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A multicenter collaboration of Danish researchers reports that semaglutide once a week for 30 weeks has lowered blood sugar and body weight and better quality of physical life in adults treated with antipsychotics with schizophrenia and prediabetes.
Cardiometabolic diseases reduce life expectancy in schizophrenia, with risk of life and obstacles to physical care adding to the burden. Second generation antipsychotics can speed up weight gain and alter glucose tolerance.
Previous tests of agonists of GLP-1 receptors in psychiatric populations have tested shorter or different agents’ courses and have left a need for options that deal with blood sugar and weight while preserving psychiatric stability.
In the study, “Treatment of semaglutide of patients treated with antipsychotics with schizophrenia, prediabetes and obesity: the historical randomized clinical trial”, published in Jam psychiatryThe researchers conducted a randomized double -blind clinical trial controlled by placebo to test whether the semaglutide improves glycemic control, weight and quality of life in this population.
Registration included 154 adults aged 18 to 60 receiving second generation antipsychotics in two Danish regions, with 141 finishing 30 weeks. A randomization calendar was provided by the drug manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, as well as the semaglutide and a placebo.
The intervention used a subcutaneous semaglutide once a week or a placebo for 30 weeks with an eight-week titration at 1.0 mg or a highest tolerated dose.
The visits and evaluations took place mainly in the houses of the participants. The main result was the change in blood sugar (HBA1C). The secondary results included body weight, fasting glucose, lipid measurements and symptoms of schizophrenia based on the positive and negative scale of syndrome-6 (PanSS-6) and the scores of physical and mental components SF-36V2.
The results showed a reduction in HBA1C of 0.46% of total hemoglobin compared to placebo at week 30, with a significant effect visible in week 15 and was maintained by the final evaluation on the treatment at week 30.
The body weight dropped 9.21 kg compared to placebo to week 30. HBA1C less than 5.7% occurred in 81% on semaglutide against 19% on placebo. HDL increased by 10.81 mg / DL and triglycerides decreased by 29.20 mg / dl.
An inconsistent meaning in the decrease in triglycerides introduces a red flag which must be explained by the authors of the study.
The study reports data as a decrease of -29.20 mg / dl (95%CI, -55.75 to 2.65; p = 0.03), which cannot be correct as CI which crosses 0 should not have value p below 0.05. This is probably a sign error (-2.65 against the +2.65 printed), although it appears in several places from the study as well as several inversions of orders at the upper and lower limit.
The quality of physical life has improved by 3.75 points. The quality of mental life and the Pansts-6 scores have shown no significant difference between groups. Gastrointestinal symptoms have appeared more often with semaglutide at the start of treatment and improved over time. The serious side effects did not differ between the groups.
The authors conclude that the semaglutide at 1.0 mg each week for 30 weeks has been sure in this cohort, blood sugar and improved weight, and improved physical well-being without psychiatric deterioration.
The results suggest candidate therapy for patients treated with SGA with schizophrenia, prediabetes and obesity, the authors noting that the potential for weight loss and type 2 diabetes can justify the cost of treatment.
Written for you by our author Justin Jackson, edited by Sadie Harley, and verified and revised by Robert Egan – This article is the result of meticulous human work. We are counting on readers like you to keep independent scientific journalism alive. If this report matters to you, please consider a donation (especially monthly). You will get a without advertising count as a thank you.
More information:
Ashok A. Ganeshalingam et al, treatment of semaglutide of patients treated with antipsychotics with schizophrenia, prediabetes and obesity, Jam psychiatry (2025). DOI: 10.1001 / Jamapsychiatry.2025.2332
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Quote: Patients treated with antipsychotics with schizophrenia see the advantages of the semaglutide, study affirmations (2025, September 17) recovered on September 18, 2025 from
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