A recent study from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine has revealed that Wegovy and Ozempic, popular diabetes and weight-loss drugs, may have the potential to significantly reduce alcohol misuse and alcohol use disorder. The active ingredient in these medications, semaglutide, has shown promise as a new treatment for alcohol-use disorder, a condition responsible for a high number of deaths annually in the United States. Despite the promising findings, experts agree that further clinical trials are necessary to confirm semaglutide’s effectiveness in preventing or treating alcohol use disorder.
Alcohol use disorder, also known as alcohol misuse, dependence, and addiction, is a serious medical condition characterized by the persistent consumption of alcohol despite negative consequences. The severity of alcohol use disorder can vary, ranging from mild to moderate to severe, and can have a detrimental impact on an individual’s health, quality of life, and relationships. The harmful effects of alcohol misuse include injuries, chronic diseases, various cancers, risky behaviors, absenteeism, and negative pregnancy outcomes.
Factors that can increase the likelihood of developing alcohol use disorder include a family history of alcohol misuse, mental health issues, and early initiation of alcohol consumption. Currently, the FDA has approved three medications, naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram, for the treatment of alcohol use disorder. However, a new study published in Nature Communications suggests that drugs containing semaglutide may offer a potential new treatment option for excessive alcohol consumption and alcohol use disorder.
Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic, is a type of medication known as a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1). GLP-1 agonists are effective in regulating blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes and reducing appetite. The recent study analyzing the health records of individuals with obesity revealed that those treated with semaglutide experienced a significant reduction in the onset and recurrence of alcohol use disorder compared to those treated with other anti-obesity medications. Further research is necessary to confirm the clinical use of semaglutide for alcohol use disorder.
Rong Xu, PhD, the lead researcher of the study, highlighted the potential benefits of semaglutide for alcohol use disorder based on real-world evidence gathered from the study. Researchers observed a decrease in suicidal ideation among participants taking semaglutide, contrary to previous concerns. Additionally, semaglutide was associated with a reduction in both new cases and recurrences of cannabis-use disorder, further emphasizing its potential benefits. While these findings are promising, further randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm semaglutide’s efficacy for alcohol use disorder.
Medical experts not involved in the study, such as Mark A. Anton, MD, and Sazan Sylejmani, PharmD, found the research results to be promising and aligned with their observations in clinical practice. Both Anton and Sylejmani emphasized the potential of GLP-1 receptor agonists like Wegovy and Ozempic in reducing alcohol abuse and dependence, as reported by patients using these medications. The findings of the study support the need for future randomized clinical trials to test semaglutide for alcohol use disorders, with potential implications for integrated treatment strategies addressing metabolic and behavioral health issues concurrently.
