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New research published in The Lancet suggests that higher doses of oral Semaglutide, a medication used to treat diabetes, may hold promise in lowering blood sugar levels and aiding weight loss. The study, conducted by an international team of researchers, compared different doses of oral Semaglutide and found that the higher doses of 25 mg and 50 mg showed better results in reducing blood sugar levels and promoting weight loss compared to the lowest dose of 14 mg.
Dr. Ashu Rastogi, Associate Professor at the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, PGIMER Chandigarh, highlights the growing issue of obesity in India, which has been linked to the rise of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. Dr. Rastogi explains that lifestyle modifications like improved eating habits and exercise can help in weight reduction and improved metabolic outcomes. However, sustaining these changes in the long term can be challenging, leading to weight regain. Therefore, there is a need for pharmacotherapy to aid weight loss and improve outcomes.
Semaglutide is an oral glucagon receptor-1 analogue that reduces hunger and cravings, resulting in weight loss. In India, it is currently approved in doses of 14 mg for individuals with diabetes. The recent Lancet study explored the use of higher doses (25 mg and 50 mg) of oral Semaglutide in obese individuals without diabetes. The study showed an overall weight loss of 15% over a 68-week period, with more than two-thirds of participants achieving at least a 10% weight loss. The study also included Asian subjects who responded similarly to Semaglutide as other races. Weight loss was associated with an improvement in patients’ quality of life, although some gastrointestinal side effects like nausea and constipation were reported.
Dr. Rastogi believes that this class of drugs could be a valuable addition to the treatment options for the obese population in India. However, the high cost of the drug currently limits its accessibility.
Dr. Sandeep S Chhatwal, an Internal Medicine Specialist at Omni Clinics, Chandigarh, explains that Semaglutide was initially approved for use in diabetes and is now being explored for weight loss in obese patients. The study published in The Lancet may pave the way for higher dosages of Semaglutide in obese patients, provided they tolerate the medication. However, the cost remains a significant barrier, limiting access primarily to higher-income groups.
Dr. KP Singh, Director of Endocrinology at Fortis Hospital Mohali and Principal Investigator of the Semaglutide Trial, suggests that the superior glycemic control and weight loss observed with the higher doses of oral Semaglutide indicate the potential for individually tailored treatment goals. These goals would focus not only on glucose-lowering but also on body weight and cardiovascular risk reduction targets. Dr. Singh adds that Semaglutide is also being investigated for other conditions with high unmet needs, such as Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH). Fortis Hospital, he says, is one of the leading centers participating in trials for this indication.
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