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Meta-Analysis
. 2025 Feb;18(2):e70127.
doi: 10.1111/cts.70127.

Once-Weekly Semaglutide Versus Once-Daily Liraglutide for Weight Loss in Adults: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Tallal Mushtaq Hashmi  1 , Mushood Ahmed  1 , Ali Haider  1 , Salman Naseem  1 , Uzair Jafar  2 , Munir Hussain  1 , Javed Iqbal  3 , Waqar Ali  4 , Raheel Ahmed  5   6
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Once-Weekly Semaglutide Versus Once-Daily Liraglutide for Weight Loss in Adults: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Tallal Mushtaq Hashmi et al. Clin Transl Sci. 2025 Feb.

Abstract

The effectiveness of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists in facilitating weight loss among patients with diabetes is widely recognized. However, there are limited data available on the relative effectiveness and safety of once-weekly semaglutide versus once-daily liraglutide. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) identified through a comprehensive search of the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and ScienceDirect databases from inception until July 2024. Statistical analysis was conducted using R version 4.4.1 with the "meta" package, employing a random effects model. Three RCTs with a total of 922 patients were included in our meta-analysis. The results indicated that OW semaglutide significantly reduced body weight (WMD: -4.55; 95% CI: -6.43, -2.67, p < 0.01), HbA1c (WMD: -0.46; 95% CI: -0.84, -0.08; p = 0.02), and fasting plasma glucose levels (WMD: -1.23; 95% CI: -1.51, -0.95; p < 0.01) in comparison to OD liraglutide. The risk of severe adverse effects (OR, 1.66; 95% CI, 0.53-5.16; p = 0.38) and gastrointestinal adverse effects (OR, 1.84; 95% CI, 0.82-4.14; p = 0.14) was comparable between both groups. Once-weekly semaglutide therapy results in a more pronounced loss in body weight, HbA1c, and fasting glucose levels compared to once-daily liraglutide.

Keywords: diabetes; metabolism; meta‐analysis; obesity; weight loss.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
PRISMA flowchart depicting the screening and study selection process.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Forest plots of A) change in body weight, (B) change in HbA1c, (C) change in fasting plasma glucose.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Forest plots for (A) gastrointestinal adverse effects, (B) severe adverse effects.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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