Obese people who do not suffer from diabetes have been shedding extra pounds with the help of liraglutide, an injectable diabetes drug. However, researchers say larger studies need to be undertaken to prove it safe and effective for losing weight loss.

While, the diabetes drug has been given approval for treating type 2 diabetes in Europe, the US Food and Drug administration has yet to give it approval for use in USA.

Earlier studies on the drug show it to help diabetes patients given once-daily injections of the drug lose weight, including showing improved blood sugar levels.

A newly published study reports overweight diabetics receiving daily injections of liraglutide, lost more weight those taking oral weight loss drug orlistat, sold under the name of Xenical and Alli in the U. S.

Just like Byetta, a diabetes treatment that has also shown to promote weight loss, liraglutide too belongs to the same class of drugs.

While, researchers do not understand the precise mechanism of how the drug affects weight completely, it is believed the drugs suppress appetite, including delaying food movement from the stomach to the small intestine, helping people to feel full for a longer period of time after eating. The injected drug stimulates the release of insulin when glucose levels in the body become too high and also helps curb the appetite.

The 20-week weight loss study included 564-obese people treated at 19-sites throughout Europe, and whose body mass indexes (BMI) were found to range between 30 and 40.

Divided into three groups, those participating in the study either received daily one of four injection doses of liraglutide, or inactive placebo injections, or orlistat, the weight loss drug given orally thrice a day.

All those participating in the study had to follow a calorie-restricted diet reduced by 500-fewer calories a day to maintain their weight, including stepping up their physical activity.

By the time the study ended, those patients treated with liraglutide had lost significantly more weight than those on placebos or the oral weight loss drug.

During the 20-week study, orlistat helped patients lose an average of 9-lbs, in comparison with 10.5-lbs lost by patients on the lowest dose of liraglutide i. e 1.2-mgs. per day. Patients taking 3- mgs daily, the highest dose of liraglutide, lost the most weight i. e. an average of nearly 16-lbs, including suffering the most from nausea and vomiting. As a result of the side-effects of the drug,
3.5% of the participants withdrew from the study.

Placebo treated with patients lost the least amount of weight at about 6-lbs.

However, researchers say extended studies are required for determining the drug's long-term risk-benefit profile for treating weight loss.

FDA has still to give its approval to liraglutide for use as a treatment for diabetes in the U. S., with the decision expected by the end of the year.

The study published in Lancet today is encouraging, however, it is important to keep in mind this is only phase II data.