FILE – Injectable Ozempic opens in Houston on Saturday, July 1, 2023. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Thursday, January 11, 2024, that a preliminary study of the side effects of common drugs used to treat diabetes and obesity shows no link to suicidal thoughts or behavior. . However, authorities said they could not definitively rule out that possibility. “There may be a small risk,” it said, adding it would continue to investigate reports of more than a dozen drugs, including Ozempic, Wigoby and Maunjaro. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
(news nation) — Novo Nordisk’s widely used diabetes drug Ozempic slowed the progression of chronic kidney disease in diabetics. Late study It was found to reduce the risk of death from renal and cardiovascular complications by 24% compared to placebo.
The results show that common injectable and weight-loss drugs that suppress appetite by mimicking gut hormones may have health benefits for patients beyond type 2 diabetes and weight loss.
According to Novo Nordisk, approximately 40% of people with type 2 diabetes have chronic kidney disease, affecting approximately 700 million people worldwide.
Following the positive results, Novo ended the trial in October, nearly a year ahead of schedule.
“This study demonstrated a statistically significant and superior progression of kidney disease and a 24% reduction in cardiovascular and renal death in patients treated with semaglutide 1.0 mg compared to placebo, with primary endpoints ,” Novo said in a statement Tuesday.
The trial, called FLOW, began in 2019 and enrolled approximately 3,500 patients with type 2 diabetes and moderate to severe chronic kidney disease.
Novo Nordisk said it will publish full data from the study later this year. The company also said it plans to apply for expanded approval of Ozempic based on U.S. and European data.
Novo is not alone in testing diabetes treatments in the GLP-1 drug class for additional medical benefits. Rival Eli Lilly is currently enrolling patients for planned treatments. trial Whether the drug, tirzepatide, can help fight chronic kidney disease in obese people with and without type 2 diabetes.
Reuters contributed to this article.
