Tripling semaglutide doses increases both weight loss and the risk of dysaesthesia and gastrointestinal issues, according to two studies published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology.

The studies, funded by semaglutide maker Novo Nordisk and covering about 2000 participants in total, compared weekly 7.2mg doses with standard 2.4mg doses over 72 weeks.

Average body weight reduction was 18.7% in participants without type 2 diabetes taking the 7.2mg dose, compared with 15.6% and 3.9% in patients without diabetes taking 2.4mg and placebo, respectively.

For those with diabetes, average weight reduction was 13.2% with 7.2mg, 10.4% with 2.4mg and 3.9% with placebo.