Health Canada Approves Ozempic for Kidney Health

Health Canada has recently authorized Ozempic to help lower the risk of worsening kidney function in individuals with Type 2 diabetes, marking a significant advancement in managing this chronic condition.

Approximately 30 to 50 percent of people with Type 2 diabetes are at risk of developing chronic kidney disease, a serious complication that can lead to significant health challenges. A global clinical trial named FLOW demonstrated that patients receiving Ozempic had a 24 percent lower risk of experiencing significant kidney deterioration or failure compared to those given a placebo injection.

Additionally, the trial revealed that Ozempic users were less likely to succumb to cardiovascular disease, a common issue among those with diabetes. The study, supported by Ozempic’s manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, was peer-reviewed and published in the New England Journal of Medicine, influencing Health Canada’s approval decision.

Dr. David Cherney, a nephrologist at Toronto General Hospital and a key figure in the Canadian arm of the FLOW trial, emphasized the drug’s potential to slow kidney function decline before patients require dialysis or a transplant. “My patients dread the prospect of dialysis or transplantation,” Cherney noted in an interview. “With Ozempic, we can meaningfully reduce that risk, alleviating their fears of severe complications, including cardiovascular issues.”

Dr. Ehud Ur, a Vancouver-based endocrinologist and professor at the University of British Columbia, who was not involved in the study, hailed the approval as “excellent news.” He highlighted that preventing kidney disease progression is a critical goal in managing Type 2 diabetes, and Ozempic provides a valuable tool for achieving this.

Ozempic, known generically as semaglutide, is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist administered via injection. Initially approved in Canada for controlling blood sugar in diabetes, it also suppresses appetite and is marketed at a higher dose as Wegovy for weight loss in obesity treatment. Health Canada’s approval on August 13 confirms Ozempic’s role in reducing the risk of sustained decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), end-stage kidney disease, and cardiovascular mortality in adults with Type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. The eGFR is a key indicator of kidney function, measuring how effectively kidneys filter waste and excess fluid.

Dr. Ur noted that Ozempic is the first GLP-1 drug in Canada approved for both kidney and heart protection in Type 2 diabetes patients, with its added benefit of promoting weight loss—a significant advantage for many with the condition. However, he cautioned that some patients may experience gastrointestinal side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea. More serious but rare complications include gallbladder inflammation or pancreatitis, though minor side effects are more common and generally manageable.

The FLOW trial, conducted across 28 countries including Canada, involved 3,533 participants with Type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either Ozempic or a placebo alongside their existing medications, such as those for blood pressure and blood sugar control. Over an average follow-up period of 3.4 years, researchers tracked major kidney disease events, including kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplantation, a 50 percent reduction in kidney function, or death from kidney-related or cardiovascular causes.

While controlling blood pressure and blood sugar benefits kidney health, Cherney suggested that Ozempic provides an additional protective effect, the mechanisms of which warrant further research. “Having another tool to combat kidney disease is incredibly impactful,” he said, noting the drug’s ability to address kidney, cardiovascular, metabolic, and weight-related issues simultaneously.

Dr. Ur speculated that Ozempic’s effectiveness might stem from its potential to reduce kidney inflammation, though the exact reasons remain under investigation. He stressed the importance of using Ozempic early in the disease process to minimize kidney damage, reinforcing the significance of Health Canada’s approval for improving patient outcomes.