Semaglutide Results: What to Expect at 1, 3, 6 and 12 Months
In STEP 1, people on semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly lost 14.9% of their body weight on average over 68 weeks, against 2.4% on placebo.
- Average loss, top dose
- 14.9%
- On placebo
- 2.4%
- Trial length
- 68 weeks
- Trial
- STEP 1
Wegovy in short
The half-life is about 1 week: after 7 d half is gone, and after five half-lives (35 d) about 3% is left.
Across 68 weeks in STEP 1, the body-weight figure was 14.9%, compared with 2.4% for placebo.
Monthly prices shown in US dollars come from the maker's price page, including list prices and self-pay offers.
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed), healthsystemtracker.org, prnewswire.com 1 2.
Semaglutide results: the numbers first
| Trial | Dose group | Average weight lost | Placebo or comparison | Weeks | Who was in it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEP 1 | Semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly | 14.9% | 2.4% | 68 | Adults with obesity or overweight, without diabetes |
| OASIS 4 | Wegovy pill 25 mg daily | 13.6% | 2.4% | 64 | Adults with obesity or overweight, without diabetes |
| SURMOUNT-5 | Semaglutide 1.7 or 2.4 mg weekly (Wegovy) | 13.7% | semaglutide (Wegovy) | 72 | Adults with obesity, without type 2 diabetes |
| STEP 2 | Semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly | 9.6% | 3.4% | 68 | Adults with type 2 diabetes who also have obesity or overweight |
Source details: STEP 1 (FDA label (DailyMed)), SURMOUNT-5 (PubMed), STEP 2 (PubMed).
What the average means in pounds
The trial's 14.9% average applies to three different starting weights. Just arithmetic, not a prediction about one person: some lose more, some lose less.
| Starting weight | Average loss on semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly | Average loss on placebo |
|---|---|---|
| 180 lb | about 27 lb | about 4 lb |
| 220 lb | about 33 lb | about 5 lb |
| 260 lb | about 39 lb | about 6 lb |
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed).
Week by week
- Early on, stomach side effects show up most often when the dose is still low and going up. After each dose increase, they often return for a few days.
- STEP 1 ended at Week 68, when the average loss shown above was measured.
Sources: health.clevelandclinic.org, PubMed.
Why it stalls and what helps
- Check where you are in the dose steps. Every trial above shows that lower doses produce less weight loss.
- Over the last month, count doses you missed or took late.
- For a few days, keep a record of your food and drink. When portions shrink, calories from liquids and grazing add up.
- If progress has stalled for months, ask your prescriber about switching medicines. Also ask about a thyroid test or a blood sugar check.