by A new experimental medication that is to be taken only once a month could lead to “significant weight loss” within a year and help to overcome both diabetes and obesity, according to a new clinical study.
Results of the study published on Tuesday in the magazine NejmShow that Maridbart Cafraglutid or Maritide could reduce body weight by up to 20 percent within one year. Even after 12 months of taking the medicine, weight loss among the participants did not have a plateau, which indicates that there was further weight loss.
The drug developed by pharmaceutical companies AMgen aims at the same combination of molecules as popular weight loss studies such as Ozempic and another way that is involved in the insulin release.
The weight loss induced by the new drug was determined that they are associated with improvements in heart health measures such as waist size, blood pressure and blood levels of circulating fat molecules.
“The data show the potential for once a month or less frequent dosage and are particularly encouraging when we are looking for sustainable, long-term treatments for people who live with obesity, with and without type 2 diabetes,” said Ania Jaasteboff, a study of the Yale School of Medicine.
The phase -2 study included almost 600 people, which were divided into two cohorts -one with obesity and the other with obesity and type -2 diabetes.
The obesity group received Maritide subcutaneously in different doses of 140, 280 or 420 mm every four weeks, whereby the doses have increased carefully every few weeks or months.
Treatment led to an average weight loss of 20 percent in people who live alone with obesity, and almost 17 percent medium weight loss in people with obesity and type -2 diabetes, the study showed.
“The monthly or less frequent dosage of Maritide has the potential to improve liability and long-term weight control and to give the opportunity to optimize health results for people with obesity, type 2 diabetes and associated conditions,” said Jay Bradner, Executive Vice President of Research and Development at Amgen.
The study resulted in some “light to moderate” side effects in connection with intestine in people who take the medication. However, these gastrointestinal events were mainly limited to the initial dosage and were less common when the cans were carefully increased without impairing the effectiveness, they said.
Due to these side effects, however, there was no interruption at any time during the study.
The researchers are currently evaluating the effectiveness of the drug in reducing weight among those who have already lost 15 percent of their weight in the last study.
They also hope to test the effectiveness of the drug for weight loss in people with heart disease and obstructive sleep apnea.
