Semaglutide superior to dulaglutide, liraglutide for glycaemic control, weight loss in T2D

Treatment with semaglutide appears more effective than both dulaglutide and liraglutide for glycaemic control and weight loss in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), reports a China study. On the other hand, dulaglutide and liraglutide show similar clinical efficacy. 

Chinese adults with T2D who initiated GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy in endocrinology clinics between 1 January 2022 and 31 August 2024 were included in this multicentre, retrospective real-world study. Eligible participants received semaglutide 1.0 mg (n=111), dulaglutide 1.5 mg (n=74), or liraglutide 1.8 mg (n=107). 

The authors then compared the effectiveness of these agents on HbA1c and weight loss and assessed safety as a key exploratory endpoint. They projected long-term health outcomes using the UK Prospective Diabetes Study Outcomes Model 2.1. 

After 1:1 propensity score matching, semaglutide showed greater reduction in HbA1c than dulaglutide (‒0.27 percent; p=0.008) and liraglutide (‒0.39 percent; p<0.001), as well as achieved higher glycaemic target rates. The use of semaglutide also resulted in improved outcomes in all death, cardiovascular death, and other mortality endpoints. 

Notably, there were no significant differences noted in safety profiles across the three treatment groups. 

“Semaglutide demonstrated superior glycaemic control and weight loss compared with both dulaglutide and liraglutide, whereas dulaglutide and liraglutide exhibited comparable clinical efficacy,” the authors said.