Semaglutide for Low Back Pain
NCT07731256 · Not yet recruiting
Last updated 2026-08-27This clinical trial is testing whether the medication semaglutide, typically used for diabetes or weight loss, can help reduce chronic lower back pain in adults who are obese.
What this study is testing ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07731256 ↗
Description as written by the study sponsor.
Low back pain is the leading cause of disability in the United States, and obesity is a major risk factor for its development. GLP-1 receptor agonists such as Semaglutide have emerged as effective weight loss agents that may also reduce chronic pain through weight reduction and other mechanisms. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial will enroll 250 adults with chronic low back pain and obesity, randomized 1:1 to weekly Semaglutide 2.4 mg or placebo for 52 weeks. The primary outcome is change in low back pain severity, with secondary outcomes including pain-related disability and quality of life.
Treatments tested
- Semaglutide (administered by PDS290 pen-injector) Drug
Semaglutide 3.0 mg/mL solution for subcutaneous injection, administered using a 3 mL PDS290 pen-injector. Administered subcutaneously once weekly on the same day each week, without regard to meals. Dose escalation: 0.24 mg weekly for 28 days, then increased to 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, 1.7 mg, and 2.4 mg every 4 weeks to reach the maintenance dose of 2.4 mg. The pen uses a drum scale of 1-80 (in increments of 1); corresponding dose counter values are: 0.24 mg = 8, 0.5 mg = 17, 1.0 mg = 34, 1.7 mg = 57, 2.4 mg = 80. Treatment duration is 52 weeks.
- Placebo (administered by PDS290 pen-injector) Drug
Matching placebo solution for subcutaneous injection, administered using a 3 mL PDS290 pen-injector. Administered subcutaneously once weekly on the same day each week, without regard to meals, following the same escalating dose counter schedule as the active comparator (counter values: 8, 17, 34, 57, 80 every 4 weeks). Treatment duration is 52 weeks.
| Main thing measured | BPI-SF Pain Severity Scale |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Washington University School of Medicine |
| Conditions studied | Lower Back Pain, Obesity (BMI>30), Chronic Lower Back Pain, glp1 Agonist |
| GLP-1 drugs | semaglutide |
Full protocol, eligibility, and contacts on ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07731256 ↗