الوسيط مجلة إخبارية يومية
New analyses presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO) revealed that a higher dose of Wegovy® (semaglutide 7.2 mg) delivered substantial weight loss in people living with obesity, with early responders achieving an average weight reduction of nearly 28% over 72 weeks.
The findings come from the STEP UP clinical trial conducted by Novo Nordisk, which evaluated semaglutide 7.2 mg against the currently approved 2.4 mg dose and placebo in more than 1,400 adults with obesity but without type 2 diabetes.
According to the data presented at ECO in Istanbul, participants receiving semaglutide 7.2 mg lost an average of 20.7% of their body weight after 72 weeks, compared with 17.5% for those receiving semaglutide 2.4 mg and 2.4% for the placebo group.
Researchers identified “early responders” as participants who lost at least 15% of their body weight within the first 24 weeks of treatment. Approximately 27% of patients taking the 7.2 mg dose achieved this benchmark, compared with 21% in the 2.4 mg group. By week 72, early responders on the higher dose recorded an average weight loss of 27.7%.
The analyses also demonstrated that participants treated with the higher dose achieved weight-loss milestones faster than those receiving semaglutide 2.4 mg.
In a separate body composition sub-analysis involving MRI scans of 55 participants, researchers found that 84% of the weight lost with semaglutide was attributable to reductions in fat mass, while muscle function was preserved. Visceral abdominal fat decreased by more than 30%, and participants maintained functional muscle strength despite significant overall weight reduction.
Dr. Dror Dicker said the results highlight the importance of long-term obesity treatment and may help healthcare professionals better manage patient expectations when initiating obesity medications.
“The findings show that even patients who do not achieve an early response still experience clinically meaningful weight loss,” Dicker noted.
Commenting on the results, Emil Kongshøj Larsen said the analyses further strengthen the potential of higher-dose Wegovy to deliver substantial fat-focused weight reduction while preserving muscle health.
The STEP UP body composition findings have been submitted for publication in a scientific journal.
