In a new randomized, controlled trial, adults with alcohol use disorder who received a once weekly injection of Ozempic for nine weeks experienced reduced alcohol cravings and drank less than those who were given placebo.
A once weekly injection of semaglutide, the main ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, may help problem drinkers kick their cravings.
In a new study, the drug, known for treating type 2 diabetes and obesity, also helped reduce overall alcohol intake and the number of heavy drinking days.
48 adults with alcohol use disorder or alcoholism were recruited for the trial. They were randomly assigned to receive weekly, low-dose injections of Ozempic or a placebo for nine weeks.
Before, during and after treatment their drinking patterns were measured in a comfortable lab setting and at home.
The results showed semaglutide injections reduced weekly alcohol cravings, decreased alcohol consumption on drinking days and led to fewer heavy drinking episodes – compared to placebo.
By the final month of the study, nearly 40% of those in the semaglutide group reported no heavy drinking days at all.
According to the researchers, about a third of U.S. adults have met the criteria for problem drinking at some point in their lives, but very few seek help.
The lead author says, “The popularity of Ozempic and other GLP-1 receptor agonists increases the chances of broad adoption of these treatments for alcohol use disorder.”Christian Hendershot, first author
Larger studies of GLP-1 receptor agonists for alcohol use disorder are still needed.
Source: JAMA Psychiatry
Author Affiliations: University of Southern California
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