This study highlights a potential link between the diabetes drug dulaglutide (Trulicity) and its impact on significant weight gain in women after smoking cessation. Dulaglutide mimics the effects of the hormone GLP-1, aiding in glucose regulation and weight management.
The data suggests that women quitting smoking may be more prone to substantial weight gain compared to men, and the drug dulaglutide could potentially mitigate this risk. Women are also reported to have higher smoking relapse rates, possibly due to concerns about weight gain, although concrete evidence for this has been lacking.
The study’s findings propose that dulaglutide could be beneficial for patients, especially women, who face a higher risk of weight gain after quitting smoking. Additionally, individuals, regardless of gender, who struggle with multiple failed smoking cessation attempts due to weight gain could benefit from this treatment.
Previously published research demonstrated dulaglutide’s ability to reduce weight gain after smoking cessation compared to a placebo. However, this current analysis aimed to discern whether these effects were specific to gender.
The study involved 255 adults, primarily women, who were randomly assigned dulaglutide or a placebo alongside smoking cessation drugs and behavioral counseling. Results showed that women on dulaglutide lost weight, while those on the placebo gained weight after 12 weeks. Men on dulaglutide showed a modest weight loss, while those on the placebo experienced weight gain.
Interestingly, while dulaglutide seemed to positively impact weight in both genders, it did not influence short-term quit rates significantly, as these rates were relatively high in both men and women.
However, the researchers cautioned that the risk of weight gain after quitting smoking may vary over time or due to other factors such as nicotine dependence or age, emphasizing the complexity of this relationship.
These findings provide promising insights into potential interventions for managing weight gain after quitting smoking, particularly in women, but further research is necessary to fully understand the long-term implications and nuances of this association.