A study led by USC suggests that semaglutide, known as Ozempic and Wegovy, may help reduce alcohol cravings. This drug, already famous for treating diabetes and obesity, might also help those struggling with alcohol consumption.
The research, published in JAMA Psychiatry, found that weekly Ozempic injections lessened alcohol cravings, reduced the amount people drank, and decreased the frequency of heavy drinking days among adults with alcohol use disorder.
This discovery could fill a treatment gap, as alcohol is responsible for many health issues, and yet few people seek help. Many patients have noted that starting semaglutide for obesity or diabetes often leads to a drop in alcohol desire.
This trial, the first of its kind, was led by Christian Hendershot at USC. It’s the earliest randomized, placebo-controlled study to examine this effect. Semaglutide’s growing popularity might lead to its use in treating alcohol use disorder if it’s approved for this purpose, according to Hendershot.
The Alcohol Cravings Experiment
Researchers recruited 48 adults with alcohol use disorder who weren’t seeking treatment. Participants had a recent history of drinking more than seven drinks weekly for women or 14 for men, plus at least two heavy drinking episodes.
Before treatment, participants drank their preferred alcohol in a lab setting, allowing researchers to measure consumption. Then, they received either Ozempic or a placebo for nine weeks, with drinking patterns monitored throughout.
What Changed?
Compared to the placebo, Ozempic reduced alcohol cravings, average drinks on drinking days, and heavy drinking days. The effects were more significant than those seen with existing medications. By the second month, those on Ozempic cut their alcohol intake by nearly 30%, while the placebo group saw only a 2% reduction. About 40% of those on Ozempic had no heavy drinking days in the second month, versus 20% in the placebo group.
Additionally, a subgroup of smokers on Ozempic reduced cigarette use more than those on the placebo, hinting that it might help with nicotine cravings too.
“These findings suggest Ozempic could address an unmet need for alcohol use disorder treatment,” said Klara Klein from the University of North Carolina. More extensive studies are needed to fully understand its safety and effectiveness.
About the Study:
In addition to Hendershot and Klein, other authors of the study are Michael Bremmer, Michael Paladino, Georgios Kostantinis, Thomas Gilmore, Neil Sullivan, Amanda Tow and Robyn Jordan, all of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Sarah S. Dermody of Toronto Metropolitan University; Mark Prince of Keck School of Medicine; Sherry A. McKee of Yale University School of Medicine; Paul J. Fletcher of University of Toronto; and Eric D. Claus of The Pennsylvania State University.
This research was supported by National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism grant R21AA026931.
