Researchers suggest that patients with severe kidney problems should use weight loss and diabetes medications.
According to a major study, companies such as Wegovy and Ozempic could reduce the risk of kidney deterioration and failure by a fifth.
Experts said the findings add to growing evidence that the drugs should be used for conditions other than diabetes and obesity.
Known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, the new class of drugs mimics 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 satiety and reducing hunger after initially being created to treat diabetes.
The researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 11 large-scale clinical trials involving 85,373 people. Some 67,769 of them had type 2 diabetes and 17,604 were overweight or obese and had cardiovascular disease but without diabetes.
Researchers suggest patients with severe kidney problems should use weight loss and diabetes medications (file image)
Companies like Wegovy and Ozempic could reduce the risk of kidney deterioration and failure by a fifth, according to a major study (file image)
Seven different GLP-1 receptor agonists were investigated in the trials, including semaglutide, known under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy, dulaglutide (Trulicity), and liraglutide (Victoza).
The results showed they reduced the risk of kidney failure by 16 percent and worsening kidney function by 22 percent compared with a placebo, according to findings published in Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology.
The analysis also confirmed earlier findings that the drugs protect heart health, with a 14 percent reduction in the risk of cardiovascular death, non-fatal heart attack and non-fatal stroke.
Death from any cause was 13 percent lower among patients treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists.
Professor Vlado Perkovic, from 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 an important impact on clinical guidelines for the treatment of chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease in people with and without diabetes.
“Further work is now needed to implement the results of this study into clinical practice and improve access to GLP-1 receptor agonists for people who will benefit from them.”