Semaglutide may harm kidneys in rare cases, doctors warn

Semaglutide is a popular medication for weight loss and diabetes. But a new review raises a warning about kidney safety. This analysis looked at 20 specific cases involving 7 men and 13 women. These cases came from 18 different studies. The review found that kidney injury happened in these patients. The injury included acute kidney injury, acute renal failure, and acute interstitial nephritis. Most of the 17 patients who had these issues improved or recovered. However, outcomes were not reported for two patients. One patient did not recover from the injury. This means the full picture of who gets hurt is still unclear. The review did not report a specific number of people who took the drug without issues. Because the sample is so small, we cannot say this happens often. But the risk is real for those who take it. Doctors should be cautious when prescribing semaglutide to people with underlying health conditions. They should also check kidney function regularly after starting treatment. This caution applies especially to those taking other medications at the same time. The link between the drug and kidney damage is not proven as a direct cause. Yet the association exists and needs attention. Patients should talk to their doctors before starting this treatment if they have kidney concerns.