Efficacy of Semaglutide in Treating Obesity: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs).
Cureus · 2022
Last updated 2026-08-31A review of 12 clinical trials found that semaglutide, a GLP-1 drug, effectively treats obesity with mostly mild side effects like stomach issues. The studies suggest it is safe, but more research with larger groups and longer follow-up is needed to confirm its long-term effects and best dosing.
AI summary of the abstract below.
| Journal | Cureus, 2022 |
|---|---|
| Citations | 22 |
| Relative citation ratio | 1.98 |
| NIH percentile | 73 |
| Molecules | semaglutide |
Abstract
Obesity is a major health problem worldwide resulting in numerous health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes (T2D), and certain types of cancer which are among the leading causes of premature preventable deaths. Recently, glucagon like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) has been identified as the most promising intervention in treating obesity. Our systematic review aims to analyze the efficacy of semaglutide, a GLP-1RA in treating obesity. We searched PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases to review and distill full-text articles based on the eligibility criteria and involved 12 papers of clinical trials. The review found that semaglutide is safe and effective in treating obesity, and complications reported were primarily gastrointestinal events. Further exploration with more number of clinical trials involving greater sample size and lengthier time of follow-up is essential to determine its efficacy and safety in a diverse group of individuals who are overweight or obese and the dose required along with the duration of treatment.
Verbatim abstract via PubMed 36654602 ↗
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