Efficacy and safety of semaglutide 2.4 mg according to antidepressant use at baseline: A post hoc subgroup analysis

ObjectiveTo explore the efficacy and safety of semaglutide 2.4 mg in people with overweight/obesity who were also being treated with antidepressants (ADs).MethodsAcross the Semaglutide Treatment Effect for People with obesity (STEP) 1-3 and 5 trials, adults with overweight/obesity and type 2 diabetes (STEP 2 only) were enrolled. People with severe major depressive disorder within 2 years prior to screening or with a patient health questionnaire-9 score >= 15 at screening were excluded. Participants were categorized into subgroups according to baseline AD status (on/off ADs) in this post hoc exploratory analysis of the STEP trials.ResultsOf 3683 participants randomized, 539 were on ADs at baseline. Mean body weight change from baseline to week 68 was greater for semaglutide versus placebo, regardless of baseline AD use. In STEP 1, for participants on ADs at baseline, mean change from baseline was -15.7% with semaglutide versus -0.2% with placebo and -14.7% versus -2.8% for those not on ADs at baseline. Similar patterns were seen in STEP 2, 3, and 5. The prevalence of adverse events (AEs) was generally similar between semaglutide and placebo in participants on ADs at baseline.ConclusionsIn adults with overweight/obesity, semaglutide provided clinically meaningful weight loss regardless of baseline AD use, with an AE profile consistent with previous studies.

Automated summary

This study aimed to explore the efficacy and safety of semaglutide 2.4 mg in overweight/obese individuals on antidepressant treatment. The results showed that semaglutide led to significant weight loss regardless of baseline antidepressant use, with a similar occurrence of adverse events compared to placebo.