From the Guidelines
Semaglutide can be considered for weight loss in a patient with a BMI of 25.8, but only on a case-by-case basis and under the guidance of a clinician experienced in obesity medicine, as per the most recent guidelines 1.
Key Considerations
- The patient's BMI of 25.8 falls into the overweight category, which may not typically qualify for medication-assisted weight loss according to some guidelines 2, 3.
- However, the most recent consensus on care and management of obesity suggests that pharmacotherapy, including semaglutide, may be considered for adults with a BMI of 25-26.9 kg/m2 on a case-by-case basis to help ameliorate obesity-related complications 1.
- The decision to prescribe semaglutide should be based on the individual's clinical characteristics, treatment targets, and the presence of weight-related complications.
- Lifestyle modifications, including dietary changes, increased physical activity, and behavioral interventions, should still be the primary approach for weight loss in patients with a BMI of 25.8.
Important Factors
- The potential side effects of semaglutide, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and rare but serious complications, should be carefully considered and weighed against the potential benefits of medication-assisted weight loss.
- Close monitoring by a clinician experienced in obesity medicine is essential if semaglutide is prescribed for a patient with a BMI of 25.8.
- The choice of obesity medication should be made with respect to the individual's clinical characteristics and the country-specific approved labeling of the available products 1.
From the Research
Semaglutide for Weight Loss
- Semaglutide has been shown to be effective in achieving significant weight loss in individuals with overweight or obesity, with mean weight losses of 14.9%-17.4% in clinical trials 4.
- The medication has been associated with improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors, including high blood pressure and atherogenic lipids, as well as benefits on physical function and quality of life 4.
- A cohort study found that weekly 1.7-mg and 2.4-mg doses of semaglutide were associated with weight loss similar to that seen in randomized clinical trials, with 87.3% of patients achieving weight loss of 5% or more and 54.9% achieving weight loss of 10% or more after 6 months 5.
Eligibility for Semaglutide Prescription
- According to the studies, semaglutide can be prescribed for patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 25.8, indicating overweight, as it has been shown to be effective in achieving weight loss in individuals with overweight or obesity 4, 5.
- The medication has been evaluated in various patient populations, including those with type 2 diabetes, and has been found to be effective in achieving weight loss regardless of age or presence of type 2 diabetes 6, 7.
Safety and Efficacy
- The safety profile of semaglutide has been consistent across trials, with primarily gastrointestinal adverse events reported 4, 8.
- The medication has been found to be effective and safe in achieving weight loss in patients with antipsychotic-induced weight gain, with significant reductions in body weight, BMI, and waist circumference observed after 16 weeks of treatment 8.