Comparative effectiveness of semaglutide
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Semaglutide | decrease | hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels | patients | 0.56; 95% CI: 0.19-0.94; p < 0.001 | significantly reduced | #1 |
Semaglutide | no change | fasting blood sugar (FBS) | patients | - | no significant differences were observed | #2 |
Semaglutide | no change | body mass index (BMI) | patients | - | no significant differences were observed | #3 |
Semaglutide | no change | weight change | patients | - | no significant differences were observed | #4 |
Semaglutide | decrease | HbA1c levels | patients | 3.72; 95% CI: 0.02-7.41; p = 0.05 | displayed superior efficacy in reducing | #5 |
Semaglutide | decrease | FBS | patients | 2.66; 95% CI: 0.26-5.07; p = 0.03 | displayed superior efficacy in reducing | #6 |
Semaglutide | no change | weight change | patients | - | no significant differences were found | #7 |
Semaglutide | no change | BMI change | patients | - | no significant differences were found | #8 |
Tirzepatide | decrease | HbA1c levels | patients | -0.45; 95% CI: -0.88 to -0.02; p = 0.04 | exhibited a notable advantage over Semaglutide in reducing | #9 |
Tirzepatide | no change | weight change | patients | - | no clear superiority was observed | #10 |
Tirzepatide | no change | FBS change | patients | - | no clear superiority was observed | #11 |
Transition from Liraglutide to Semaglutide | no change | HbA1c levels | patients | - | did not significantly impact | #12 |
Transition from Liraglutide to Semaglutide | decrease | weight loss | patients | 2.48; 95% CI: 0.45-4.51; p = 0.02 | were observed | #13 |
Transition from Liraglutide to Semaglutide | decrease | FBS levels | patients | 10.76; 95% CI: 0.55-20; p = 0.04 | reduced | #14 |
Transition from Dulaglutide to Semaglutide | no change | HbA1c levels | patients | - | did not significantly affect | #15 |
Transition from Dulaglutide to Semaglutide | no change | weight change | patients | - | did not significantly affect | #16 |
Semaglutide | decrease | HbA1c levels | - | - | demonstrate superior efficacy compared to Liraglutide in reducing | #17 |
Semaglutide | decrease | weight | - | - | demonstrate superior efficacy compared to Liraglutide in reducing | #18 |
Semaglutide | decrease | FBS levels | - | - | presents advantages over Dulaglutide, specifically in lowering | #19 |
Tirzepatide | decrease | HbA1c levels | - | - | surpasses Semaglutide in its efficacy for reducing | #20 |
BACKGROUND: This study seeks to compare the effectiveness of Semaglutide compared to Liraglutide, Dulaglutide, or Tirzepatide. Additionally, it aims to investigate the implications of transitioning from Dulaglutide or Liraglutide to Semaglutide. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and Web of Science (ClinicalTrials.gov for unpublished records) from their inception to 5 February 2025, including observational cohort studies and randomized controlled trials. Analyses were conducted using Review Manager (RevMan) version 5.4.1 and STATA 17. RESULTS: The meta-analysis comprised 16 studies and 5,997 patients. Semaglutide significantly reduced hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels compared to Liraglutide (0.56; 95% CI: 0.19-0.94; p < 0.001). However, no significant differences were observed between Semaglutide and Liraglutide in terms of fasting blood sugar (FBS), body mass index (BMI), and weight change. In comparison to Dulaglutide, Semaglutide displayed superior efficacy in reducing HbA1c levels (3.72; 95% CI: 0.02-7.41; p = 0.05) and FBS (2.66; 95% CI: 0.26-5.07; p = 0.03). However, no significant differences were found in weight and BMI change. Tirzepatide exhibited a notable advantage over Semaglutide in reducing HbA1c levels (-0.45; 95% CI: -0.88 to -0.02; p = 0.04). However, no clear superiority was observed for weight and FBS change. Transitions from Liraglutide to Semaglutide did not significantly impact HbA1c levels. However, weight loss (2.48; 95% CI: 0.45-4.51; p = 0.02) and reduced FBS levels (10.76; 95% CI: 0.55-20; p = 0.04) were observed. Transitioning from Dulaglutide to Semaglutide did not significantly affect HbA1c levels and weight change. CONCLUSION: While the precise source of heterogeneity remains elusive across most studies, analyses consistently demonstrate Semaglutide's superior efficacy compared to Liraglutide in reducing both HbA1c levels and weight. Moreover, it presents advantages over Dulaglutide, specifically in lowering FBS levels. However, Tirzepatide surpasses Semaglutide in its efficacy for reducing HbA1c levels.