A recent study published in The Lancet suggests that administering high doses of fat jabs could lead to significant weight loss in patients. The study compared the effects of a 2.4mg dose of the drug semaglutide, known as Wegovy, with a higher dose of 7.2mg.
Results showed that the 7.2mg dose resulted in an average weight loss of nearly 19%, outperforming the 16% weight loss achieved with the 2.4mg dose of Wegovy. Nearly half of the participants receiving the higher dose experienced a weight loss of 20% or more, with one-third losing at least 25% of their body weight.
While some side effects like nausea, diarrhoea, and sensory symptoms were reported, the trial concluded that the high dose was generally safe, with no increase in serious adverse events. Dr. Simon Cork, a Senior Lecturer in Physiology, pointed out that patients with higher body mass could benefit significantly from the higher dose of semaglutide.
Though more patients on the higher dose reported side effects like nausea and vomiting compared to the lower dose, most side effects observed were manageable and did not lead to participants dropping out. There was no increase in serious adverse events or severe hypoglycemia with the higher dose of semaglutide.
Semaglutide, available under various brand names, was used in the trials involving 1,900 participants with a body mass index of at least 30 from different healthcare facilities worldwide. The potential availability of the higher dose of semaglutide for patients remains uncertain, as manufacturers are mindful of the competitive landscape in weight loss treatments. The study findings were published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology journal.