight after one year. In contrast, only 29% of obesity patients and 12% of type 2 diabetes patients on liraglutide achieved similar weight loss.
Dosage and Patient Factors
The study also found that average weight change with semaglutide was a 13% loss in obesity patients and 7% loss in type 2 diabetes patients who adhered to the medication for a year. Liraglutide, on the other hand, resulted in approximately 6% weight loss in obesity patients and 3% in type 2 diabetes patients with similar adherence.
Lead investigator Hamlet Gasoyan from the Cleveland Clinic emphasized the importance of these findings, stating, "Our findings could help inform patients and providers regarding some of the key factors that are associated with the probability of achieving sustained weight loss of a magnitude large enough to provide clinically significant health benefits."
Clinical Implications
Achieving a 10% or greater reduction in body weight has been shown to provide clinically significant health benefits, including improved blood sugar levels, potential diabetes remission, and better cholesterol levels, ultimately promoting heart health. The study underscores that factors such as higher doses of semaglutide, treatment for obesity rather than diabetes, adherence to the drug schedule, higher BMI at baseline, and female gender were associated with greater weight loss.
Future Directions
While this study provides valuable real-world evidence, it did not include data on tirzepatide (Zepbound), the latest GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for weight loss. Further research comparing all three medications would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their relative effectiveness. The researchers highlight that persistence with medication is crucial for achieving meaningful results in weight management.
