European Medicines Agency official announcements

Semaglutide Reduces Heart Disease, Stroke, and Treats Kidney Disease, Alzheimer's

Dec 14, 2024, 05:00 PM

New research indicates that semaglutide, the active ingredient in popular weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, may have benefits extending beyond weight management. Studies suggest that semaglutide can reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and even curb addiction. The drug has shown a 20% reduction in cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in clinical trials. Moreover, semaglutide has been linked to improvements in conditions like diabetic macular edema, obstructive sleep apnea, metabolic liver dysfunction, and Alzheimer's disease. The European Medicines Agency has recently approved Ozempic for the treatment of chronic kidney disease, highlighting a 24% reduction in disease progression risk. However, while the drug's potential is vast, experts caution that not all patients will respond to the treatment, and further research is needed to understand its full range of effects and safety.