A new study published in JAMA Psychiatry has confirmed that the weight loss medication semaglutide, also known as Ozempic and Wegovy, can help reduce cravings for alcohol in adults with symptoms of alcohol use disorder. The findings suggest that weekly injections of semaglutide can lead to significant reductions in alcohol consumption, drinking frequency, and heavy drinking days.
The study involved 48 adults with alcohol use disorder who were not actively seeking treatment. Participants received either weekly injections of semaglutide or a placebo for nine weeks, during which time their drinking patterns were measured. The results showed that semaglutide reduced weekly alcohol craving, average drinks consumed on drinking days, and heavy drinking days compared to the placebo group.
The study’s findings are promising, suggesting that semaglutide and similar GLP-1 receptor agonists may fill an unmet need for treating alcohol use disorder. Larger studies in broader populations are needed to fully understand the safety and efficacy of these medications in people with alcohol use disorder.
Overall, this research provides hope for a new treatment option for individuals struggling with alcohol addiction, which is estimated to cause 178,000 U.S. deaths per year.
Source: https://today.usc.edu/popular-weight-loss-diabetes-drug-shows-promise-in-reducing-cravings-for-alcohol