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Semaglutide for weight loss: STEP and SELECT trials: Results from the STEP and SELECT trials

What you need to know

The weekly injectable GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide is approved for use in type 2 diabetes at a dose optimized for glucose lowering, of 1.0 mg/week. But the results of the first STEP trial show that at a higher dose of 2.4 mg/week it is also an effective weight loss agent, easily surpassing the effects of any currently available medication.


Browse this page for details of the completed and ongoing STEP trials, and the SELECT cardiovascular outcomes study, plus interviews with the researchers.

At a glance

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02-11-2021 | Semaglutide | At a glance | Article

A quick guide to the STEP trials

Read our round-up of the STEP phase 3 trials of semaglutide 2.4 mg in people with obesity, plus the SELECT cardiovascular outcomes trial.

STEP 1 trial results

Man checking body fat (symbolic image with model)

02-11-2021 | Semaglutide | News

STEP 1: Semaglutide promotes substantial weight loss in people without diabetes

Findings of the STEP 1 study show marked weight loss in people with obesity but without type 2 diabetes during over a year of treatment with a high dose of semaglutide.

STEP 2 trial results

Woman injecting insulin with insulin pen

03-03-2021 | Semaglutide | News

STEP 2 shows benefits of higher semaglutide dose in type 2 diabetes

The STEP 2 trial shows that overweight or obese people with type 2 diabetes achieve greater weight loss and larger improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors when given a higher semaglutide dose than is currently approved.

STEP 3 trial results

Scales graphic representing reducing size and weight

02-24-2021 | Semaglutide | News

STEP 3: Semaglutide boosts weight loss during intensive behavioral therapy

Add-on treatment with subcutaneous semaglutide 2.4 mg produces a marked increase in weight loss for people without diabetes undertaking an intensive lifestyle intervention to combat obesity, report the STEP 3 investigators in JAMA.

STEP 4 trial results

Weighing scale isolated on black background

03-23-2021 | Semaglutide | News

STEP 4: Long-term treatment needed for full semaglutide benefit

People with obesity continue to lose weight if they remain on semaglutide 2.4 mg after an initial 20 weeks of treatment, but gradually regain it if they switch to placebo, show the STEP 4 findings.

STEP 5 trial results

Doctor measures a man's waist

10-10-2022 | Semaglutide | News

STEP 5: Sustained semaglutide treatment maintains weight loss

The substantial weight loss achieved with weekly semaglutide 2.4 mg is maintained if people continue to take the medication for 2 years, show the STEP 5 results.

STEP 6 trial results

Doctor measuring blood pressure of senior woman at home

02-07-2022 | Semaglutide | News

STEP 6: Semaglutide addresses ‘pathophysiology of metabolic syndrome’ in east Asians

The STEP 6 findings reveal significant weight loss, along with a reduction in abdominal visceral fat, in east Asian people with obesity taking a high dose of semaglutide.

STEP 8 trial results

Diabetes medication in overweight person

01-11-2022 | Semaglutide | News

STEP 8: Semaglutide better than liraglutide at weight-management doses

Semaglutide 2.4 mg produces substantially more weight loss than liraglutide 3.0 mg in people with overweight or obesity but without diabetes, say the STEP 8 investigators.

approvalsWatch

FDA approves higher semaglutide dose for obesity

June 5, 2021: The US FDA has approved the 2.4 mg weekly dose of semaglutide to treat obesity regardless of the presence of type 2 diabetes.

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