New research indicates that medications similar to Ozempic can also effectively manage type 1 diabetes, not just type 2.
In a significant development for diabetes research, a recent clinical trial has shown that semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, could potentially improve blood sugar levels and induce weight loss in people with type 1 diabetes when used alongside insulin[1][2][3].
The 26-week randomized clinical trial, involving adults with type 1 diabetes using automated insulin delivery systems, found that semaglutide significantly improved blood glucose levels, increased the time spent in a healthy blood sugar range, reduced body weight by an average of about 18.5 pounds, and did so without increasing the risk of dangerous hypoglycemia or diabetic ketoacidosis[3]. About 36% of patients on semaglutide reached key health goals including better blood sugar control and at least 5% weight loss, compared to none in the placebo group[3].
The rationale for testing semaglutide in type 1 diabetes stems from the observation that insulin resistance and digestive hormone impairments—common in type 2 diabetes—can also be present in type 1 diabetes, despite their different underlying mechanisms[1]. Unlike type 2 diabetes, type 1 is autoimmune and involves destruction of insulin-producing cells, making insulin the primary therapy historically.
While semaglutide remains investigational for type 1 diabetes, and no official FDA approval has been announced yet, researchers and clinicians are hopeful that these trial results will lead to FDA approval of semaglutide as an adjunct therapy for type 1 diabetes, especially in those managing obesity and using advanced insulin delivery technologies[2][3]. As of July 2025, this approval is still pending, so semaglutide is primarily approved and prescribed for type 2 diabetes and obesity, not for type 1 diabetes[4].
Dr. Viral Shah, a diabetes researcher at Indiana University and the lead study author of the trial, emphasized the need for more evidence to help these drugs be approved by regulatory agencies. He envisions Ozempic-like drugs as a potential firstline treatment for type 1 diabetes. Ahmad Haidar, a diabetes researcher at McGill University in Canada, also stated that these results support the exploration of these drugs in type 1 diabetics.
In summary, while semaglutide is currently not FDA-approved for treating type 1 diabetes, the promising results from this clinical trial suggest that it could potentially be used as an adjunct therapy for type 1 diabetes, especially in those with obesity and using advanced insulin delivery technologies. However, patients should await formal FDA approval and consult their healthcare providers before considering its use.
| Aspect | Status/Details | |-------------------------------|------------------------------------------------| | Current FDA approval | Approved for type 2 diabetes and obesity only | | Use in type 1 diabetes | Investigational, not yet FDA-approved | | Clinical trial outcomes | Improves glucose control & weight loss without increased hypoglycemia risk | | Potential future use | Adjunct therapy with insulin for type 1 diabetes, pending regulatory approval |
[1] The New England Journal of Medicine. (2023). Semaglutide for type 1 diabetes. Retrieved from
- The clinical trial results indicate that semaglutide, which is primarily used for type 2 diabetes and obesity, could potentially improve blood sugar levels and induce weight loss in people with type 1 diabetes when used alongside insulin.
- Researchers and clinicians are hopeful that the promising results from the trial will lead to FDA approval of semaglutide as an adjunct therapy for type 1 diabetes, especially for those managing obesity and using advanced insulin delivery technologies.
- The use of semaglutide in type 1 diabetes is currently investigational and not FDA-approved, but it shows potential for managing chronic diseases like type 1 diabetes, particularly in terms of health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and weight-management.
- As nutrition plays a crucial role in diabetes management, the exploration of drugs like semaglutide in type 1 diabetes supports the scientific community's endeavors to find effective treatment strategies for various medical-conditions, including chronic diseases.
