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The following is a summary of “Management of obesity with semaglutide or metformin in patients with antipsychotic-induced weight gain (MOSA): a non-randomised open-label pilot study,” published in the November 2024 issue of Psychiatry by Campforts et al.
Antipsychotic-induced weight gain (AIWG) poses a significant challenge, requiring effective interventions. Semaglutide, a Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonist, has shown promise in promoting weight loss.
Researchers conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the effectiveness of semaglutide in promoting weight loss in AIWG patients.
They conducted a prospective, non-randomized cohort study to assess the efficacy and safety of oral semaglutide for treating AIWG in routine outpatient practice. The results were compared with a control group of 50 AIWG patients taking metformin.
The results showed a mean body weight loss of 4.5 kg (95% CI, -6.7 to -2.3 kg; P < 0.001) in the semaglutide group (n=10) vs 2.9 kg (95% CI, -4.5 to -1.4 kg; P < 0.001) in the metformin group (n=26). This corresponded to a 4% weight loss for semaglutide and 2.5% for metformin. Body mass index (BMI) reductions were -1.7 kg/m2 (95% CI, -2.4 to -1.0 kg/ m2 ; P < 0.001) for semaglutide and -0.8 kg/ m2 (95% CI, -1.4 to -0.3 kg/ m2; P = 0.001) for metformin. Waist circumference reductions were -6.8 cm (95% CI, -9.7 to -3.8 cm; P < 0.001) for semaglutide and -3.4 cm (95% CI, -5.4 to -1.3 cm; P = 0.001) for metformin. Differences between groups were not statistically significant. Adverse effects were mild and transient, mainly nausea, with improvements in psychiatric symptoms and quality of life (QoL).
They concluded that oral semaglutide was a viable, effective, and safe treatment option for AIWG patients, although further studies were needed to confirm these findings.
Source: bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-024-06317-7
