Higher dose of Wegovy ups both weight loss and side effects

Recent clinical trials reveal that increasing the dosage of Wegovy can lead to more significant weight loss, albeit with a higher chance of side effects. Wegovy, which contains the active ingredient semaglutide, has previously demonstrated efficacy in helping individuals lose approximately 15% of their body weight within a year, provided it’s combined with an appropriate diet and exercise. The drug mimics glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a hormone that induces appetite suppression and slow digestion.

Produced by Novo Nordisk, Wegovy is prescribed for those struggling with obesity and individuals who carry excess weight accompanied by health issues like type 2 diabetes. “Some patients either do not respond optimally or want to achieve greater than the typical 10 to 15 percent body weight loss,” states Lora Heisler, a researcher who was not involved in the study.

To investigate whether increasing the dosage could enhance results, Sean Wharton from the University of Toronto alongside colleagues from Novo Nordisk enlisted over 1,000 adults battling obesity across 11 countries, including the United States, Canada, and various European nations.

Participants were randomly assigned to receive either a standard weekly injection of semaglutide at 2.4 mg, an elevated dosage of 7.2 mg, or a placebo. The semaglutide dosage was progressively increased over several weeks before reaching the assigned level, while all participants were encouraged to maintain a calorie deficit of 500 calories daily and engage in 150 minutes of weekly exercise.

After a year of treatment, the standard dosage group reported an average weight loss of 16%, while those on the higher dosage achieved approximately 19%. The placebo group, in contrast, lost an average of only 4% of their weight. Notably, around one-third of patients receiving the standard dose saw weight reductions exceeding 20%, compared to nearly half of the participants in the higher dose group. Only 3% of the placebo group matched this outcome, indicating the superior efficacy of the higher dosage.

Initially, more than a third of all participants exhibited prediabetes; however, by the conclusion of the trial, the high-dose group saw an 83% reduction in prediabetes cases, versus a 74% decrease in the standard dosage group. “This is encouraging, as the primary goal of the weight loss is to enhance health,” remarks Heisler.

Nevertheless, the study highlights potential adverse effects. Among those receiving the standard dose, 61% encountered gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea—this figure rose to 71% for participants on the higher dosage, whereas only 40% of those in the placebo group reported similar issues. These symptoms can sometimes stem from factors unrelated to medication, indicates Heisler.

Moreover, over 20% of the high-dose group experienced dysesthesia, a distressing skin sensation that led four participants to discontinue the treatment, while only 6% of those receiving the standard dose and one participant on the placebo reported this side effect without ceasing treatment.

Overall, the findings suggest that the advantages of a higher Wegovy dose could outweigh potential risks for certain individuals, according to Heisler. “For those requiring more significant weight loss without severe side effects, increasing the dosage may be beneficial,” she shares. However, she emphasizes that this might not be appropriate for individuals achieving satisfactory weight loss with the standard dose or experiencing heightened side effects. Further studies need to corroborate these results prior to clinical implementation.

Additionally, Wharton and his colleagues discovered preliminary evidence indicating that a higher dose could also facilitate greater weight loss and improvements in blood sugar levels for individuals with concurrent obesity and type 2 diabetes. However, results remained statistically insignificant, necessitating additional research as stated by Simon Cork from Anglia Ruskin University, UK.