A study conducted by researchers at the University of Queensland has shown that diabetic weight loss medications, specifically semaglutide, can effectively help individuals with schizophrenia lose weight without negatively impacting their psychotic symptoms.
The 36-week trial, led by Professor Dan Siskind, found that semaglutide, the active ingredient in weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, was beneficial for people with schizophrenia who often experience significant weight gain due to antipsychotic medications. These medications, particularly clozapine, are linked to weight gain, which can lead some patients to discontinue their treatment.
According to Professor Siskind, this weight gain is a major contributor to the 16-year life expectancy gap between individuals with schizophrenia and the general population, with obesity-related illnesses playing a central role. The participants in the study who were treated with semaglutide lost nearly 14 percent of their body weight, in contrast to those who received a placebo.
“Antipsychotic medications are often associated with significant weight gain, which results in a lower quality of life, reduced life expectancy, and difficulties adhering to prescribed treatments,” said Professor Siskind.
The study, which was investigator-led with no involvement from pharmaceutical companies, also found that semaglutide did not interfere with psychotic symptoms or alter the dosage of antipsychotic medications, providing assurance that it does not worsen psychosis. Additionally, the ratio of lean mass to fat mass improved in the group receiving semaglutide, indicating a more significant loss of fat compared to non-fatty tissues like muscle.
Professor Siskind, who also works as a psychiatrist at Metro South Addiction and Mental Health Services in Brisbane, emphasized the importance of these findings, calling them world-first evidence of the safety and effectiveness of semaglutide for people with schizophrenia.
In Australia, semaglutide is not currently available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for weight loss. “There is an urgent need for individuals with schizophrenia to have access to effective treatments for obesity, such as semaglutide,” said Professor Siskind. “We will strongly advocate for its inclusion on the PBS to ensure that it is affordable for this population.”
Many patients with schizophrenia on clozapine are already using semaglutide for weight loss, supported by their families, though the medication remains out of reach for many due to its cost.
Related Topics
