Weight loss and diabetes drugs could reduce the risk of kidney deterioration and failure, researchers suggest

Weight loss and diabetes drugs should be used by patients with serious kidney problems, researchers suggest.

The likes of Wegovy and Ozempic could reduce the risk of kidney deterioration and failure by a fifth, a major study found.

Experts said the findings add to growing evidence the drugs should be used for conditions other than diabetes and obesity.

Known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, the new class of medicine mimic the action of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide 1, which stimulates insulin production and lowers blood sugar levels.

They have emerged as effective treatments for obesity, slowing digestion, increasing feelings of fullness and reducing hunger after initially being created to treat diabetes.

Researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 11 large-scale clinical trials involving 85,373 people. Some 67,769 of these had type 2 diabetes and 17,604 who were overweight or obese with cardiovascular disease but without diabetes.

Seven different GLP-1 receptor agonists were investigated among the trials, including semaglutide, known under brand names Ozempic and Wegovy, dulaglutide (Trulicity) and liraglutide (Victoza).

The results showed they reduced the risk of kidney failure by 16 per cent and the worsening of kidney function by 22 per cent when compared with a placebo, according to the findings published in the Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology.

The likes of Wegovy and Ozempic could reduce the risk of kidney deterioration and failure by a fifth, a major study found (stock image)

The analysis also confirmed previous findings that the drugs protect heart health, with a 14per cent reduction in the risk of cardiovascular death, non-fatal heart attack, and non-fatal stroke.

Death by any cause was 13 per cent lower among patients treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists.

Professor Vlado Perkovic, at The George Institute, UNSW Sydney, said: ‘This research shows that GLP-1 receptor agonists could play an important role in addressing the global burden of non-communicable diseases.

‘Our study will have a major impact on clinical guidelines for the management of chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease in people with and without diabetes.

‘More work is now needed to implement the results of this study into clinical practice and improve access to GLP-1 receptor agonists to people who will benefit from them.’