The short answer
After an initial semaglutide phase, people who continued treatment lost more weight on average. Those switched to placebo regained weight, despite continued lifestyle support.
How was it tested?
Of 902 adults starting a 20-week treatment period, 803 reached the maintenance dose and were randomized. They had already lost an average of 10.6% of their starting weight.
Researchers then compared continued weekly semaglutide 2.4 mg with placebo for another 48 weeks.
Percent of weight at randomization
Original chart based on the study. Values are reported group results.
| Group or measure | Result |
|---|---|
| Continued semaglutide | −7.9% |
| Switched to placebo | +6.9% |
What happened?
Weight changed by −7.9% with continued semaglutide and +6.9% with placebo. These percentages use weight at randomization as the new starting point; they should not simply be added to the earlier loss.
Digestive events occurred in 49.1% versus 26.1%. Adverse-event discontinuation was similar: 2.4% versus 2.2%.
The useful takeaway
Maintenance is part of treatment, not just what comes afterward. But this selected group had already reached the maintenance dose; the results do not describe everyone who starts. The trial also did not test alternative maintenance medicines.
Sources
Rubino and colleagues, JAMA, 2021, corrected 2023. Funded by Novo Nordisk. Read the study.