Weekly injections of semaglutide typically helped people with obesity drop more than 12% of their body weight over 68 weeks, according to a study that combined the diabetes drug with lifestyle intervention.

Senior author Dr Robert Kushner said the treatment, given at a higher dose than usually given to those with diabetes resulted in 70% of participants reaching a weight loss of at least 10% of their baseline weight.

“The fact that 50% of participants were able to lose at least 15% of initial body weight, and one-third lost at least 20% body weight is a game changer,” said Dr Kushner.

“Semaglutide 2.4mg is by far the most effective drug intervention we have seen for weight management.”