A recent clinical trial indicates that an oral form of semaglutide, a medication currently administered via injection, may be a viable option for weight loss. The trial involved an international team of researchers who tested the effects of a daily 25 mg dose of oral semaglutide over a period of 71 weeks. The findings suggest that this pill form could provide an alternative for individuals who are deterred by the need for injections.
Currently marketed under brand names such as Wegovy and Ozempic, semaglutide is primarily used to assist in weight loss and manage type 2 diabetes through a weekly injection of up to 2.4 milligrams. According to the trial researchers, the potential for oral administration stems from various factors, including patients’ aversion to needles and skin reactions associated with injections. The researchers noted, “In addition, unlike injectable agents, oral agents may not require a refrigerated chain of delivery and could widen the reach of obesity care in many regions of the world where a lack of refrigeration represents a barrier to access.”
The trial included 205 participants receiving semaglutide and 102 participants given a placebo. All participants were classified as overweight at the beginning of the study. The results showed that those taking oral semaglutide achieved an average weight loss of 13.6 percent, which was significantly greater than the placebo group. Notably, nearly a third of the participants in the oral semaglutide group lost 20 percent or more of their body weight.
Researchers also recorded improvements in physical function and various metabolic health markers, including blood sugar levels and cholesterol, in the group receiving semaglutide. The study’s authors stated, “Oral semaglutide at a dose of 25 mg once daily led to a clinically relevant mean reduction in body weight of 13.6 percent (11.4 percentage points more than that with placebo), with weight loss similar across baseline BMI subgroups.”
Despite the promising results, participants experienced side effects, primarily gastrointestinal issues such as nausea. These were reported by 74 percent of those taking semaglutide, compared to 42.2 percent in the placebo group. The side effects were generally described as “non-serious, mild to moderate in severity, and transient.”
The findings from this trial corroborate earlier research suggesting that oral semaglutide can effectively aid in weight loss, although in a previous study, a higher weekly dose of 50 mg was used. The current trial indicates that 25 mg may be the optimal dosage for achieving significant results.
It is important to highlight that while semaglutide can facilitate weight loss, any benefits may diminish once treatment is discontinued unless combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercise. Additionally, there are potential for more severe side effects, and the long-term effects of oral semaglutide remain to be fully understood.
The trial was conducted by Novo Nordisk, the company behind both Ozempic and Wegovy, which is currently seeking regulatory approval for the oral formulation. If granted, it is anticipated that the oral version of semaglutide could soon be available to consumers, expanding treatment options for obesity management.
The study has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine, and the researchers concluded, “Our data supports oral semaglutide at a dose of 25 mg as an efficacious treatment option for obesity.”
