Higher dose of oral semaglutide drug linked to better blood sugar control: Scientists

New Delhi: High doses of the widely used oral blood sugar drug semaglutide are associated with better blood sugar control and greater weight loss than lower doses, researchers have published a report in The Lancet.

They discovered that once-daily oral semaglutide taken at doses of 25 mg and 50 mg was more effective than the lowest dose of 14 mg at reducing blood sugar and increasing weight reduction. Higher dosages of GLP-1 receptor agonists are excellent for weight loss whereas lower doses are very effective for lowering A1C, or the average blood glucose.

According to John Buse, research author and professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina Health Care in the US, patients dropped eight kilogrammes on average at 50 milligrammes, which is about twice as much weight loss as was observed at the lowest dose.

Diabetes is generally characterised by persistent thirst, excessive urine, and excessively high blood glucose levels. As the condition worsens over time, it becomes harder for the patient to control their blood sugar levels. A GLP-1 receptor agonist known as semaglutide has been shown to provide patients with better control over reducing blood sugar levels. Blood sugar levels are calculated through a percentage, called A1C. The American Diabetes Association defines healthy diabetic people as having an A1C of less than 7 per cent.

In this trial, 1,606 diabetic volunteers were assigned into three groups at random and instructed to take oral semaglutide once a day. Volunteers were on average age of 58.2 years old, male, and had diabetes. Each group received one of three doses over the course of 52 weeks: 14 mg, 25 mg, or 50 mg. The A1C ranged from 8 to 10.5 per cent for each subject. Comparing those who took 14 mg to those who took 25 mg and 50 mg of oral semaglutide, it was shown that the former group had a higher likelihood of achieving the A1C target of less than 7 per cent.

Semaglutide is known to also lead to weight reduction by suppressing appetite. The individuals who took oral semaglutide 50 mg lost an average of 8 kilogrammes (kg) during the course of the 52-week study. The researchers discovered that those who took 25 mg and 14 mg lost roughly 7 kg and 4.5 kg, respectively.

Source: News9 Live