FDA Approves Ozempic to Reduce Kidney Disease Risks in Type 2 Diabetes Patients

The drug is now the first GLP-1 treatment approved to slow kidney disease progression and lower cardiovascular death risk in this population.

Ozempic, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, has received FDA approval to reduce the risk of kidney disease progression, kidney failure, and cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD).
The approval follows a pivotal clinical trial showing a 24% reduction in the risk of kidney disease worsening, kidney failure, and death from cardiovascular causes over three years compared to a placebo.
This new indication makes Ozempic the most broadly approved GLP-1 drug for managing diabetes, kidney disease, and cardiovascular risks, according to its manufacturer Novo Nordisk.
CKD affects approximately 35.5 million U.S. adults, and its prevalence is expected to rise due to aging populations and increasing rates of diabetes.
Ozempic, first approved in 2017 for type 2 diabetes management, is administered weekly via injection and has also gained popularity for its weight-loss benefits.