New diabetes pill may reduce clots and stroke

Novo Nordisk’s pill, Rybelsus, has been found to do more than control blood sugar in type 2 diabetes patients, also reducing cardiovascular events by 14% compared to a placebo control group, according to results from the Soul study. Such events include blood clots and strokes. Novo Nordisk plans to seek expanded approval for Rybelsus in Europe and the USA, aiming to make the treatment available for more patients. Rybelsus contains the same active ingredient, semaglutide, as in Wegovy and Ozempic, which have similar benefits. The prescription pill, approved in the US in fall 2019 and in the EU and UK half a year later, should be complemented by a healthy diet and exercise. Side effects include nausea and diarrhea. Rybelsus sales reached 7.4 billion DKK in the last year, more than double the previous year’s sales.