Does Ozempic Impact Kidney Health?

Ozempic is the brand name of semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist drug. It is commonly used to manage type 2 diabetes and lower the risk of serious heart disease. It is also sometimes used for weight loss.

Recent research shows that semaglutide significantly reduces the risk of kidney disease and death in people with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD). More research suggests that this benefit can be seen in people without diabetes as well.

However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet approved Ozempic for CKD.

Does Ozempic Benefit Chronic Kidney Disease?

Ozempic controls blood sugar and reduces weight in people with type 2 diabetes. People with type 2 diabetes can develop chronic kidney disease (CKD) because of damage to blood vessels and filtering cells in the organ. 

Novo Nordisk conducted the FLOW trial to examine semaglutide’s effects on kidney function. It enrolled 3,500 people with diabetes and kidney disease and assessed the effectiveness of Ozempic in treating type 2 diabetes and CKD.

With Diabetes

Research shows that Ozempic may help protect kidney function in people with type 2 diabetes.

The study, which includes about 3,500 people, shows that semaglutide significantly reduces the risk of kidney failure and death for people with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. 

The results of the study showed that Ozempic reduced the risk of:

• Kidney disease events by 24%
• Mortality rate by 20%
• Cardiovascular events by 18%

Without Diabetes

Ozempic can also help improve kidney function in people without diabetes and reduce the risk of kidney-related complications in people with obesity or heart disease.

One study, which included almost 18,000 participants, showed that once-weekly semaglutide (2.4 milligrams) had a beneficial effect on kidney function in people with overweight and obesity who are at high risk of diabetes.

The results showed that semaglutide did the following:

Another study found that semaglutide reduced albuminuria (an indicator of kidney damage) and kidney disease progression in people with overweight or obesity with CKD.

Limitations of Research

Certain limitations regarding this research exist. For one, Ozempic is not FDA-approved for treating chronic kidney disease. Additionally, studies have not included populations at most risk of developing kidney disease.

More studies assessing diverse populations are needed to determine whether the trial’s findings will benefit a greater number of people with CKD.

How Does Ozempic Help Your Kidneys?

In addition to treating type 2 diabetes and obesity, Ozempic can help reduce cardiovascular risk and slow kidney function decline. Ozempic’s benefits for the kidneys may be due to improved glycemic (blood sugar) control.

Ozempic may also help the kidneys by:

• Reductig in blood pressure
• Reducing body weight
• Reducing albuminuria (too much albumin in the urine)
• Inhibiting of inflammatory chemicals
• Improving blood flow to the kidneys
• Removing excess sodium through the urine
• Slowing the degradation of the kidneys

Can Ozempic Hurt Your Kidneys?

People taking Ozempic have rarely reported kidney injury and worsening kidney function. It may cause serious complications in people with acute kidney injury (AKI), including the need for hemodialysis.

It’s unknown whether there are long-term implications for the AKI reported with GLP-1 receptor agonists.

AKI usually occurs in people with negative gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. In such people, healthcare providers should perform laboratory tests and stop the treatment if kidney function worsens. It is better to take precautionary measures in people with moderate to severe CKD.

GLP-1 receptor agonists can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, causing dehydration, and can contribute to kidney injury. Stay hydrated and consult your healthcare provider if you experience symptoms such as swelling or changes in urination.

Who Would Benefit Most?

In terms of kidney health, research shows that Ozempic can most benefit people with type 2 diabetes and CKD. Moreover, Ozempic has also been shown to potentially benefit those with and without type 2 diabetes who are at risk of CKD.

Semaglutide can manage other risk factors for CKD, including:

However, semaglutide is not currently approved to treat CKD.

Can Other Weight Loss Medications Affect the Kidneys?

Another GLP-1 receptor agonist called Saxenda (liraglutide) has also been studied for its effects on kidney health:

• One study suggested that liraglutide was associated with reduced progression of kidney disease in people with diabetes.
• In another study, once-daily liraglutide helped reduce eGFR decline, lowered albuminuria, and slowed kidney disease progression in people with type 2 diabetes.

Other weight loss medications other than Ozempic, such as Alli or Xenical (orlistat), may cause side effects that actually hurt the kidneys. They can increase the risk of oxalate nephropathy (a kidney disorder caused by oxalate crystal buildup) and kidney stones in people with CKD.

Summary

The research on Ozempic shows that it may help protect kidney function in people with obesity and heart disease risk factors. This effect may be seen in people with or without diabetes. It can also reduce the risk of hospitalization and death. 

However, Ozempic has not been approved by the FDA specifically for use in CKD. More research needs to be done in diverse populations to know the full benefit of Ozempic for this condition.