‘Significant’ weight loss breakthrough found in diabetes drug

An injectable diabetes drug can help aid weight loss, according to new research from the US.

In a year-long US study it was discovered that Liraglutide, otherwise known as Saxendro, which is made by the drug company Novo Nordisk, helped obese people lose almost 8kgs of weight.

The findings, which were published in the New England Journal of Medicine, could be beneficial as managing weight can help improve other medical issues.

Kevin Williams, chief of endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism at Temple University Health, described the weight loss as “significant”.

However, experts are keen to carry out more research to investigate and address the side-effects which include gastrointestinal distress, gallstones and a slight increase in breast cancer risk.

Researchers also believe the drug, which was given in doses of 3mg, a much higher dose that is usually prescribed for diabetes patients, might enable more tumours to be found.

More than 3,500 people took part in the trial which was conducted at 191 sites in 27 countries. All the patients were aged 18 or above and had a body mass index of 30 or more.

The trial was double-blind, with neither patients nor doctors knowing who was given the drug or the placebo. Doses of the drug were much higher at 3mg, than is usually prescribed for diabetes patients who receive 1.8mg.

Weight loss was about three times higher amongst the people who were given the drug in comparison to the placebo group.

The conclusion of the study stated: “3.0mg of Liraglutide, as an adjunct to diet and exercise, was associated with reduced body weight and improved metabolic control.”