"A new analysis of the STEP trials suggests that semaglutide, the active ingredient in the popular weight loss and diabetes drugs Wegovy and Ozempic, remains both effective and generally safe for adults over age 65 with obesity. Researchers found that older adults taking the once weekly obesity medication experienced substantial weight loss and improvements in several important health measures, with results similar to those seen in the broader STEP clinical trial population."
"To better understand the drug's effects, investigators analyzed data from the STEP 1, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 9 trials. The analysis only included people with obesity or overweight who did not have diabetes because weight loss results in obesity drug trials are typically lower in people with diabetes, making direct comparisons difficult."
"Participants were aged ≥65 years and had a body mass index of at least 30 kg/m², or at least 27 kg/m² with at least 1 obesity-related complication (without diabetes). They were randomly assigned to receive either semaglutide 2.4 mg or a placebo. All participants also received lifestyle intervention, while those in STEP 3 additionally received intensive behavioral therapy."
"Older adults with obesity are often considered medically vulnerable because they frequently have multiple health conditions and greater frailty, which can increase the risk of adverse events (AEs). Researchers say there is still limited information about how glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists such as semaglutide perform in this age group."
Adults aged 65 and older with obesity received semaglutide 2.4 mg once weekly or placebo for 68 weeks, alongside lifestyle intervention. Data from STEP 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, and 9 trials were analyzed, focusing on participants without diabetes to enable clearer comparisons. Older adults experienced substantial weight loss with improvements across several important health measures. The results were similar to those seen in the broader STEP trial population. The medication was generally safe in this age group, despite concerns that older adults often have multiple conditions and greater frailty that can increase adverse event risk. The findings support semaglutide as an option for healthier aging in older adults with obesity.
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