Ozempic for Chronic Kidney Disease: How Semaglutide Can Benefit Kidney Health

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a serious complication of Type 2 diabetes, affecting up to 40% of people with the condition. Over time, high blood glucose (sugar) levels can damage blood vessels in the kidneys, leading to a gradual decline in kidney function.

In January 2025, the FDA approved Ozempic (semaglutide) for kidney protection benefits in people with Type 2 diabetes and CKD. Semaglutide — already known for its weight-loss and heart-health benefits — is the first in its class to receive approval for both cardiovascular and kidney protection in this high-risk population.

This latest approval adds to the growing list of reasons why healthcare professionals may recommend Ozempic for Type 2 diabetes over other options. But who stands to gain the most from this medication? Here’s what you need to know about Ozempic for chronic kidney disease.

What is Ozempic?

Ozempic is a once-weekly injection that belongs to the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist class. It was originally approved to help manage blood glucose levels in adults with Type 2 diabetes. The active ingredient, semaglutide, is also available in a higher-dose version called Wegovy, which is approved for weight loss.

Later, the FDA expanded Ozempic’s approval to include lowering the risk of serious cardiovascular problems (like heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death) in people with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

But in addition to its heart-health benefits, growing research has also shown Ozempic’s potential for kidney protection. This latest FDA approval confirms Ozempic’s role in providing kidney benefits.

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Can Ozempic help with chronic kidney disease?

Yes, studies have shown that Ozempic can protect the kidneys in people with CKD and Type 2 diabetes. And there’s some evidence that semaglutide’s kidney benefits may extend to certain people without diabetes, too.

Results from the FLOW clinical trial were used to support Ozempic’s approval for kidney-related benefits. The trial found that Ozempic lowered the risk of major kidney disease-related events by 24%. This means that people receiving Ozempic were less likely to experience at least one of the following:

• Loss of 50% or more of their kidney function

• Kidney failure

• Dialysis

• Kidney transplant

• Death from kidney disease

• Death from cardiovascular disease

People with CKD have a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death. During the trial, people receiving Ozempic also had a lower risk of having at least one of these events, and a lower risk of death from any cause.

The results of the FLOW trial were so significant that it ended early to avoid disadvantaging participants who were receiving a placebo instead of Ozempic.

Potential kidney benefits for other groups

Other research suggests that semaglutide may also benefit kidney health in other groups of people, and not just in people with diabetes. Here’s what the findings have shown:

• People with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease: Participants taking Ozempic had lower rates of new or worsening kidney disease.

• People with Type 2 diabetes and a high BMI: Those taking Wegovy had improvements in albuminuria (protein leaking), a key marker of damaged kidneys. 

• People with heart disease and high BMI without diabetes: In the Wegovy group, people had a lower rate of kidney disease-related events, a slower decline in kidney function, and improvements in albuminuria.

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• How they compare: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists are a large and growing class of medications. Learn more about how GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic, Trulicity, and Saxenda compare.

Limitations

The clinical trial data on semaglutide’s kidney benefits are promising. But high-risk populations that could significantly benefit from treatment have been underrepresented in the research.

For example, most participants in these semaglutide trials were white. There was limited representation from other racial and ethnic groups disproportionately affected by Type 2 diabetes and CKD, such as Black populations. Plus, many of these trials had mostly male participants.

Future studies should aim for greater diversity to confirm whether Ozempic’s benefits apply to all populations.

How does Ozempic protect the kidneys?

Ozempic protects the kidneys by lowering blood glucose levels and excess body weight — both of which can contribute to kidney disease. It works in a few different ways to have these effects:

• Telling the pancreas to release insulin after you eat

• Slowing the movement of food out of the stomach

• Reducing glucose production in the liver

• Working on areas of the brain that regulate your appetite and fullness

But researchers think that semaglutide’s kidney benefits may go beyond these effects alone. Other possible contributing factors may include:

• Lowering inflammation in the kidneys and blood vessels

• Improving blood flow to the kidneys

• Reducing the buildup of scar tissue in the kidneys

• Lowering blood pressure

• Removing excess sodium through the urine

Who could benefit from Ozempic for kidney health?

With its new FDA approval, Ozempic now has proven benefits for adults with both Type 2 diabetes and CKD. People in this group are at high risk for worsening kidney disease and serious cardiovascular events, making Ozempic a powerful tool for improving outcomes.

Even for people without CKD, Ozempic can help manage key risk factors for kidney health, such as high blood glucose and excess body weight. If you’re living with Type 2 diabetes, talk to your healthcare team about whether Ozempic could be a good addition to your treatment plan.

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Written by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

Reviewed by:

Sophie Vergnaud, MD

Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. An experienced and dedicated pulmonologist and hospitalist, she spent a decade practicing and teaching clinical medicine at academic hospitals throughout London before transitioning to a career in health education and health technology.

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