Efficacy and safety of semaglutide 2.4 mg for weight loss in overweight or obese adults without diabetes: An updated systematic review and meta‐analysis including the 2‐year STEP 5 trial

Abstract Aim To explore the safety and efficacy of subcutaneous semaglutide 2.4 mg, administered once a week in non‐diabetic overweight or obese individuals. Methods A thorough search was performed of various databases including PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, clinicaltrials.gov, CNKI and Wanfang from their inception up to April 11, 2023. Our aim was to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the efficacy of semaglutide administered once weekly with placebo in overweight or obese adults. Through a review of the literature, data were extracted from relevant studies and assessed for quality, and a meta‐analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.4.1 software. Results Six RCTs comprising 3962 overweight or obese individuals were identified. The findings indicated that, in comparison to the placebo group, semaglutide caused a significant and sustainable reduction in the percentage of body weight (BW; mean difference [MD]: −11.80% [95% confidence interval {CI} −12.93, −10.68]; P < 0.00001) as well as a decrease in absolute BW (MD: −12.2 kg [95% CI −13.3, −11.1]; P < 0.00001), body mass index (MD: −4.5 kg/m 2 [95% CI −4.9, −4.1]; P < 0.00001) and waist circumference (MD:−9.4 cm [95% CI −10.1, −8.8]; P < 0.00001). Moreover, it achieved a higher proportion of patients who experienced weight loss exceeding 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%. Furthermore, semaglutide showed significant efficacy in controlling blood pressure, blood sugar levels, C‐reactive protein levels, and lipid profiles. In terms of safety, the most common adverse effects following semaglutide treatment were gastrointestinal adverse reactions (risk ratio: 1.49 [95% CI 1.38, 1.60]; P < 0.00001), which were generally mild to moderate in severity and temporary. Conclusion In overweight or obese non‐diabetic individuals, semaglutide had a remarkable and sustained weight loss effect that was well tolerated and safe.