Simplifying a Method to Limit Severity of a Major Side Effect in Semaglutide Treatment
A new study published in the journal Diabetes Care suggests that a slower, more flexible dosing schedule for the medication Semaglutide can help combat the common side effect of nausea and improve medication adherence.
The active ingredient in medications Wegovy and Ozempic, Semaglutide works by mimicking GLP-1, a hormone that plays a key role in regulating metabolism and hunger. However, at least a third of people taking GLP-1s report feeling nauseous.
The study, involving 104 people with type 2 diabetes, randomized participants into two groups. One group followed an 8-week typical dosing program for Semaglutide, while the other followed a slower, more flexible 16-week schedule.
The results showed that the flexible group reported less nausea (45.1% vs. 64.2%) and significantly fewer days with nausea (2.88 vs. 6.3 days). Withdrawal due to GI adverse events was much lower in the flexible group (2%) versus the standard group (19%). Fatigue was also reduced in the flexible group (9.8% vs. 24.5%).
Despite these differences in side effects and adherence, glycemic control (HbA1c) and BMI reduction were similar between the two groups, meaning efficacy was maintained.
The slower, flexible titration of Semaglutide can lead to better treatment adherence by reducing nausea and other gastrointestinal symptoms without compromising the drug’s effectiveness. This approach allows patients to tolerate the medication better, potentially improving real-world outcomes.
Other sources reinforce that gastrointestinal side effects like nausea are common but manageable with appropriate dosing adjustments. Standard dosing schedules often start low and increase gradually to reduce these effects, but the flexible approach with even smaller initial doses and individualized up-titration appears superior.
If nausea or GI side effects present a barrier to adherence, clinicians may consider implementing or advocating slower, patient-tailored dosing increases to improve tolerance and continuation of Semaglutide therapy. However, it's important to note that the study's results are limited due to a small sample size and the need for more work in larger and more diverse groups.
- Gizmodo recently reported on a new study published in the journal Diabetes Care, which suggests that a modified dosing schedule for the medication Semaglutide could help reduce nausea and improve adherence.
- Semaglutide, the active ingredient in medications like Wegovy and Ozempic, works by mimicking GLP-1, a hormone essential for regulating metabolism and hunger.
- The study, involving 104 people with type 2 diabetes, compared two groups: one following a traditional 8-week dosing program for Semaglutide, and the other a slower, more flexible 16-week schedule.
- The flexible group reported less nausea and significantly fewer days with nausea compared to the standard group, with fewer patients reporting withdrawal due to gastrointestinal adverse events.
- Despite the differences in side effects and adherence, the study found that efficacy, measured by glycemic control (HbA1c) and BMI reduction, were comparable between the two groups.
- This flexible dosing approach could lead to better treatment adherence by reducing nausea and other gastrointestinal symptoms, potentially improving real-world outcomes.
- As nausea can be a barrier to adherence, health professionals may consider adjusting dosing schedules for Semaglutide to improve tolerance and continuation. However, it's crucial to acknowledge that the study's findings are limited due to a small sample size and the need for more research in larger and more diverse groups.
