FLOW Trial: Semaglutide and Kidney Outcomes, Explained
What the FLOW trial showed about semaglutide and kidney disease progression in type 2 diabetes, in plain language.
Does semaglutide protect the kidneys?
In the FLOW trial (New England Journal of Medicine, 2024), semaglutide reduced the risk of major kidney and cardiovascular events by roughly 24% in adults with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. The trial was stopped early for efficacy. This applies to FDA-approved semaglutide under medical care, not to compounded products.
Disclaimer: American Telehealth Review is an editorial resource and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved finished drug products and should only be prescribed when clinically appropriate by a licensed healthcare provider. Brand-name medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound are FDA-approved under their own applications. Compounded semaglutide and compounded tirzepatide are not FDA-approved finished drug products.
What FLOW found
FLOW enrolled adults with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease and measured kidney failure, significant loss of kidney function, and cardiovascular death. The roughly 24% risk reduction was clinically important enough to halt the trial early.
Scope and limits
FLOW studied a specific population with FDA-approved semaglutide. It does not establish kidney benefits for compounded products or for people outside the studied group. Kidney care must be clinician-directed.
| Outcome | Finding (FLOW, 2024) |
|---|---|
| Composite kidney/CV endpoint | ~24% relative risk reduction vs placebo |
| Population | Type 2 diabetes + chronic kidney disease |
| Medication studied | FDA-approved semaglutide (not a compounded product) |
Source: Perkovic V et al., FLOW, New England Journal of Medicine, 2024.
Frequently asked questions
Did FLOW show semaglutide helps kidneys?
Yes; it reduced major kidney and cardiovascular events by about 24% in type 2 diabetes with chronic kidney disease, and was stopped early for benefit.
Does this apply to compounded semaglutide?
No; FLOW used FDA-approved semaglutide, and compounded products were not studied.
Sources
- Perkovic V et al. Effects of semaglutide on chronic kidney disease in type 2 diabetes (FLOW). N Engl J Med. 2024.
- Lincoff AM et al. Semaglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in obesity without diabetes (SELECT). N Engl J Med. 2023.
- U.S. FDA — Medications containing semaglutide and tirzepatide; Compounding and the FDA (fda.gov).