Semaglutide for management of obesity in adolescents: efficacy, safety, and considerations for clinical practice.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to review existing data on semaglutide's effects, including its impact on alanine aminotransferase levels, in adolescents with obesity.
Results Summary
Semaglutide improved elevated alanine aminotransferase levels and other metabolic parameters in youth with obesity, but long-term safety data, including risks like pancreatitis, remain limited.
Population
Adolescents with obesity
Effective Dosage
Once weekly subcutaneous injection (specific dosage not mentioned)
Duration
68 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
semaglutide | decrease | body mass index (BMI) | youth with obesity | - | effectively reduces | #1 |
semaglutide | increase | hyperglycemia | youth with obesity | - | improving | #2 |
semaglutide | increase | elevated alanine aminotransferase levels | youth with obesity | - | improving | #3 |
semaglutide | increase | hyperlipidemia | youth with obesity | - | improving | #4 |
semaglutide | increase | quality of life | youth with obesity | - | improving | #5 |
semaglutide | decrease | BMI | pediatric obesity management | - | clear short-term reductions in | #6 |
semaglutide | increase | metabolic parameters | pediatric obesity management | - | improvement in | #7 |
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to describe the existing limited data related to the use of semaglutide in adolescents with obesity, supplementing with findings from adult studies of semaglutide use. RECENT FINDINGS: Semaglutide, as a once weekly subcutaneous injection for weight management, effectively reduces body mass index (BMI) while improving hyperglycemia, elevated alanine aminotransferase levels, hyperlipidemia, and quality of life in youth with obesity. As of this review, only one large randomized clinical trial of semaglutide in youth has been completed, with a follow-up duration of 68 weeks. Thus, long-term data on the safety in adolescents is limited, particularly regarding the risks of cholelithiasis, pancreatitis, suicidal ideation, and disordered eating. Due to the cost of semaglutide, particularly in the United States, limited cost effectiveness analyses have demonstrated unfavorable incremental cost-effectiveness ratios for semaglutide relative to phentermine-topiramate as an alternative antiobesity medication in adolescents. SUMMARY: Semaglutide represents an important advance in the pediatric obesity management, with clear short-term reductions in BMI and improvement in metabolic parameters. However, its long-term safety and efficacy for youth with obesity remain to be demonstrated. Additional research is needed to assess trends in utilization and adherence to minimize the risk of worsening socioeconomic disparities in pediatric obesity.