In a nutshell
The aim of this study was to examine the safety and effectiveness of adding semaglutide to SGLT-2 therapy in type 2 diabetes (T2D). The main finding of the study was that adding semaglutide to SGLT-2 therapy significantly improved blood sugar control and decreased body weight in patients with T2D.
Some background
There are many different types of drugs used in the treatment of T2D. Combinations of different drugs are often used when blood glucose levels are not controlled with one drug alone.
SGLT-2 inhibitors (gliflozins) are blood glucose lowering drugs used in the treatment of T2D. They work by blocking the uptake of glucose in the kidney back into the blood. Instead, the glucose gets removed from the body in the urine.
Semaglutide (Ozempic) is a GLP-1 agonist. It works by increasing the amount of insulin (the hormone that controls blood glucose levels) in the body.
The safety and effectiveness of adding semaglutide to SGLT-2 therapy are under investigation.
Methods & findings
This study included 302 patients who were taking SGLT-2 inhibitors. Patients were then randomly assigned to take as an add-on either 1 mg semaglutide by weekly injection or a weekly placebo. Patients were treated for 30 weeks and followed up for an additional 5 weeks.
Patients who were treated with semaglutide had greater reductions in their HbA1c (blood test measuring average blood glucose over the past 3 months) compared to the placebo group. Patients treated with semaglutide also had greater reductions in body weight compared to those who received the placebo.
The most common side effects reported were gastrointestinal (GI) side effects (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.). 37.3% of patients in the semaglutide treated group reported GI side effects compared to 13.2% of the placebo group. Serious side effects were reported in 4.7% of the semaglutide group compared to 4.0% of the placebo group.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that adding semaglutide to SGLT-2 therapy improved blood glucose control and reduced body weight in patients with T2D.
The fine print
This study was funded by Novo Nordisk, the developer of semaglutide.
Published By :
The lancet. Diabetes & endocrinology
Date :
Mar 01, 2019
