A groundbreaking study from the University of Queensland has confirmed that semaglutide—a drug widely used for diabetes and weight loss—is both safe and highly effective for individuals living with schizophrenia, without worsening their psychotic symptoms.
Led by Professor Dan Siskind, a psychiatrist and researcher at UQ and Metro South Addiction and Mental Health Services in Brisbane, the 36-week clinical trial demonstrated that patients treated with semaglutide lost nearly 14% of their body weight. In contrast, participants receiving a placebo showed no comparable weight reduction.
A Life-Changing Breakthrough
“This is a world-first study providing robust evidence that semaglutide can be used safely for weight loss in people with schizophrenia,” Professor Siskind said. “Importantly, it does not interfere with mental health stability or the effectiveness of antipsychotic medications.”
Many individuals with schizophrenia experience significant weight gain as a side effect of antipsychotic treatments—particularly clozapine—often leading them to discontinue their medication. This issue has contributed to a 16-year gap in life expectancy between people with schizophrenia and the general population, primarily due to obesity-related illnesses.
Improving Health and Treatment Adherence
“Antipsychotic medications are associated with high weight gain, which negatively impacts quality of life, reduces life expectancy, and lowers medication adherence,” Professor Siskind explained.
In addition to weight loss, the study also noted an improvement in the lean mass-to-fat mass ratio among semaglutide users, suggesting that fat loss occurred without significant muscle loss. Crucially, there were no signs of drug interactions or deterioration in psychotic symptoms.
“Before this trial, we were unsure whether semaglutide would interact with psychiatric medications or affect mental health stability,” Siskind said. “Our results provide reassurance that it does not increase psychosis risk or require medication adjustments.”
Call for Broader Access
Despite its proven benefits, semaglutide is not currently subsidised under Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for weight loss purposes. This remains a major barrier for many patients.
“People with schizophrenia urgently need access to effective treatments for obesity, such as semaglutide,” Professor Siskind said. “We are strongly advocating for PBS listing so that this life-improving treatment becomes accessible to the people who need it most.”
He noted that some patients have already started using semaglutide for weight loss with support from their families, especially those on clozapine who face significant challenges in managing weight.
Independent Research
The trial was investigator-led and received no funding or involvement from pharmaceutical companies, underscoring the independence and objectivity of the findings.
Professor Siskind and his team believe these results should influence future clinical guidelines for managing weight in patients with schizophrenia, offering new hope for improved physical health and treatment adherence in this vulnerable population.
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