Novo Nordisk's Ozempic Reduces Smoking-Related Health Interventions In Diabetic Patients, Study Finds

A recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine reveals that smokers with type 2 diabetes who are treated with Novo Nordisk A/S’ NVO Ozempic (semaglutide) show fewer tobacco-related medical interactions and interventions aimed at smoking cessation compared to those taking other diabetes medications.

In the year following the initiation of Ozempic treatment, patients previously diagnosed with tobacco use disorder were up to 32% less likely to discuss tobacco use with their healthcare providers.

This reduction in discussions about tobacco use was observed even when compared to those taking other medications within the same class, known as GLP-1 receptor agonists.

Also Read: UK’s NHS Prescribes Weight-Loss Drug Wegovy Less Than Expected Due To Service Shortages.

Additionally, Ozempic users were up to 68% less likely to receive prescriptions for smoking cessation medication and up to 21% less likely to receive smoking cessation counseling.

The study compared 222,942 new users of antidiabetes medications, including 5,967 of semaglutide. 

Reuters notes that researchers highlighted the need for clinical trials to evaluate the potential of Ozempic’s active ingredient, semaglutide, in smoking cessation.

The study, sponsored by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, suggests that semaglutide may reduce the desire to smoke by dampening the rewarding effects of nicotine in the brain.

The research added that semaglutide was associated with reduced smoking cessation medication prescriptions and counseling.

Similar findings were observed in patients with and without a diagnosis of obesity. For most group comparisons, the differences occurred within 30 days of prescription initiation.

Despite the reduced tobacco disorder-related encounters, the study did not include data on whether patients stopped or decreased tobacco use after starting on the various drugs, the Reuters report added.

While the observed reduction in medical interactions might suggest decreased tobacco use or relapses, researchers cautioned that it could also indicate a reduced willingness to seek help to quit smoking.

Price Action: NVO stock closed at $127.97 on Monday.

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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