Injectable diabetes drug shown to reduce obesity
Liraglutide, an injectable diabetes drug approved by the US government last year, has been shown to help obese people lose significant weight.
A year-long study published July 1 in the New England Journal of Medicine found that thanks to the drug, marketed as Saxenda by Novo Nordisk, most patients lost 8kg during the 56-week study.
The trial was conducted randomly at 191 sites in 27 countries in Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Africa and Oceania.
Study participants were all 18 years of age or older and had a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. A person is considered to be at a healthy weight if their BMI is between 19 and 25.
Of the 3,731 study participants, about two-thirds were given Saxenda in combination with exercise to improve their lifestyle habits. The remaining group also made lifestyle changes but were given a placebo that had no therapeutic effect. Those taking the drug were given a higher dose than the recommended dose for diabetes treatment (3 mg) and also received a daily subcutaneous injection (1.8 mg).
The results showed that people in the placebo group lost an average of about 3 kg. Meanwhile, people taking the drug lost an average of three times that amount. In total, 63% of people in the liraglutide group lost at least 5% of their body weight, compared to 27% of people in the placebo group.
However, liraglutide also has side effects including stomach pain, gallstones and an increased risk of breast cancer. However, the researchers said more research is needed on the relationship with cancer risk because weight loss makes tumors easier to detect.
Liraglutide has been used at low doses to treat diabetes for many years, and some patients have found that the drug helps them lose weight.
About 35% of American adults, or about 100 million people, are currently living with obesity. The US introduced two anti-obesity drugs in 2012, but they are not widely used due to many side effects.
According to Vietnam+
