Exciting Research Uncovers the Potential of Ozempic in Reducing Alcohol Consumption

According to a report by CNN, individuals who have been using Ozempic and similar medications designed for diabetes management and weight reduction have observed a notable decrease not just in their appetite but also in their alcohol consumption.

Recently, a groundbreaking clinical trial — albeit small in scale and duration — has validated these observations.

A study involving 48 participants exhibiting signs of moderate alcohol-use disorder indicated that those administered low doses of semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic) for a duration of nine weeks exhibited considerable reductions in their alcohol intake and cravings when compared to a control group receiving placebo. The findings were published in the esteemed journal, JAMA Psychiatry.

These results align with earlier studies and analyses that have suggested the GLP-1 medications, which have skyrocketed in popularity, may play a role in decreasing the likelihood of excessive alcohol consumption. It’s hoped that as further research unfolds, these promising results will hold up in larger and more extensive studies.

Dr. Christian Hendershot, director of clinical research at the USC Institute for Addiction Science and the study’s lead author, expressed optimism regarding the results, stating, “We aimed to demonstrate a reduction in drinking and cravings. However, the magnitude of the effects far exceeded my expectations compared to traditional medications for alcohol-use disorder.”

In the United States, alcohol-use disorder (AUD) impacts nearly 30 million individuals, as reported by the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. This condition is typified by an inability to control alcohol consumption despite its detrimental consequences.

Health authorities increasingly advocate for reduced alcohol consumption or complete abstinence to enhance overall health. Last month, Dr. Vivek Murthy, the former US Surgeon General, issued a significant advisory emphasizing the link between alcohol and an elevated risk of at least seven cancers, alongside calls for revised health warning labels on alcoholic drinks.

Experts uphold that the potential of Ozempic and similar medications as treatment alternatives for AUD hinges on forthcoming trials involving patients with more severe manifestations of the disorder. Understanding how these medications function in mitigating alcohol consumption is also crucial.

Currently, the US Food and Drug Administration has approved three medications for AUD. However, less than 2% of those with the disorder receive treatment, primarily due to a lack of awareness and associated stigma.

Dr. Hendershot pointed out that naltrexone, one of the approved medications, has demonstrated limited effectiveness for AUD, while the semaglutide trial revealed noticeable improvements.

Semaglutide, marketed by Novo Nordisk as Ozempic for diabetes management and Wegovy for obesity, belongs to a class known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. These drugs simulate the hormone GLP-1, helping to lower appetite, slow gastric emptying, and maintain insulin levels. Eli Lilly produces other drugs in this category, including Mounjaro and Zepbound.

The efficacy of GLP-1 medications may stem from their dual action in both the gastrointestinal tract and the brain, as noted by Dr. Lorenzo Leggio from the National Institutes of Health, who was not involved in the study.

Dr. Leggio emphasized that further research is essential to elucidate the mechanisms through which these drugs may aid in treating AUD. Early indications suggest that their effectiveness may include diminishing cravings and reducing the pleasurable effects of alcohol.

The research was funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and executed at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill School of Medicine. Participants diagnosed with AUD who were not actively seeking treatment were enrolled in the study.

Half of the participants received low-dose semaglutide injections weekly, while the other half were given a placebo. The study utilized a unique setup where participants spent time in a lab designed to mimic a cozy living room, complete with a bar and their favorite beverages.

Surprisingly, participants were allowed to drink as much as they desired, within safety parameters, while study personnel collected data on alcohol consumption.

At the conclusion of the nine-week period, results indicated that individuals taking semaglutide consumed approximately 40% less alcohol compared to the placebo group. Additionally, they reported fewer overall drinks, fewer heavy drinking days, and diminished cravings.

Dr. Daniel Drucker, a professor at the University of Toronto and a pioneer in GLP-1 research, noted that this study is one of the first randomized controlled trials providing evidence that these medications can indeed lead to lesser alcohol consumption.

Drucker expressed a desire for more comprehensive data on individual side effects and any potential relationships to alcohol intake.

Notably, common side effects associated with GLP-1 medications include gastrointestinal issues such as nausea and constipation. Dr. Hendershot mentioned that the participants experienced generally mild side effects, but the small scale of the study limited the ability to correlate side effects with alcohol consumption levels.

While the semaglutide did not appear to impact how many days a week participants chose to drink, it did influence the amount consumed when they did drink, a factor Dr. Raymond Anton, an addiction psychiatrist, noted could be beneficial for those looking to manage AUD.

Anton highlighted that the field is moving toward establishing reduction goals in treatment, with the FDA also adapting to this direction since most people engaging treatment do not aim for complete abstinence.

Moreover, Anton suggested investigating the interactions between side effects like nausea and fatigue with alcohol consumption, alongside exploring potential correlations between weight loss and reduced alcohol intake. In the study, participants treated with semaglutide lost about 5% of their body weight over the nine weeks.

It’s important to note that the study participants differed from the typical AUD treatment-seekers, containing a higher proportion of women and individuals who were generally heavier, thus necessitating further research to unveil more accurate representations of AUD treatment demographics.

Numerous clinical trials are already in progress to delve deeper into the efficacy of GLP-1 medications for AUD, with new studies set to commence at the NIH. However, for these medications to gain FDA approval for alcohol-use disorder, greater pharmaceutical involvement will likely be necessary.

Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have primarily focused on demonstrating their medications’ cardiovascular efficacy and effects on other conditions, such as kidney disease and heart failure. Novo Nordisk is also considering the implications of semaglutide for Alzheimer’s treatment, with findings expected later this year.

As research progresses, there are still many questions to answer, including how best to utilize these medications for individuals without excess weight. In Hendershot’s study, participants with a BMI as low as 23 were eligible, which could include people of normal weight; however, the FDA guidelines exist for those classified as obese or overweight with weight-related health issues.

Lastly, the study also analyzed cigarette usage among a small subsection of participants who smoked, noting that those on semaglutide seemed to reduce their smoking frequency. This observation echoes anecdotal reports from individuals prescribed the medication for weight loss.

The researchers concluded that if GLP-1 receptor agonists prove effective for reducing both alcohol consumption and smoking, the potential health implications could be significant.

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