A NUMBER obese patients in Taunton lost a fifth of their body weight in trials of a potential wonder drug.

During the 15-month scheme run by Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, based at Musgrove Park Hospital, people on weekly semaglutide injections lost an average 15kg.

The drug suppresses appetite by mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which is normally released after eating and affects appetite by reducing hunger levels.

Increased levels of GLP-1 are seen in patients who have undergone weight loss surgery such as a gastric by-pass.

The trial saw Somerset FT recruit 26 patients, some of who were given semaglutide, while others received a dummy injection.

Both groups had advice on diet and fitness, but, while those receiving the drug lost an average of 15kg, those on dummy injections lost 2.6kg.

Both groups were given lifestyle advice on diet and fitness.

Consultant endocrinologist and principal investigator for the study Dr Rhodri King said: “Somerset NHS Foundation Trust was one of only 10 centres in the UK invited to participate in this study.

“We recruited 26 out of the 218 UK patients and saw the fewest number of patients leave the trial mid-way through, thanks to the amazing work of our research nurses Irena Cruickshank and Claire Lorimer.

"The results of the trial were better than predicted, with weight loss seen in some patients similar to those undergoing bariatric surgery, making this a landmark trial in the medical treatment of patients that live with obesity.”

Ms Cruickshank said: “We were very pleased to be involved in this important study, as we know that people who are overweight or obese are far more likely to develop diseases such as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.

"By losing weight people are less likely to develop these types of diseases.

"The results of the trial will now be used to assess whether semaglutide could be used more widely to treat people who are overweight or living with obesity.”

Semaglutide will already be familiar to some people who use it as a treatment for type 2 diabetes, but this trial looked at giving it at higher doses and to patients without diabetes.