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Diabetes drug tested for weight loss

Posted on: 03/Jul/2015 11:08:51 AM
A clinical trial conducted by Novo Nordisk, has shown that an injectable drug, normally used for diabetes, can control weight gain. The findings of the trial were published in the New England Journal of Medicine. 

The study was conducted over a period of 56 weeks, at 191 sites in 27 countries in Australia, Europe, North America, Asia, Africa and South America. The findings show that obese people could lose up to 18 pounds or 8 kilograms. All patients in the trial were 18 years or older and had a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or more. BMI is the ratio of height vs weight. 

A total of 3,731 people took part in the study, out of which roughly two thirds were given the actual drug, whereas the others were given a placebo. Those in the placebo group lost an average of 6 pounds and those given the actual drug lost thrice as much. The trial was conducted double blind - neither the doctor nor the patient knew if they got a placebo or the real drug. 

The drug, called liraglitude, made a ’significant’  change in weight. However, side effects include gastrointestinal distress, gallstones and an increase (albeit) slight increase in great cancer risk. However, researchers said that the weight loss helped to find tumours more easily. According to experts, even a small decrease in weight helps to find other illnesses easily.