How diabetes drug could prevent obese people from getting gastric bypass surgery

People who are obese could get help from a type 2 diabetes drug instead of from needing gastric bypass surgery, a new study has found.

Liraglutide, which controls hunger, Mayo Clinic researchers found helped people lose 12lbs over a period of three months, according to a report by the Daily Mail. The drug causes the stomach from emptying at a slower pace. This helps make one feel fuller for longer.

For the study, 40 participants, who had a healthy BMI, were divided into two groups - placebo or given liraglutide for five weeks everyday. Follow-up examination revealed those given sugar pills lost 6.6lbs, while those given liraglutide on average lost 12lbs.

"Liraglutide appears to be very effective in inducing weight loss over three months of treatment," Dr Michael Camilleri told the Daily Mail. Adding "We also found that liraglutide dramatically slowed stomach emptying."

Experts believe the drug could help people overweight to get on the right track and avoid needing to get expensive weight loss surgery for the sake of their health.

"Medications are often prescribed in patients with obesity for at least six months,' Dr Camilleri told the Daily Mail. "Making this determination after the first month has the potential to determine whether to continue the treatment or to stop relatively expensive treatment and move on to alternative approved therapy in accordance with guidelines," he explained.

The study was originally published in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology.