Wicked Good Cardiometabolic Chat: Semaglutide’s Expanding Role in Chronic Disease

In Wicked Good Cardiometabolic Chat, a podcast offering from Drug Topics®, hosts Jennifer Goldman, PharmD, CDCES, BC-ADM, FCCP, professor of pharmacy practice at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS), and Hailey Choi, PharmD, BCACP, CDCES, associate professor of pharmacy practice at MCPHS, aim to empower pharmacists with evidence-based insights on various cardiometabolic topics. In this episode, Jen and Hailey explore 7 major clinical trials that showcase the expanding benefits of semaglutide across a range of chronic conditions.

Originally developed to manage blood sugar in type 2 diabetes, semaglutide is now being studied in kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, heart failure, liver disease, peripheral artery disease, and obesity. Trials like FLOW (NCT03819153) and SELECT (NCT03574597) revealed impressive reductions in major kidney and cardiovascular events, while STEP-HFpEF (NCT04788511) highlighted improvements in quality of life and heart failure symptoms. The ESSENCE (NCT06215196) trial demonstrated liver benefits in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), and the STRIDE (NCT04560998) trial showed improved walking distance and vascular outcomes in people with peripheral artery disease.

Most recently, the STEP-UP (NCT05646706) trial found that higher doses of semaglutide led to even greater weight loss, with a safety profile similar to lower doses. These studies reflect a broader shift in how semaglutide is viewed: not just as a glucose-lowering drug, but as a potential cornerstone therapy in cardiometabolic care. Across trials, side effects were mostly gastrointestinal and generally mild. As evidence continues to grow, semaglutide may play a major role in how we manage chronic disease moving forward.

Be sure to tune in every month on Drug Topics for insightful conversations around different cardiometabolic topics that will help improve your practice and patient care. All episodes of Wicked Good Cardiometabolic Chat will be available in video via DrugTopics.com, with an audio version available through Spotify.

Interested in hearing a specific topic discussed? Send an email with your suggestion to kmeara@mjhlifesciences.com.

Are you ready to elevate your pharmacy practice? Sign up today for our free Drug Topics newsletter and get the latest drug information, industry trends, and patient care tips, straight to your inbox.