A new study from Novo Nordisk shows promising results in the treatment of people with chronic kidney disease with the drug Ozempic. The results are so significant that it seems to be a step towards eradicating kidney disease. Peter Rossing, a senior physician at Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen and co-author of the study, describes the investigation as unusual due to its clear conclusions. “It is also the first time we see that this type of diabetes medication – GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic – protects kidney function,” he said in a press release. “We already know that Ozempic is effective in regulating blood sugar, promoting weight loss, and improving heart health. Having medications that can do so much is fantastic,” he added.
According to the Danish Health Authority (Statens Serum Institut), GLP-1 receptor agonists reduce blood sugar levels and create a feeling of fullness that inhibits appetite. The study was presented at the European Renal Association – European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ERA-EDTA) conference in Stockholm on Friday. The trial was halted in October last year when the results were so clear that it was not ethically justifiable to continue giving placebos to some participants. Ozempic is known for regulating blood sugar, promoting weight loss, and improving heart health. The new study now also shows that it has a protective effect on kidney function.