Researchers using Swedish patient data found that anti-obesity drugs like Ozempic can reduce hospitalizations related to alcohol use disorder, suggesting these medications could be used to manage addiction.
A study published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry analyzed data from over 227,000 patients in Sweden who were diagnosed with alcohol use disorder between 2006 and 2021. The researchers found that people taking semaglutide (Ozempic) had a 36% lower risk of hospitalization due to alcohol-related issues, while those taking liraglutide had a 28% lower risk.
Similar findings were seen in patients taking naltrexone, an approved medication for opioid and alcohol use disorder. The study found that semaglutide was associated with a 32% lower risk of hospitalization due to substance use disorders, while liraglutide was associated with a 22% lower risk.
The researchers emphasized that the study’s findings are promising but cannot conclusively prove that these medications directly treat addiction. Further clinical trials are needed to verify these results and confirm safety.
The discovery is part of a growing body of work suggesting GLP-1 agonists, including Ozempic-like drugs, may help manage addiction. Earlier studies on mice and rats found reduced binge drinking episodes and dependence on alcohol, while observational studies in humans have linked these medications to lower alcohol use in people with addiction.
Source: https://www.livescience.com/health/ozempic-like-drugs-may-treat-alcohol-addiction-study-finds