Extended-release naltrexone/bupropion is safe and effective among subjects with type 2 diabetes already taking incretin agents: a post-hoc analysis of the LIGHT trial

BACKGROUND: Extended-release naltrexone/bupropion (NB) is indicated for chronic weight management. Incretin agents are recommended for patients with type 2 diabetes. This analysis looked at the add-on of NB to incretins to see if weight loss could occur in patients already stabilized on incretin agents. METHODS: This was a post-hoc analysis of NB vs. placebo (PL) among subjects with type 2 diabetes stable on an incretin agent prior to randomization in a double-blind, PL-controlled cardiovascular outcome trial (N = 1317). RESULTS: Over 1 year, mean weight loss was significantly greater among NB patients vs. PL among those taking DPP-4i (mean absolute difference 4.6% [p < 0.0001]) and those taking GLP-1RAs (mean absolute difference 5.2%, p < 0.0001). Proportions of subjects achieving 5% weight loss were significantly greater for NB vs. PL at weeks 26 and 52 among those taking DPP-4is or GLP-1RAs. There were no significant differences in effectiveness observed between NB + DPP-4i and NB + GLP-1RA or between PL + DPP-4i and PL + GLP-1RA in any of the analyses. Serious adverse events were reported by 9.1% and 11.1% for PL + DPP-4i and PL + GLP-1RA, respectively, and 13.3% and 12.4% of NB + DPP-4i and NB + GLP-1RA, respectively. CONCLUSION: NB appears to be effective in reducing weight in patients with T2DM and obesity/overweight who are taking DPP-4ihibitors or GLP-1RA. The SAE rates in all arms of this analysis were lower than have been reported in other cardiovascular outcome trials in type 2 diabetes.