Semaglutide found to be effective against type 2 diabetes

(HealthDay)—Semaglutide is safe and effective for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, according to a review published online May 13 in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.

Panagiotis Andreadis, M.D., from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece, and colleagues conducted a systematic literature review to identify randomized controlled trials comparing semaglutide with placebo or other antidiabetic agents. The primary outcome was measured change in HbA1c from baseline.

Six placebo-controlled and seven active-controlled studies were identified. The researchers found that subcutaneous semaglutide (0.5 and 1 mg) reduced HbA1c by 1.01 percent (95 percent confidence interval [CI], 0.56 to 1.47) and 1.38 percent (95 percent CI, 1.05 to 1.70), respectively, compared to placebo. Compared to other antidiabetic agents (sitagliptin, exenatide, liraglutide, dulaglutide, and insulin glargine), both doses of semaglutide demonstrated superior glycemic efficacy. There was a beneficial effect on body weight (mean difference versus placebo −4.11 kg; 95 percent CI, −4.85 to −3.37 for semaglutide 1 mg) and systolic blood pressure with semaglutide. There was increased incidence of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea with semaglutide. Compared to placebo, the odds ratio for diabetic retinopathy was 1.32 (95 percent CI, 0.98 to 1.77).

"Semaglutide is a potent once-weekly glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist, reducing significantly HbA1c, body weight, and systolic blood pressure. However, it is associated with increased incidence of gastrointestinal adverse events," the authors write.

Several authors disclosed financial ties to pharmaceutical companies, including Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of semaglutide.

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