For years, individuals using Ozempic or other drugs in the same class for diabetes and weight loss have observed an unexpected benefit. These medicines, beyond reducing appetite, seem to curb alcohol consumption for some users. Now, the first clinical trial has confirmed this intriguing effect, albeit in a relatively small and short-term study.
A study involving 48 participants with moderate alcohol-use disorder (AUD) revealed that those receiving low doses of semaglutide—the generic name for Ozempic—over nine weeks experienced a significant decrease in alcohol consumption and cravings compared to those given a placebo. These findings were published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry, adding to a growing body of evidence suggesting that GLP-1 medicines like Ozempic could potentially mitigate excessive alcohol consumption.
"We hoped to see a reduction in drinking and craving," stated Dr. Christian Hendershot, director of clinical research at the USC Institute for Addiction Science and lead author of the study. "What I didn’t expect was the magnitude of the effects, which looks fairly good compared to other alcohol-use disorder medications."
AUD impacts nearly 30 million people in the United States, as per the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. It is characterized by difficulties in controlling alcohol consumption despite its adverse effects. Health experts increasingly advocate for reduced alcohol intake to improve overall health, emphasizing the risks associated with alcohol, including a heightened risk of several types of cancer.
Whether Ozempic and similar drugs could offer a new avenue for AUD treatment hinges on larger, more comprehensive trials. Current FDA-approved medications for AUD are underutilized, with less than 2% of affected individuals receiving treatment, partly due to a lack of awareness and stigma.
Semaglutide, marketed as Ozempic for type 2 diabetes and Wegovy for obesity, belongs to a class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. These drugs mimic the hormone GLP-1 to suppress appetite, slow gastric emptying, and regulate insulin. They work both in the gut and the brain, which might explain their potential effect on AUD, according to Dr. Lorenzo Leggio from the National Institutes of Health.
Conducted at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill School of Medicine, the study included individuals with AUD who were not actively seeking treatment. Participants reported consuming more than seven drinks per week for women or 14 for men, with at least two heavy drinking episodes within the last month. Half received weekly injections of semaglutide, while the other half received a placebo.
An unusual aspect of the trial was its setting: a laboratory resembling a living room, complete with a TV and a bar stocked with participants' preferred alcoholic beverages. This setup allowed researchers to monitor alcohol consumption in a controlled environment.
By the study's conclusion, those on semaglutide consumed about 40% less alcohol than the placebo group. They also reported fewer drinks per day and reduced cravings. Dr. Daniel Drucker, a GLP-1 research pioneer, emphasized the significance of these findings but noted the need for more detailed data on side effects.
Common side effects of GLP-1 medicines include nausea and gastrointestinal issues. In this trial, participants generally experienced mild side effects, which researchers believe could not fully explain the reduction in alcohol consumption.
The study found that semaglutide did not influence the frequency of drinking days, only the quantity consumed. This could align with treatment goals for AUD, focusing on reduction rather than complete abstinence. However, the study population differed from typical AUD treatment seekers, with a higher proportion of women and participants of higher than average weight.
Further trials are underway to explore the potential of GLP-1 drugs in treating AUD. However, pharmaceutical companies like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly need to engage more actively in pursuing addiction-related indications for these medicines.
As research continues, key questions remain regarding the application of these drugs in individuals without excess weight and their broader implications for alcohol and smoking cessation.
