Key points from article :
A weekly injection of semaglutide was given alongside advice on diet and fitness.
2,000 people showed an average 15kg weight loss during the 15-month trial.
Some use it as a treatment for type 2 diabetes, but this trial looked at giving it at higher doses.
Hijacking body's appetite levels and mimicking a hormone GLP1.
32% of people lost a fifth of their body weight with the drug, compared with fewer than 2% on dummy treatment.
"Losing weight would reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and of severe Covid-19," - Rachel Batterham, professor at UCL.
Would be used initially by specialist weight loss clinics.
Side-effects include nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, and constipation.
"Amount of weight loss is greater than that seen with any licensed anti-obesity drug." - Stephen O'Rahilly, Physician-scientist.
"...any medication or change in lifestyle can bring potential risks and side-effects." - Duane Mellor, dietician.
Study by UCL published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
