Ozempic’s Potential Extends Beyond Diabetes: New Study Highlights Kidney Health Benefits
As the number of prescriptions for Ozempic, a medication known for its appetite-suppressing properties, continues to grow globally, scientists are uncovering its benefits and drawbacks in real time. Originally developed as a treatment for diabetes, Ozempic is now showing promise in improving heart health and potentially enhancing renal function, even in patients who do not experience significant weight loss.
A large multinational trial, funded by Novo Nordisk, the pharmaceutical company behind Ozempic, has revealed that the drug may benefit kidney health when administered at lower doses than typically used for diabetes or weight reduction. This study included more than 3,500 participants with type 2 diabetes and chronic renal disease—a combination that significantly increases the risk of kidney failure and serious cardiovascular events such as heart attacks. The participants were from 28 different countries, adding to the robustness of the findings.
In the trial, conducted between June 2019 and May 2021, participants were randomly assigned to receive either a weekly modest dose of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, or a placebo. The results were promising: those who received the weekly injections of semaglutide experienced a slower decline in kidney function compared to the placebo group. They also had a lower risk of renal failure, reduced systolic blood pressure, and lower body weight.
Over a period of 3.4 years, participants taking Ozempic had a 24 percent reduced risk of major renal events, an 18 percent lower risk of heart attack or other major cardiovascular events, and a 20 percent reduced risk of death from any cause. These findings suggest that Ozempic could play a significant role in managing kidney health.
Initial research, supported by both commercial and non-commercial funding, indicates that Ozempic may improve kidney function, which is crucial for waste and fluid elimination and blood pressure regulation. The drug’s indirect effects—such as lowering blood pressure, body weight, and blood glucose levels—also contribute to reducing the strain on the kidneys.
However, these findings are still in the hypothesis stage. More research is needed to fully understand how semaglutide and similar medications affect various organs in the body. Researchers are currently investigating whether this class of drugs is beneficial for chronic kidney disease in general or specifically for diabetic kidney disease patients.
As the medical community continues to explore the full range of Ozempic’s effects, its potential to benefit kidney health represents a significant step forward in treating conditions that have long posed challenges for patients and healthcare providers alike.
