Scientists investigate ways to reduce side effects of popular obesity drug
A new £1.2 million research project is underway to refine the benefits of weight-loss drugs while minimising their side effects. Led by experts at University College London (UCL) and the Rowett Institute at the University of Aberdeen, the study aims to improve the effectiveness of medications like semaglutide, widely known by its brand names Wegovy and Ozempic.
Semaglutide, originally developed to treat diabetes, has gained global recognition for its ability to aid weight loss by reducing food intake via brain mechanisms. However, its success is sometimes limited by side effects such as nausea and vomiting, which can discourage patients from continuing treatment.
Now, a team led by Professor Lora Heisler (Rowett Institute) and Professor Stefan Trapp (UCL Biosciences), with funding from the Medical Research Council, is working to map out how semaglutide interacts with the brain.
Their research will examine how the drug influences key aspects of eating behaviour, including meal size, healthier food choices, digestion speed, and the brain’s reward response to food. Importantly, they will also identify the brain pathways responsible for unwanted side effects.
Professor Trapp explained: “While semaglutide and similar drugs have been highly effective in supporting weight loss and diabetes management, we still have much to learn about how they function in the brain. By pinpointing the exact mechanisms at play, we hope to pave the way for next-generation weight-loss treatments that are just as effective but better tolerated.”
Professor Heisler added: “With the latest scientific advances, we now have the tools to study these drugs in much greater detail. This research will help us develop more targeted obesity treatments that provide lasting benefits without the burden of nausea and other side effects.”
The study is expected to provide a blueprint for improving existing obesity medications and guiding the development of new, more refined treatments in the years ahead.