New study offers hope: a drug called dulaglutide (Trulicity) may significantly reduce weight gain after quitting smoking, particularly for women.
Quitting smoking is a monumental victory for health, but for women, weight gain looms large as a potential side effect. This fear can even deter attempts at quitting, creating a vicious cycle. However, a new study shines a light on a potential ally in this fight: the diabetes medication dulaglutide (Trulicity).
The research reveals a stark gender disparity in post-quitting weight gain. Women are five times more likely than men to pack on extra pounds after tossing their last cigarette. This vulnerability could explain why women often face higher smoking relapse rates than men.
While previous studies hinted at dulaglutide’s potential to mitigate weight gain in smokers, the question of gender-specific benefits remained unanswered. This new analysis delves into data from a past trial involving 255 smokers, half of them women.
Both men and women receiving weekly dulaglutide injections saw a clear difference compared to those given dummy injections. Women on the medication shed an average of 1-2 kilograms, a welcome contrast to the 2-2.5 kilogram gain experienced by their counterparts on dummy injections. Even men on dulaglutide saw a modest weight loss compared to the gain observed in the placebo group.
But the real triumph lies in dulaglutide’s impact on substantial weight gain, defined as exceeding 6%. This particular outcome was nearly five times as common among women on dummy injections compared to men (24% vs 5%). Conversely, only 1% of women on dulaglutide crossed this threshold, a striking reduction compared to the 24% in the placebo group. Notably, this effect wasn’t observed in men on either treatment.
Despite the positive effect on weight, dulaglutide didn’t influence quit rates, which remained high in both groups (around 63%). This suggests that while the medication helps manage weight gain, it doesn’t directly influence the initial decision to quit.
The researchers acknowledge that the risk of post-quitting weight gain can vary depending on individual factors like nicotine dependence and age. However, they emphasize the potential of dulaglutide as a valuable tool in the quit-smoking arsenal, particularly for women at high risk of substantial weight gain.
This research paints a hopeful picture for women who yearn to break free from cigarettes but fear the weight-related consequences. Dulaglutide, alongside traditional smoking cessation strategies, could become a crucial weapon in their quest for a smoke-free and weight-stable future.
Key Points
- Women are 5 times more likely than men to gain significant weight after quitting. This could be one reason why women have higher smoking relapse rates.
- A study found that dulaglutide, a diabetes drug, helped people lose weight after quitting smoking. Women taking dulaglutide lost 1-2 pounds compared to gaining 2-2.5 pounds for women in the placebo group. Men also benefited, losing 0.5 pounds compared to gaining 2 pounds in the placebo group.
- Dulaglutide significantly reduced the risk of substantial weight gain (defined as over 6%) in women. It was almost 5 times less common in women taking dulaglutide compared to those on the placebo.
- Interestingly, dulaglutide didn’t affect quit rates in either men or women. Both groups had high success rates, around 63% for women and 65% for men.
- Dulaglutide could be a valuable tool for smokers, especially women and people who have struggled to quit due to weight gain concerns.
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