Drugs like Ozempic are improving kidney treatment and changing lives

"Until recently, just one class of drugs—called renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors—had been shown to slow progression of the illness, and even those medications were only modestly effective. For decades researchers have been investigating whether other types of medications can treat the ailment."

"Medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists—including the blockbuster drug Ozempic—were first developed for type 2 diabetes and have since gained prominence for treating obesity and cardiovascular disease. These drugs also have begun to revolutionize treatment for chronic kidney disease."

"A drug called finerenone, part of a drug class called mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), and another group of medications, inhibitors of a protein called SGLT2, also have shown success in preserving kidney function. Despite their similarities, however, each of these drug groups works differently."

"Today kidney specialists believe it's possible that combined treatment with all three types, together with RAS inhibitors, could add decades to the lives of people with chronic kidney disease."

Chronic kidney disease affects more than one in seven Americans and was the ninth-leading cause of death worldwide in 2023. For decades, only renin-angiotensin system inhibitors provided modest slowing of disease progression. Recent advances have introduced three new drug classes showing significant promise: GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic, originally developed for diabetes and obesity; finerenone, a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist; and SGLT2 inhibitors. Each works through different mechanisms to preserve kidney function. Kidney specialists now believe combining all three drug classes with traditional RAS inhibitors could substantially extend lifespans for chronic kidney disease patients, particularly those with comorbid conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity.

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