Children who used the weight loss drug liraglutide in a late-stage trial lost significantly more weight than children who got a placebo, according to a new study.

Researchers found that patients with obesity had an average weight loss of 12.9% with semaglutide vs 5.6% with liraglutide after 1 year.

The weight-loss drug liraglutide (Saxenda) helped obese children lower their BMI and reach a healthier weight, researchers report.

Among patients receiving persistent medication at one year, 61% of patients prescribed semaglutide for obesity achieved at least 10% weight reduction as compared to 23.1% among those prescribed semaglutide for T2D, 28.6% liraglutide for obesity, and 12.3% liraglutide for T2D groups.

Novo Nordisk asked US regulators to approve the drug for children ages 6 to 11. In the EU, it's available for adolescents as young as 12.

By JONEL ALECCIA A drug approved to treat obesity in adults and teens is safe and effective for use in kids as young as 6 when combined with diet and exercise, a small new study shows. Liraglutide

Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election The maker of a weight loss drug has asked regulators to allow them to expand the use of the medication down to the age of six.