Efficacy and safety of once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide on weight loss in patients with overweight or obesity without diabetes mellitus-A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Kommu S, Berg RL

Obesity reviews : an official journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity23 Jun 2024Cited by 25 (Europe PMC)

PMID38923272DOI10.1111/obr.13792PepBankPUB-38923272

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Summary

Semaglutide is found to be efficient for weight loss in patients with overweight or obesity with diabetes mellitus (DM). With a wide range of adverse events reported, the efficacy and safety of once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide in individuals without DM, with overweight or obesity, is unclear. We conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of randomized studies on once-weekly semaglutide in this patient population. We identified nine studies with 11,641 patients in the semaglutide group and 10,479 in the placebo group. We observed that semaglutide resulted in significant benefits, including change in body weight (%): mean difference (MD) of -11.49% (p < 0.0001), change in absolute body weight: MD of -11.74 kg (p < 0.0001), and change in waist circumference: MD of -9.06 cm (p < 0.0001). Gastrointestinal side effects are predominant including nausea: odds ratio (OR) of 4.06 (p < 0.0001), vomiting: OR of 4.43 (p < 0.0001), diarrhea: OR of 2.10 (p < 0.0001), constipation: OR of 2.43 (p < 0.0001), gallbladder disorders: OR of 1.26 (p = 0.010), and cholelithiasis: OR of 2.06 (p = 0.04). Serious adverse events were not statistically significant: OR of 1.06 (p = 0.82). However, the percentage of participants discontinuing due to adverse events and gastrointestinal side effects was statistically significant: ORs of 2.22 (p < 0.0001) and 3.77 (p < 0.0001), respectively. This study shows that in patients with overweight or obesity without DM, once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide can significantly decrease body weight without risk of serious adverse events when compared with a placebo. However, gastrointestinal side effects are predominant with semaglutide, which can result in medication discontinuation.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study12

12 results from studies that gave the peptide. 12 results from people.

01HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
In patients with overweight or obesity without diabetes, once-weekly semaglutide reduced body weight percentage more than placebo.
In plain wordsIn people with overweight or obesity and no diabetes, weekly semaglutide led to more weight loss than placebo.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
DecreaseChange in body weight (%)
Study
n = 22,120
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
Dose not stated · subcutaneousAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Mean difference, body weight
−11.49%
semaglutide vs placebo
Source sentences
Summary
We observed that semaglutide resulted in significant benefits, including change in body weight (%): mean difference (MD) of -11.49% (p < 0.0001), change in absolute body weight: MD of -11.74 kg (p < 0.0001), and change in waist circumference: MD of -9.06 cm (p < 0.0001).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of randomized studies on once-weekly semaglutide in this patient population.
Summary · context
We identified nine studies with 11,641 patients in the semaglutide group and 10,479 in the placebo group.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3892327201
02HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
In patients with overweight or obesity without diabetes, once-weekly semaglutide reduced absolute body weight more than placebo.
In plain wordsIn people with overweight or obesity and no diabetes, weekly semaglutide led to more kilograms of weight loss than placebo.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
DecreaseChange in absolute body weight
Study
n = 22,120
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
Dose not stated · subcutaneousAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Mean difference, absolute body weight
−11.74 kg
semaglutide vs placebo
Source sentences
Summary
We observed that semaglutide resulted in significant benefits, including change in body weight (%): mean difference (MD) of -11.49% (p < 0.0001), change in absolute body weight: MD of -11.74 kg (p < 0.0001), and change in waist circumference: MD of -9.06 cm (p < 0.0001).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of randomized studies on once-weekly semaglutide in this patient population.
Summary · context
We identified nine studies with 11,641 patients in the semaglutide group and 10,479 in the placebo group.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3892327202
03HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
In patients with overweight or obesity without diabetes, once-weekly semaglutide reduced waist circumference more than placebo.
In plain wordsIn people with overweight or obesity and no diabetes, weekly semaglutide shrank waist size more than placebo.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
DecreaseChange in waist circumference
Study
n = 22,120
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
Dose not stated · subcutaneousAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Mean difference, waist circumference
−9.06 cm
semaglutide vs placebo
Source sentences
Summary
We observed that semaglutide resulted in significant benefits, including change in body weight (%): mean difference (MD) of -11.49% (p < 0.0001), change in absolute body weight: MD of -11.74 kg (p < 0.0001), and change in waist circumference: MD of -9.06 cm (p < 0.0001).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of randomized studies on once-weekly semaglutide in this patient population.
Summary · context
We identified nine studies with 11,641 patients in the semaglutide group and 10,479 in the placebo group.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3892327203
04HumanSystematic reviewSafety outcome
In patients with overweight or obesity without diabetes, nausea was more likely with once-weekly semaglutide than with placebo.
In plain wordsIn people with overweight or obesity and no diabetes, nausea was more likely on semaglutide than on placebo.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
IncreaseNausea
Study
n = 22,120
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Gastrointestinal adverse events · Gastrointestinal
Studied dose
Dose not stated · subcutaneousAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Odds ratio
4.06 ratio
nausea
Source sentences
Summary
nausea: odds ratio (OR) of 4.06 (p < 0.0001), vomiting: OR of 4.43 (p < 0.0001), diarrhea: OR of 2.10 (p < 0.0001), constipation: OR of 2.43 (p < 0.0001), gallbladder disorders: OR of 1.26 (p = 0.010), and cholelithiasis: OR of 2.06 (p = 0.04).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of randomized studies on once-weekly semaglutide in this patient population.
Summary · context
We identified nine studies with 11,641 patients in the semaglutide group and 10,479 in the placebo group.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3892327204
05HumanSystematic reviewSafety outcome
In patients with overweight or obesity without diabetes, vomiting was more likely with once-weekly semaglutide than with placebo.
In plain wordsIn people with overweight or obesity and no diabetes, vomiting was more likely on semaglutide than on placebo.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
IncreaseVomiting
Study
n = 22,120
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Gastrointestinal adverse events · Gastrointestinal
Studied dose
Dose not stated · subcutaneousAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Odds ratio
4.43 ratio
vomiting
Source sentences
Summary
vomiting: OR of 4.43 (p < 0.0001), diarrhea: OR of 2.10 (p < 0.0001), constipation: OR of 2.43 (p < 0.0001), gallbladder disorders: OR of 1.26 (p = 0.010), and cholelithiasis: OR of 2.06 (p = 0.04).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of randomized studies on once-weekly semaglutide in this patient population.
Summary · context
We identified nine studies with 11,641 patients in the semaglutide group and 10,479 in the placebo group.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3892327205
06HumanSystematic reviewSafety outcome
In patients with overweight or obesity without diabetes, diarrhea was more likely with once-weekly semaglutide than with placebo.
In plain wordsIn people with overweight or obesity and no diabetes, diarrhea was more likely on semaglutide than on placebo.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
IncreaseDiarrhea
Study
n = 22,120
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Gastrointestinal adverse events · Gastrointestinal
Studied dose
Dose not stated · subcutaneousAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Odds ratio
2.1 ratio
diarrhea
Source sentences
Summary
diarrhea: OR of 2.10 (p < 0.0001), constipation: OR of 2.43 (p < 0.0001), gallbladder disorders: OR of 1.26 (p = 0.010), and cholelithiasis: OR of 2.06 (p = 0.04).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of randomized studies on once-weekly semaglutide in this patient population.
Summary · context
We identified nine studies with 11,641 patients in the semaglutide group and 10,479 in the placebo group.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3892327206
07HumanSystematic reviewSafety outcome
In patients with overweight or obesity without diabetes, constipation was more likely with once-weekly semaglutide than with placebo.
In plain wordsIn people with overweight or obesity and no diabetes, constipation was more likely on semaglutide than on placebo.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
IncreaseConstipation
Study
n = 22,120
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Gastrointestinal adverse events · Gastrointestinal
Studied dose
Dose not stated · subcutaneousAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Odds ratio
2.43 ratio
constipation
Source sentences
Summary
constipation: OR of 2.43 (p < 0.0001), gallbladder disorders: OR of 1.26 (p = 0.010), and cholelithiasis: OR of 2.06 (p = 0.04).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of randomized studies on once-weekly semaglutide in this patient population.
Summary · context
We identified nine studies with 11,641 patients in the semaglutide group and 10,479 in the placebo group.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3892327207
08HumanSystematic reviewSafety outcome
In patients with overweight or obesity without diabetes, gallbladder disorders were more likely with once-weekly semaglutide than with placebo.
In plain wordsIn people with overweight or obesity and no diabetes, gallbladder problems were more likely on semaglutide than on placebo.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
IncreaseGallbladder disorders
Study
n = 22,120
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Gastrointestinal adverse events · Gastrointestinal
Studied dose
Dose not stated · subcutaneousAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Odds ratio
1.26 ratio
gallbladder disorders
Source sentences
Summary
gallbladder disorders: OR of 1.26 (p = 0.010), and cholelithiasis: OR of 2.06 (p = 0.04).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of randomized studies on once-weekly semaglutide in this patient population.
Summary · context
We identified nine studies with 11,641 patients in the semaglutide group and 10,479 in the placebo group.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3892327208
09HumanSystematic reviewSafety outcome
In patients with overweight or obesity without diabetes, cholelithiasis was more likely with once-weekly semaglutide than with placebo.
In plain wordsIn people with overweight or obesity and no diabetes, gallstones were more likely on semaglutide than on placebo.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
IncreaseCholelithiasis
Study
n = 22,120
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Gastrointestinal adverse events · Gastrointestinal
Studied dose
Dose not stated · subcutaneousAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Odds ratio
2.06 ratio
cholelithiasis
Source sentences
Summary
cholelithiasis: OR of 2.06 (p = 0.04).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of randomized studies on once-weekly semaglutide in this patient population.
Summary · context
We identified nine studies with 11,641 patients in the semaglutide group and 10,479 in the placebo group.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3892327209
10HumanSystematic reviewSafety outcome
In patients with overweight or obesity without diabetes, serious adverse events were not significantly different between once-weekly semaglutide and placebo.
In plain wordsIn people with overweight or obesity and no diabetes, serious side effects were not clearly more common on semaglutide than on placebo.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
No significant changeSerious adverse events
Study
n = 22,120
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Adverse events · Whole body
Studied dose
Dose not stated · subcutaneousAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Odds ratio
1.06 ratio
serious adverse events
Source sentences
Summary
Serious adverse events were not statistically significant: OR of 1.06 (p = 0.82).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of randomized studies on once-weekly semaglutide in this patient population.
Summary · context
We identified nine studies with 11,641 patients in the semaglutide group and 10,479 in the placebo group.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3892327210
11HumanSystematic reviewSafety outcome
In patients with overweight or obesity without diabetes, discontinuation due to adverse events was more frequent with once-weekly semaglutide than with placebo.
In plain wordsIn people with overweight or obesity and no diabetes, more people stopped semaglutide than placebo because of side effects.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
IncreaseDiscontinuation due to adverse events
Study
n = 22,120
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Adverse events · Whole body
Studied dose
Dose not stated · subcutaneousAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Odds ratio
2.22 ratio
discontinuation due to adverse events
Source sentences
Summary
the percentage of participants discontinuing due to adverse events and gastrointestinal side effects was statistically significant: ORs of 2.22 (p < 0.0001) and 3.77 (p < 0.0001), respectively.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of randomized studies on once-weekly semaglutide in this patient population.
Summary · context
We identified nine studies with 11,641 patients in the semaglutide group and 10,479 in the placebo group.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3892327211
12HumanSystematic reviewSafety outcome
In patients with overweight or obesity without diabetes, discontinuation due to gastrointestinal side effects was more frequent with once-weekly semaglutide than with placebo.
In plain wordsIn people with overweight or obesity and no diabetes, more people stopped semaglutide than placebo because of stomach and gut side effects.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
IncreaseDiscontinuation due to gastrointestinal side effects
Study
n = 22,120
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Gastrointestinal adverse events · Gastrointestinal
Studied dose
Dose not stated · subcutaneousAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Odds ratio
3.77 ratio
discontinuation due to gastrointestinal side effects
Source sentences
Summary
However, the percentage of participants discontinuing due to adverse events and gastrointestinal side effects was statistically significant: ORs of 2.22 (p < 0.0001) and 3.77 (p < 0.0001), respectively.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of randomized studies on once-weekly semaglutide in this patient population.
Summary · context
We identified nine studies with 11,641 patients in the semaglutide group and 10,479 in the placebo group.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3892327212

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

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PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
9 Oct 2026, 18:17 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 03:06 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

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