Semaglutide(Hybio)

The study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of semaglutide in weight loss in non-diabetic people.

In this study, 84 non-diabetic people who used semaglutide to lose weight in the outpatient department of our hospital from January 1, 2022, to June 30, 2022, were enrolled and compared for changes in body weight, waist circumference, Body Mass Index (BMI), fasting blood glucose, blood pressure, pulse, and body composition (body fat ratio, visceral fat area, and skeletal muscle) before treatment and 12 weeks after the treatment to analyze the weight loss efficacy and safety.

After administering semaglutide 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 0.75 mg, or 1.0 mg subcutaneously once a week for 12 weeks, 84 participants in this study obtained an average weight loss of 5.91 ± 3.37 kg, equivalent to 6.15 ± 4.28% of baseline body weight, and there was also a significant reduction in visceral fat area and a slight reduction in blood pressure. The most common adverse reactions included gastrointestinal reactions (nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea), which were mild and subsided within 1-2 days. No severe adverse reaction, such as hypoglycemia and hypotension, was observed.

Low-dose semaglutide has been found to be effective and safe for short-term weight loss in non-diabetic people.

Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1 RAs) are at the forefront of treating the global health crisis of diabetes mellitus (DM) and obesity. However, the demand for GLP‐1 RAs has far outstripped its supply and comes with a high monthly cost. Thus, the development of GLP‐1 RA biosimilars can potentially address these barriers by providing greater access to medications that provide clinical outcomes similar to those of the reference products. A narrative review was conducted to examine the current and future developments for GLP‐1 RA biosimilars. Liraglutide and semaglutide are the predominant GLP‐1 RAs being investigated for the development of biosimilars. Preliminary liraglutide biosimilar comparisons to reference liraglutide have demonstrated similar clinical efficacy and safety profiles. Semaglutide and beinaglutide biosimilars are currently under investigation as well. With the growing popularity of GLP‐1 RAs, accessibility and affordability remain a challenge as monthly costs without insurance for liraglutide, semaglutide and tirzepatide are $1418, $892, and $974 respectively. This trend negatively impacts patients with obesity and DM as well as patients who can utilize it for off‐label indications for conditions that benefit from weight loss such as obstructive sleep apnoea and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease. A substantial number of pharmaceutical and healthcare companies worldwide are conducting clinical trials on their GLP‐1 RA biosimilars. Preliminary results from liraglutide biosimilars are promising, and several semaglutide biosimilars are currently being investigated. Future research should focus on conducting comparative head‐to‐head trials to determine the clinical outcomes between biosimilars and reference products.