Semaglutide and obesity: beyond the nutritional and lifestyle intervention?

Abstract

Semaglutide is the second marketed glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist that can be used safely and efficiently in non-diabetic people with excess weight, providing a new milestone in the pharmacological treatment of obesity. This narrative review aims to describe the clinical actions of this new drug in weight management in non-diabetic patients along with possible side-effects and dropout reasons. To accomplish this, the PubMed database was searched to retrieve the most relevant clinical studies published to date on this topic, using the following keywords "semaglutide and obesity". Currently, semaglutide is on the market in two formulations, the once-weekly subcutaneous (s.c.) semaglutide and once-daily oral semaglutide. Data in the literature on the anti-obesity action of semaglutide are available for both routes of administration of the drug, with a prevalence of studies using the s.c. one. However, given its dosage, oral semaglutide may provide greater attractiveness and better treatment adherence, but further research is needed in this field.