(CNN) A once-a-week injected diabetes drug helped overweight and obese people lose an average of 15% of their body weight over 16 months, researchers reported Wednesday. The maker of the drug, called semaglutide, has asked the US Food and Drug Administration to approve it for chronic weight management. If approved, it would be only the fifth prescription weight loss drug on the US market. Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor, or GLP-1 agonist -- a drug that increases the production of insulin. A third got placebo plus dietary counseling and exercise coaching, while two-thirds got the drug with the same diet and exercise plan.

Source: The Nation February 10, 2021 22:18 UTC