Teenagers with weight problems lose 15% of physique weight in trial of repurposed diabetes drug

A repurposed Sort 2 diabetes drug helped teenagers with weight problems lose a big quantity of physique weight,  lowered their threat elements for heart problems, and improved their weight-related high quality of life over a 68-week medical trial, researchers reported this week within the New England Journal of Drugs.

The drug is semaglutide (model identify Wegovy), which was first authorised to deal with Sort 2 diabetes in 2017, however has since additionally confirmed helpful for weight reduction in adults who’re overweight or chubby. The drug works by mimicking a hormone known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) that targets areas of the mind that regulate urge for food and meals consumption, the Meals and Drug Administration defined whereas approving its use for weight reduction in adults.

The brand new knowledge means that it might additionally considerably assist teenagers fighting weight problems and chubby points enhance their well being and outlook as they head into maturity. One in 5 youngsters and teenagers within the US has weight problems, which might set youngsters up for severe well being situations, together with hypertension, excessive ldl cholesterol, Sort 2 diabetes, respiration issues, and joint issues, based on the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.

In fact, semaglutide isn’t a magical remedy for weight problems, which is a fancy, multifactorial, continual illness. The researchers notice that in a seven-week follow-up after the 68-week-long remedy, some teenagers regained a small quantity of weight, suggesting that they might want to remain on the drug to keep up their weight reduction. It is also unclear how lengthy an individual can take the drug whereas nonetheless seeing weight reduction. Nonetheless, the drug could possibly be a helpful new instrument within the combat towards an intractable, progressive situation.

Outcomes

Within the Part 3, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial reported this week, researchers had teenagers between the ages of 12 and 17 take a weekly, 2.4-mg injection of semaglutide for 68 weeks.

Of the 201 teenagers enrolled within the trial, 133 teenagers with weight problems and one who was chubby have been handled with semaglutide, whereas 67 got a placebo. Each teams, together with their mother and father and guardians, additionally acquired counseling on wholesome vitamin and train.

The drug appeared typically secure, with some gastrointestinal uncomfortable side effects—nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea—primarily seen within the early phases of the remedy, which tended to minimize because the weeks went on.

After 68 weeks, these handled with semaglutide misplaced a median of about 15 p.c of their preliminary weight—about 34 kilos. Within the placebo group, teenagers gained about 3 p.c of their preliminary weight—about 5 kilos. The typical change in BMI (physique mass index) was -16 p.c within the remedy group, and +0.6 p.c within the placebo group.

Within the remedy group, 73 p.c misplaced at the least 5 p.c of their weight, 62 p.c misplaced at the least 10 p.c, and 37 p.c misplaced at the least 20 p.c. Handled teenagers additionally noticed reductions in clinically essential cardiovascular threat elements, together with decrease waist circumference, complete ldl cholesterol, and triglycerides, which weren’t seen within the placebo group. Final, the handled teenagers reported enhancements of their high quality of life scores on bodily consolation.