New diabetes drug may also help patients lose weight

According to the London-based medical journal "The Lancet," a new injected medication called liraglutide, used to treat type2 diabetes, may also help patients lose weight.

In the new study conducted by researchers in Denmark, 564 obese people were given one of four liraglutide doses, a placebo and the weight-loss drug orlistat. After 20 weeks, those on the highest dose of liraglutide lost 15 pounds, those on the placebo lost six pounds, and those on orlistat lost nine pounds, reports the Los Angels Times. All the four liraglutide doses reduced blood pressure and the three highest doses also reduced symptoms of pre-diabetes -- blood glucose levels. Liraglutide may cause side effects such as nausea and vomiting, according to researchers. Produced by Denmark-based pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, liraglutide is now under review by the Food and Drug Administration in the U.S. for diabetes treatment. It was approved earlier this year in Europe and is marketed under the brand name Victoza.