A recent study has revealed promising results regarding the use of liraglutide, a popular prescription drug commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes and manage weight in adults, for weight loss in children. The drug, also known as Victoza or Saxenda, belongs to the same class of medicine as semaglutide, the drug behind Ozempic and Wegovy.
Initially approved in the US as an adjunct therapy for type 2 diabetes in 2010, liraglutide was later approved for weight management in adults who are overweight or obese. Despite its increasing popularity, the long-term effects of liraglutide and similar drugs are still under investigation, particularly among adults. The use of these drugs in children has also been a topic of controversy.
In 2019, the US Food and Drug Administration approved liraglutide for use in patients with type 2 diabetes who are 10 years or older. However, no medications are currently approved for the treatment of obesity in children under the age of 12.
A recent phase 3 clinical trial involving 82 participants has provided initial results suggesting that liraglutide, when combined with lifestyle interventions, is safe and effective as a weight loss drug for children as young as six years old. Over the course of a year, participants between the ages of 6 and 12 who were given liraglutide reduced their body mass index by 5.8 percent, while those given a placebo showed an increase in BMI by about 1.6 percent.
Lead researcher and pediatrician Claudia Fox from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities noted improvements in diastolic blood pressure and blood sugar control among children receiving liraglutide compared to those receiving a placebo. While the prevalence of negative side effects was similar between the two groups, transient gastrointestinal issues were more common in the liraglutide group.
The study has provided much-needed evidence for the effects of liraglutide on young children with obesity. However, concerns have been raised regarding the need for ongoing pharmacotherapy to prevent BMI rebound after treatment cessation. Studies have shown that once liraglutide injections are stopped, patients typically regain a significant portion of the lost weight within a year.
Given the potential risks associated with significant fluctuations in weight during childhood, caution is advised when considering the use of liraglutide and similar medications in children and adolescents. The long-term side effects of these drugs are still being understood in adults, emphasizing the need for careful consideration when prescribing them to younger populations.
The study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, highlighting the importance of further research and monitoring when utilizing liraglutide for weight management in children.
