Research shows Ozempic reduced the risk of opioid overdose

By Naomi Kresge
Published 3 Min Read

A person holding a box of Ozempic.
Bloomberg

People with a history of opioid abuse who took Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic were less likely to overdose, according to a study that adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting it may help manage addiction.

Patients on semaglutide, the key ingredient in Novo’s diabetes drug Ozempic and its weight-loss shot Wegovy, were less than half as likely to overdose as those on insulin, according to the study, published Wednesday in JAMA Network Open. Those taking semaglutide were 63% less likely to overdose than those taking DPP-4 inhibitors, a widely used type of diabetes pill.

Naomi Kresge

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