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Study · Systematic review · n = 17,908 · 2025

16 results

Semaglutide for adults living with obesity.

Bracchiglione J, Meza N, Franco JV, Escobar Liquitay CM, Novik A V, Ocara Vargas M, Lazcano G, Poloni D, Rinaldi Langlotz F, Roqué-Figuls M, Munoz SR, Madrid E

The Cochrane database of systematic reviews30 Oct 2025Cited by 4 (Europe PMC)

PMID41161683 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.1002/14651858.cd015092.pub2 (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-41161683
Publisher pagePubMedAsk about this study
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Summary

The text of this summary is not shown here, because the article license does not allow reuse. Read it at the source (opens in a new tab)

Text rights: Publisher copyright. Results still quote short attributed sentences.

Results from this study16

16 results from studies that gave the peptide. 16 results from people.

  1. 01HumanSystematic reviewSafety outcome

    In adults with obesity, semaglutide gave a slightly lower relative risk of serious adverse events versus placebo at long-term follow-up; the review judged it as likely little to no difference.

    In plain wordsIn adults with obesity, serious side effects were slightly less common with semaglutide than placebo. The review judged the difference as likely small.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    DecreaseSerious adverse events, long term
    Study

    n = 17,908

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Adverse events · Whole body
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated · 26 monthsAs given in this study (human).

    Measurements

    risk ratio
    0.92 ratio
    serious adverse events

    Source sentences

    Summary
    with likely little to no difference in serious adverse events (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.88 to 0.95; 2 studies, 17,908 participants
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared semaglutide with placebo, structured lifestyle modification programmes, other anti-obesity medications or other GLP-1RAs in adults living with obesity, with a minimum of six months' follow-up.
    Summary · context
    We included 18 RCTs (27,949 participants), with a mean age ranging from 41.0 to 69.5 years, and an average BMI between 31.9 kg/m2 and 40.3 kg/m2.
  2. 02HumanSystematic reviewSafety outcome

    In adults with obesity, semaglutide likely increased adverse events leading to withdrawal versus placebo at long-term follow-up.

    In plain wordsIn adults with obesity, more people stopped semaglutide because of side effects than stopped placebo over 26 months.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    IncreaseAdverse events leading to withdrawal, long term
    Study

    n = 17,908

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Adverse events · Whole body
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated · 26 monthsAs given in this study (human).

    Measurements

    risk ratio
    2.03 ratio
    adverse events leading to withdrawal

    Source sentences

    Summary
    and a likely increase in adverse events leading to withdrawal (RR 2.03, 95% CI 1.86 to 2.20; 2 studies, 17,908 participants; moderate-certainty evidence).
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared semaglutide with placebo, structured lifestyle modification programmes, other anti-obesity medications or other GLP-1RAs in adults living with obesity, with a minimum of six months' follow-up.
    Summary · context
    We included 18 RCTs (27,949 participants), with a mean age ranging from 41.0 to 69.5 years, and an average BMI between 31.9 kg/m2 and 40.3 kg/m2.
  3. 03HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome

    In adults with obesity, semaglutide likely increased the proportion of people achieving 5% weight loss versus placebo at long-term follow-up.

    In plain wordsIn adults with obesity, more people lost 5% of their weight with semaglutide than with placebo over 26 months.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    IncreaseProportion achieving 5% weight loss, long term
    Study

    n = 17,876

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Body weight · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated · 26 monthsAs given in this study (human).

    Measurements

    risk ratio
    2.74 ratio
    5% weight loss, long term

    Source sentences

    Summary
    and likely increases the proportion of people achieving 5% weight loss (RR 2.74, 95% CI 1.95 to 3.84; 2 studies, 17,876 participants; moderate-certainty evidence).
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared semaglutide with placebo, structured lifestyle modification programmes, other anti-obesity medications or other GLP-1RAs in adults living with obesity, with a minimum of six months' follow-up.
    Summary · context
    We included 18 RCTs (27,949 participants), with a mean age ranging from 41.0 to 69.5 years, and an average BMI between 31.9 kg/m2 and 40.3 kg/m2.
  4. 04HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome

    In adults with obesity, semaglutide likely reduced percentage body weight versus placebo at long-term follow-up (moderate-certainty evidence).

    In plain wordsIn adults with obesity, semaglutide likely lowered body weight more than placebo over 26 months.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    DecreasePercentage body weight change, long term
    Study

    n = 15,124

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Body weight · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated · 26 monthsAs given in this study (human).

    Measurements

    mean difference
    −11.11%
    semaglutide vs placebo, long term

    Source sentences

    Summary
    At long-term follow-up, semaglutide likely reduces percentage body weight (MD -11.11, 95% CI -16.47 to -5.75; I² = 94%; 2 studies, 15,124 participants
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared semaglutide with placebo, structured lifestyle modification programmes, other anti-obesity medications or other GLP-1RAs in adults living with obesity, with a minimum of six months' follow-up.
    Summary · context
    We included 18 RCTs (27,949 participants), with a mean age ranging from 41.0 to 69.5 years, and an average BMI between 31.9 kg/m2 and 40.3 kg/m2.
  5. 05HumanSystematic reviewSafety outcome

    In adults with obesity, semaglutide gave a higher risk of adverse events leading to withdrawal versus placebo at medium-term follow-up; the review judged the absolute difference as little to none.

    In plain wordsIn adults with obesity, more people stopped semaglutide because of side effects than stopped placebo. The review judged the absolute difference as small.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    IncreaseAdverse events leading to withdrawal, medium term
    Study

    n = 9,054

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Adverse events · Whole body
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated · 6 to 17 monthsAs given in this study (human).

    Measurements

    risk ratio
    1.84 ratio
    adverse events leading to withdrawal

    Source sentences

    Summary
    likely results in little to no absolute difference in adverse events leading to withdrawal (RR 1.84, 95% CI 1.53 to 2.21; 15 studies, 9054 participants; moderate-certainty evidence)
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared semaglutide with placebo, structured lifestyle modification programmes, other anti-obesity medications or other GLP-1RAs in adults living with obesity, with a minimum of six months' follow-up.
    Summary · context
    We included 18 RCTs (27,949 participants), with a mean age ranging from 41.0 to 69.5 years, and an average BMI between 31.9 kg/m2 and 40.3 kg/m2.
  6. 06HumanSystematic reviewSafety outcome

    In adults with obesity, the effect of semaglutide on serious adverse events versus placebo at medium-term follow-up was very uncertain (very low-certainty evidence).

    In plain wordsIn adults with obesity, it is very uncertain whether semaglutide changes serious side effects compared with placebo.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    No significant changeSerious adverse events, medium term
    Study

    n = 9,054

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Adverse events · Whole body
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated · 6 to 17 monthsAs given in this study (human).

    Measurements

    risk ratio
    1.01 ratio
    serious adverse events

    Source sentences

    Summary
    has very uncertain effects on serious adverse events (RR 1.01, 95% CI 0.78 to 1.29; 15 studies, 9054 participants; very low-certainty evidence).
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared semaglutide with placebo, structured lifestyle modification programmes, other anti-obesity medications or other GLP-1RAs in adults living with obesity, with a minimum of six months' follow-up.
    Summary · context
    We included 18 RCTs (27,949 participants), with a mean age ranging from 41.0 to 69.5 years, and an average BMI between 31.9 kg/m2 and 40.3 kg/m2.
  7. 07HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome

    In adults with obesity, semaglutide gave a lower relative risk of death versus placebo at medium-term follow-up; the review judged the absolute difference as little to none (low-certainty evidence).

    In plain wordsIn adults with obesity, fewer people died with semaglutide than with placebo. The review judged the absolute difference as small and the evidence weak.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    DecreaseMortality, medium term
    Study

    n = 8,953

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Mortality · Whole body
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated · 6 to 17 monthsAs given in this study (human).

    Measurements

    risk ratio
    0.69 ratio
    mortality

    Source sentences

    Summary
    and mortality (RR 0.69, 95% CI 0.48 to 0.98; 14 studies, 8953 participants; low-certainty evidence).
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared semaglutide with placebo, structured lifestyle modification programmes, other anti-obesity medications or other GLP-1RAs in adults living with obesity, with a minimum of six months' follow-up.
    Summary · context
    We included 18 RCTs (27,949 participants), with a mean age ranging from 41.0 to 69.5 years, and an average BMI between 31.9 kg/m2 and 40.3 kg/m2.
  8. 08HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome

    In adults with obesity, semaglutide reduced percentage body weight versus placebo at medium-term follow-up (high-certainty evidence).

    In plain wordsIn adults with obesity, semaglutide lowered body weight more than placebo over 6 to 17 months.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    DecreasePercentage body weight change, medium term
    Study

    n = 8,651

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Body weight · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated · 6 to 17 monthsAs given in this study (human).

    Measurements

    mean difference
    −10.73%
    semaglutide vs placebo, medium term

    Source sentences

    Summary
    At medium-term follow-up, semaglutide reduces percentage body weight (mean difference (MD) -10.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) -12.24 to -9.21; 15 studies, 8651 participants
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared semaglutide with placebo, structured lifestyle modification programmes, other anti-obesity medications or other GLP-1RAs in adults living with obesity, with a minimum of six months' follow-up.
    Summary · context
    We included 18 RCTs (27,949 participants), with a mean age ranging from 41.0 to 69.5 years, and an average BMI between 31.9 kg/m2 and 40.3 kg/m2.
  9. 09HumanSystematic reviewSafety outcome

    In adults with obesity, semaglutide may increase non-serious adverse events versus placebo at medium-term follow-up (low-certainty evidence).

    In plain wordsIn adults with obesity, semaglutide may cause more non-serious side effects than placebo over 6 to 17 months. The evidence is weak.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    IncreaseNon-serious adverse events, medium term
    Study

    n = 8,443

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Adverse events · Whole body
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated · 6 to 17 monthsAs given in this study (human).

    Measurements

    risk ratio
    1.11 ratio
    non-serious adverse events

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Semaglutide may increase non-serious adverse events (RR 1.11, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.22; 13 studies, 8443 participants
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared semaglutide with placebo, structured lifestyle modification programmes, other anti-obesity medications or other GLP-1RAs in adults living with obesity, with a minimum of six months' follow-up.
    Summary · context
    We included 18 RCTs (27,949 participants), with a mean age ranging from 41.0 to 69.5 years, and an average BMI between 31.9 kg/m2 and 40.3 kg/m2.
  10. 10HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome

    In adults with obesity, semaglutide gave a lower relative risk of MACE versus placebo at medium-term follow-up; the review judged the absolute difference as little to none (low-certainty evidence).

    In plain wordsIn adults with obesity, semaglutide was linked to fewer major heart events than placebo. The review judged the absolute gap small and the evidence weak.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    DecreaseMajor adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), medium term
    Study

    n = 7,647

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Cardiovascular events · Cardiovascular
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated · 6 to 17 monthsAs given in this study (human).

    Measurements

    risk ratio
    0.63 ratio
    MACE

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Semaglutide may result in little to no absolute difference in MACE (RR 0.63, 95% CI 0.44 to 0.90; 9 studies, 7647 participants
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared semaglutide with placebo, structured lifestyle modification programmes, other anti-obesity medications or other GLP-1RAs in adults living with obesity, with a minimum of six months' follow-up.
    Summary · context
    We included 18 RCTs (27,949 participants), with a mean age ranging from 41.0 to 69.5 years, and an average BMI between 31.9 kg/m2 and 40.3 kg/m2.
  11. 11HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome

    In adults with obesity, semaglutide increased the proportion of people achieving 5% weight loss versus placebo at medium-term follow-up.

    In plain wordsIn adults with obesity, more people lost 5% of their weight with semaglutide than with placebo over 6 to 17 months.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    IncreaseProportion achieving 5% weight loss, medium term
    Study

    n = 7,458

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Body weight · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated · 6 to 17 monthsAs given in this study (human).

    Measurements

    risk ratio
    2.68 ratio
    5% weight loss, medium term

    Source sentences

    Summary
    increases the proportion of people achieving 5% weight loss (risk ratio (RR) 2.68, 95% CI 2.30 to 3.12; 12 studies, 7458 participants
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared semaglutide with placebo, structured lifestyle modification programmes, other anti-obesity medications or other GLP-1RAs in adults living with obesity, with a minimum of six months' follow-up.
    Summary · context
    We included 18 RCTs (27,949 participants), with a mean age ranging from 41.0 to 69.5 years, and an average BMI between 31.9 kg/m2 and 40.3 kg/m2.
  12. 12HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome

    In adults with obesity, semaglutide likely gave little to no difference in SF-36 physical functioning versus placebo at medium-term follow-up (moderate-certainty evidence).

    In plain wordsIn adults with obesity, semaglutide likely made little to no difference to physical functioning quality of life compared with placebo.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    No significant changeQuality of life (SF-36 physical functioning), medium term
    Study

    n = 6,083

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Quality of life · Whole body
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated · 6 to 17 monthsAs given in this study (human).

    Measurements

    mean difference
    2.12 SF-36 points
    physical functioning

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Semaglutide likely results in little to no difference in quality of life (SF-36 physical functioning score: MD 2.12, 95% CI 0.95 to 3.28; 9 studies, 6083 participants; moderate-certainty evidence).
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared semaglutide with placebo, structured lifestyle modification programmes, other anti-obesity medications or other GLP-1RAs in adults living with obesity, with a minimum of six months' follow-up.
    Summary · context
    We included 18 RCTs (27,949 participants), with a mean age ranging from 41.0 to 69.5 years, and an average BMI between 31.9 kg/m2 and 40.3 kg/m2.
  13. 13HumanSystematic reviewSafety outcome

    In adults with obesity, the effect of semaglutide on non-serious adverse events at long-term follow-up was very uncertain (one study, very low-certainty evidence).

    In plain wordsIn adults with obesity, it is very uncertain how semaglutide affects non-serious side effects over 26 months. Only one small study reported this.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    IncreaseNon-serious adverse events, long term
    Study

    n = 305

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Adverse events · Whole body
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated · 26 monthsAs given in this study (human).

    Measurements

    risk ratio
    1.21 ratio
    non-serious adverse events

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Its effects on non-serious adverse events are very uncertain (RR 1.21, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.34; 1 study, 305 participants
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared semaglutide with placebo, structured lifestyle modification programmes, other anti-obesity medications or other GLP-1RAs in adults living with obesity, with a minimum of six months' follow-up.
    Summary · context
    We included 18 RCTs (27,949 participants), with a mean age ranging from 41.0 to 69.5 years, and an average BMI between 31.9 kg/m2 and 40.3 kg/m2.
  14. 14HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome

    In adults with obesity, semaglutide likely gave little to no clinically significant difference in EQ-5D-5L quality of life versus placebo at long-term follow-up.

    In plain wordsIn adults with obesity, semaglutide likely made little to no clinical difference to quality of life compared with placebo over 26 months.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    No significant changeQuality of life (EQ-5D-5L), long term
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Quality of life · Whole body
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated · 26 monthsAs given in this study (human).

    Measurements

    mean difference
    0.02 EQ-5D-5L points
    quality of life

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Semaglutide likely results in little to no clinically significant differences in quality of life (EQ-5D-5L: MD 0.02, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.02; moderate-certainty evidence)
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared semaglutide with placebo, structured lifestyle modification programmes, other anti-obesity medications or other GLP-1RAs in adults living with obesity, with a minimum of six months' follow-up.
    Summary · context
    We included 18 RCTs (27,949 participants), with a mean age ranging from 41.0 to 69.5 years, and an average BMI between 31.9 kg/m2 and 40.3 kg/m2.
  15. 15HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome

    In adults with obesity, semaglutide gave a lower relative risk of MACE versus placebo at long-term follow-up; the review described the difference as likely not clinically significant (moderate-certainty evidence).

    In plain wordsIn adults with obesity, semaglutide was linked to fewer major heart events than placebo over 26 months. The review described the difference as likely small.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    DecreaseMajor adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), long term
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Cardiovascular events · Cardiovascular
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated · 26 monthsAs given in this study (human).

    Measurements

    risk ratio
    0.81 ratio
    MACE

    Source sentences

    Summary
    MACE (RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.73 to 0.90; moderate-certainty evidence)
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared semaglutide with placebo, structured lifestyle modification programmes, other anti-obesity medications or other GLP-1RAs in adults living with obesity, with a minimum of six months' follow-up.
    Summary · context
    We included 18 RCTs (27,949 participants), with a mean age ranging from 41.0 to 69.5 years, and an average BMI between 31.9 kg/m2 and 40.3 kg/m2.
  16. 16HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome

    In adults with obesity, semaglutide gave a lower relative risk of death versus placebo at long-term follow-up; the review described the difference as likely not clinically significant (moderate-certainty evidence).

    In plain wordsIn adults with obesity, fewer people died with semaglutide than with placebo over 26 months. The review described the difference as likely small.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    DecreaseMortality, long term
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Mortality · Whole body
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated · 26 monthsAs given in this study (human).

    Measurements

    risk ratio
    0.82 ratio
    mortality

    Source sentences

    Summary
    and mortality (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.72 to 0.94; moderate-certainty evidence).
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared semaglutide with placebo, structured lifestyle modification programmes, other anti-obesity medications or other GLP-1RAs in adults living with obesity, with a minimum of six months' follow-up.
    Summary · context
    We included 18 RCTs (27,949 participants), with a mean age ranging from 41.0 to 69.5 years, and an average BMI between 31.9 kg/m2 and 40.3 kg/m2.

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

Version history

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

  1. Version 4Current

    12 Oct 2026, 11:11 UTC

    Study results updated

  2. Versions 2 to 3

    9 Oct 2026, 03:07 UTC

    The same notice was added 2 times, first on 9 Oct 2026, 03:06 UTC. The status did not change between them.

    Study data updated · source update from Europe PMC

  3. Version 1

    9 Oct 2026, 03:05 UTC

    First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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