Semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy) Cleared by FDA to Reduce Cardiovascular Risks in Adults with Heart Disease and Obesity/Overweight
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared semaglutide, marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy, to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death in adults diagnosed with established heart disease who also have obesity (BMI 30+) or are overweight (BMI 27+). This clearance follows findings from the landmark SELECT trial, summarized by Yale Medicine, which highlighted the medication's efficacy in this patient population. Semaglutide is a GLP-1 medication, one of the most prescribed in its class, and works by mimicking a naturally occurring hormone involved in appetite, satiety, glucose regulation, and digestion. While Ozempic is primarily used for type 2 diabetes treatment, and Wegovy is specifically approved for weight management, both contain the same active ingredient, semaglutide, and now share this expanded indication for cardiovascular risk reduction.