Higher Doses of Semaglutide Demonstrate Safe and Effective Weight Loss in Adults with Obesity

Recent clinical trials have revealed that increasing the weekly dosage of semaglutide to 7.2 mg significantly enhances weight loss outcomes for adults living with obesity, including those with type 2 diabetes. These findings stem from two large-scale, international phase 3 studies, published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, which evaluated the safety and efficacy of higher dose semaglutide.

In the studies, participants were randomly assigned to receive either the higher 7.2 mg dose, the currently approved 2.4 mg dose, or a placebo over a period of 72 weeks. All participants also received lifestyle guidance, such as dietary counseling and physical activity advice. Results showed that adults without diabetes taking the 7.2 mg dose lost an average of nearly 19% of their body weight, surpassing the 16% weight loss seen with the 2.4 mg dose and the 4% with placebo. Notably, approximately half of these participants lost 20% or more of their body weight, with about one-third achieving at least 25% reduction.

Participants experienced improvements in waist circumference, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and cholesterol, reducing overall health risks related to obesity. For adults with obesity and T2D, the higher dose led to an average weight loss of 13%, compared to 10% with 2.4 mg and 3.9% with placebo. Additionally, there were significant gains in blood sugar control and waist size reduction.

Importantly, the studies confirmed that the higher dose was well tolerated and safe, with common side effects being gastrointestinal issues like nausea and diarrhea, which were manageable and temporary. No increase in severe adverse events or hypoglycemia was observed.

These promising results suggest that higher doses of semaglutide could become a valuable option for individuals struggling to lose weight with current treatments, helping to mitigate obesity-related health problems on a larger scale. However, further research is needed to assess long-term benefits and safety. Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-higher-doses-semaglutide-safely-weight.html