Weight-Loss drug semaglutide put to the test on appetite control
NCT ID NCT05548647
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Aug 04, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study looked at how a weekly injection of semaglutide (2.4 mg) affects appetite, eating behavior, and mood in 120 adults with obesity. All participants also received lifestyle counseling on diet and exercise. The goal was to see if semaglutide reduces calorie intake and improves feelings of fullness compared to a placebo.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- semaglutide (a once-weekly injection for weight loss)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could confirm how semaglutide helps control appetite and eating habits, supporting its use as a long-term weight management tool.
- What could go wrong
- This is a completed Phase 4 trial, so results are already in. However, the findings may not apply to everyone, and semaglutide can cause side effects like nausea or vomiting.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Phase 4
Runs after approval, following long-term safety and how well the treatment works in everyday use.
- Participants
-
120 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Jul 2022
- Finished
-
May 2025
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 to 70 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Men and women who report a desire to lose weight 2. Aged 18-70 years 3. Body mass index \[BMI\] ≥ 30 kg/m2 or BMI ≥ 27 kg/m2 with an obesity-related comorbidity (e.g., treated or untreated hypertension, dyslipidemia, obstructive sleep apnea, or cardiovascular disease) 4. Eligible female patients will be: * non-pregnant, evidenced by a negative urine pregnancy test * non-lactating * surgically sterile or postmenopausal, or they will agree to continue to use an accepted method of birth control during the study 5. Subjects must * Plan to remain in the Philadelphia area for the next 1.5 years. * Ability to provide informed consent before any trial-related activities. Exclusion Criteria: 1. A diagnosis of type I or II diabetes 2. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) \> 6.5% 3. Uncontrolled hypertension (blood pressure ≥ 160/100 mm Hg) 4. Clinically significant hepatic (i.e., liver fibrosis, cirrhosis or confirmed NASH) or renal disease 5. Uncontrolled thyroid disease 6. Experienced a cardiovascular event (e.g., stroke, myocardial infarction) in the last 6 months, congestive heart failure, or heart block greater than first degree 7. A history of acute pancreatitis in the last 6 months 8. Any history of chronic pancreatitis 9. A history of malignancy (other than non-melanoma skin cancer) within the last 5 years 10. A personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 11. A self-reported change in body weight \>5kg (11 lbs) within 90 days before screening 12. Used within the last 6 months medications known to produce weight loss/gain (e.g., medications approved for weight loss, oral steroids, antipsychotic medications) or any GLP-1 receptor agonist. 13. Known or suspected allergy or hypersensitivity to trial medication(s), excipients, or related products 14. The receipt of any investigational drug within 6 months prior to this trial 15. Applicants with current severe major depressive disorder (BDI-II score ≥ 29 or Patient Health Questionnaire-9 \[PHQ-9\] score \> 15) or severe anxiety disorder 16. Applicants with current, active suicidal ideation, and/or a suicide attempt within the past year (such individuals will be referred for psychiatric treatment if they have not previously received it). 17. Any severity of psychotic or bipolar disorder 18. Bulimia nervosa diagnosis within the past 5 years 19. Self-reported alcohol or substance abuse within the past 6 months, including at-risk drinking (current consumption of ≥ 14 alcoholic drinks per week) 20. History of (or plans to receive in the next 1.5 years) bariatric surgery or a weight loss device. (However, the following will be allowed: liposuction or abdominoplasty \> 1 year before screening, laparoscopic banding if removed \> 1 year before screening, intragastric balloon or aspire assist if removed \> 1 year before screening.) 21. Inability to walk 5 blocks or more (comfortably) or engage in another form of aerobic activity. 22. Women who are nursing, pregnant, or planning to become pregnant in the next 1.5 years or are not using adequate contraceptive measures 23. Previous participation in this trial (e.g., randomized but failed to participate) 24. Changes to any chronic medication (type or dosage) within the past 3 months. 25. Food allergy or dietary preference that would prevent the individual from consuming the standard breakfast or ad libitum lunch. 1\. To be eligible to participate in the re-randomized treatment period from weeks 60 to 72, subjects must also: * complete a week 60 assessment * be classified as "on drug" as at the week 60 assessment and report taking at least one dose of trial product within the past 2 weeks
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Obesity are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
University of Pennsylvania Center for Weight and Eating Disorders
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Which exercise dose best helps kids with metabolic syndrome?
- Custom knee guides put to the test in obese patients
- A pill for obesity? early human trial puts MDR-001 to the test
- Can a weekly shot help people who still struggle with weight after bariatric surgery?
- Do GLP-1 Weight-Loss drugs change how teens eat and feel?
- Can electrical muscle stimulation boost exercise benefits after menopause?