The takeaway
SUSTAIN 1 tested weekly semaglutide in people with type 2 diabetes—not the higher-dose regimen studied for obesity. Its weight results answer a different question.
What researchers found
The 30-week trial randomized 388 adults previously managing diabetes with diet and exercise; 387 received treatment. Blood sugar was the primary outcome and weight a secondary outcome. The main analysis censored measurements after treatment stopped or additional diabetes medication began. More placebo participants needed rescue medication, contributing to missing measurements.
Diabetes doses; measurements before stopping or rescue
Original visual based on the study.
| Group or measure | Result |
|---|---|
| Semaglutide 0.5 mg | −3.73 kg |
| Semaglutide 1 mg | −4.53 kg |
| Placebo | −0.98 kg |
The trade-offs
Nausea was reported by about 20%–24% taking semaglutide versus 8% with placebo. Adverse events led to stopping treatment in about 5%–6% versus 2%. No deaths were reported, but a short trial cannot settle long-term safety.
The useful lesson
Dose, population and follow-up time change the story. Comparing this result directly with an obesity trial can mislead. Novo Nordisk funded and helped conduct the research.