Effects of Gradually Reducing Semaglutide Dose Versus Stopping It Suddenly on Weight and Heart Health in Adults with Obesity

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying the effects of gradually reducing semaglutide compared to stopping it all at once in adults living with obesity who have no pre-existing cardiovascular disease or type 2 diabetes. Semaglutide is a medication that helps with weight loss by affecting appetite control, but little is known about the best way to maintain weight after stopping this treatment. This trial aims to understand if tapering off semaglutide affects weight regain, heart risk factors, and hormones that regulate energy differently than stopping immediately. The study involves two groups one group will reduce their semaglutide dose by 25% every four weeks until stopping completely at week 16, while the other group will stop semaglutide all at once at week 16. This open-label trial will compare changes in body weight, blood pressure, and hormone levels related to appetite and energy balance between these groups over 32 weeks. Participants will have regular visits for monitoring body weight, blood pressure, and blood tests to measure hormones such as ghrelin. Researchers will track changes in these measures to assess the impact of the different withdrawal methods. The total study duration includes 32 weeks of follow-up after treatment cessation to evaluate recovery and cardiometabolic changes following semaglutide withdrawal.

Impact of Semaglutide Withdrawal on Cardiometabolic Profile and Physiology of Energy Balance: Recovery Effects After Semaglutide Termination