The clinical evidence also suggests that Semaglutide may also help obese patients with weight loss, leaving the patient feeling more satisfied after eating. Semaglutide (Ozempic) And Weight Loss
Whilst Ozempic has been marketed and licensed for Diabetes, the active ingredient (Semaglutide) has shown to suppress appetite and help the person taking it feel fuller quicker after a meal and for longer. This means that those taking Semaglutide are not just likely to consume less during a meal, feeling fuller for longer would mean being less likely to snack as much between meals. This reduction in appetite may also contribute to patients eating smaller portions than what they’re used to. An overall significantly less calorie deficit would tend to result in patients beginning to lose weight when they start taking Ozempic. A number of clinical trials have been carried out to show the effectiveness of Semaglutide as a weight loss drug. In one such study, 957 participants had taken part, all with a BMI of 30 or above, over 18 years of age and non-diabetic. The study found that 957 participants with a BMI of 30 kg/m2 or more took part in a clinical trial to test the efficacy of Semaglutide as weight loss drug. Eligible participants were adults over the age of 18 years, who did not have diabetes. 37-65% of those taking Semaglutide lost an estimated 10% or more body weight across all doses. In comparison, those who took the placebo (non-active medication), the same weight loss was seen in only 10% of those participants. This study concluded that in combination with dietary and physical activity counselling, semaglutide was well tolerated over 52 weeks and showed clinically relevant weight loss compared with placebo at all doses. Semaglutide is already available to be prescribed in the UK and is licensed to treat type-2 diabetes under the name of Ozempic®. An application has been submitted to the regulatory authorities and in the process of being approved as a weight loss medication in the near future. Ozempic is approved in the UK and there is sufficient clinical evidence in weight loss. It has been generally well-tolerated by people who do not have Type 2 Diabetes with no new safety concerns arising in the recent clinical trials. An independent prescriber is permitted to prescribe it for weight loss as long as they feel it is clinically appropriate and justified.
