Higher Semaglutide Doses Show Superior Waist Reduction and Weight Loss in Obese Adults with Type 2 Diabetes

A recent clinical trial conducted by Novo Nordisk and involving 68 international medical centers has demonstrated that higher weekly doses of semaglutide, specifically 7.2 mg, lead to significantly greater reductions in waist circumference and body weight among adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes. The study, titled "Once-weekly semaglutide 7.2 mg in adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes (STEP UP T2D)," was published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology and involved 512 participants with an average age of 56 years, body weight of approximately 110 kg, and BMI around 38.6 kg/m².

Participants were randomly assigned to three groups: a high dose of 7.2 mg, a 2.4 mg dose, or a placebo, all receiving treatments over 72 weeks. The trial also included counseling for caloric intake and physical activity. Results showed that the 7.2 mg dose reduced average body weight by 13.2%, outperforming the 10.4% reduction seen with the 2.4 mg dose and the 3.9% with placebo. Waist circumference decreased by an average of 12.3 cm with the high dose, compared to 5.8 cm with placebo and 10.7 cm with the lower dose.

While the reduction in HbA1c was observed in both active treatment groups, it was not significantly different between the 7.2 mg and 2.4 mg doses, but both were better than placebo. The study reported gastrointestinal side effects, such as nausea and dysesthesia, more frequently in the high-dose group, with about 53.1% experiencing gastrointestinal events and 9.1% experiencing serious adverse events. Notably, one death possibly related to the drug was reported in the high-dose group.

The authors concluded that increasing the semaglutide dose to 7.2 mg provides additional benefits in weight and waist measurements in adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes, although safety signals like dysesthesia and dose reductions warrant further investigation. Experts caution that the potential advantages must be considered alongside the increased risk of side effects, emphasizing the need for independent research to validate these findings and explore long-term safety.

This study underscores the ongoing interest in optimizing pharmacological strategies for obesity and diabetes management, while also highlighting the importance of rigorous, unbiased research to confirm the safety and efficacy of higher drug dosages.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-novo-nordisk-greater-waist-reduction.html