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Which health outcomes is the study assessing?

Half of the study participants will get tablets containing semaglutide and half will get inactive placebo tablets which look like the semaglutide tablets but have no active drug in them.

At the end of the study we will see how many people in each group suffered a serious heart or circulation problem. These conditions include:

  • heart attacks, strokes or mini strokes (also known as transient ischaemic attacks or TIA)
  • death from heart or circulatory problems
  • the need for a stent or bypass surgery to treat a blocked heart artery.

This information will be analysed to find out if oral semaglutide truly does reduce the risk of people with type 2 diabetes developing these conditions.

Oral semaglutide could also potentially reduce the risk of people with type 2 diabetes from developing other health problems related to diabetes, such as kidney disease and long-term memory problems including dementia. The ASCEND PLUS research team will investigate this.

Can I join this study?

Yes, potentially, if you:

  • have received a written invitation from the ASCEND PLUS study team
  • are aged 55 years or above
  • have type 2 diabetes mellitus.

If you have a history of any of the following, you are not able to join the trial:

  • previous heart attack or stroke
  • current or planned treatment with oral semaglutide or similar type of drug: Semaglutide injections (Ozempic ® or Wegovy ®); Dulaglutide (Trulicity ®); Exenatide (Byetta ®); Liraglutide (Victoza ® or Saxenda®); Lixisenatide (Lyxumia ®) 
  • previous allergy or intolerance to oral semaglutide or similar type of drug
  • low blood sugar (a ‘hypo’) for which you have needed help from another person (e.g. if you had to go to A&E or needed emergency treatment from a paramedic, friend or relative) in the last 6 months
  • low blood sugar (a ‘hypo’) causing symptoms in the past month
  • are in the process of starting insulin treatment
  • current or planned kidney dialysis
  • severe heart failure with difficulty breathing at rest
  • type 1 diabetes or other types of diabetes (e.g. Mature Onset Diabetes of the Young, MODY)
  • ongoing treatment for cancer, or a diagnosis of cancer within the last two years (some skin cancers do not affect ability to join the trial)
  • current or planned pregnancy or currently breastfeeding
  • a particular type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid cancer – if you have been diagnosed with thyroid cancer you can speak to a study doctor to check whether you could join the trial
  • any serious medical condition which is likely to make it difficult for you to take part
  • current participation in a clinical trial which is testing an unlicensed medication for diabetes.

To speak to one of the study doctors or nurses about whether you are able to join the trial, please contact the ASCEND PLUS team. 

Find out more

Read this information leaflet for further details.