Objective This prospective observational study explored the changes in the daily glycemic profile after switching from injectable to oral semaglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were treated with once-weekly 0.5 mg injectable semaglutide and wished to switch to once-daily oral semaglutide participated in this study. Oral semaglutide was initiated at 3 mg and increased to 7 mg a month later, according to the package insert. Before and two months after the switch, participants wore a sensor for continuous glucose monitoring for up to 14 days. We also evaluated the questionnaire-based treatment satisfaction and the preference between the two formulations. Patients Twenty-three patients participated. Results Mean glucose levels significantly increased by 9 mg/dL on average, from 132±20 to 141±27 mg/dL (p=0.047), which was equivalent to a change of 0.2% in the estimated hemoglobin A1c (6.5±0.5% to 6.7±0.7%). The inter-individual variability assessed with standard deviation also significantly increased (p=0.004). The change in treatment satisfaction varied considerably among patients, with no specific trend in the overall population. After trying oral semaglutide, 48% of patients responded that they preferred the oral formulation, while 35% preferred the injectable formulation, and 17% had no preference. Conclusion The mean glucose levels increased by 9 mg/dL on average after switching from once-weekly 0.5 mg injectable semaglutide to once-daily 7 mg oral semaglutide, with an increased inter-individual variability. The change in treatment satisfaction considerably varied among patients.
Keywords: continuous glucose monitoring; semaglutide; treatment satisfaction.