Ozempic, Wigovy and other GLP-1 drugs have been shown to counteract the effects of alcohol, a new study suggests.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1) agonists (including either semaglutide or liraglutide), which are prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity, have been reported to reduce alcohol intake when taken. Previous research has shown that.
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland and Karolinska Institutet in Sweden has found that people with alcohol use disorder (AUD) are less likely to be hospitalized for symptoms related to alcohol or drug abuse.
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According to a press release, researchers analyzed decades of data from 228,000 people aged 16 to 64 who held Australian dollars in Sweden.
Studies have shown that taking glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1) agonists reduced alcohol intake. (St. Petersburg)
For participants with AUD, obesity, and type 2 diabetes, the use of GLP-1 drugs was associated with “a significant reduction in the risk of hospitalization for AUD,” the researchers wrote.
Patients taking semaglutide (such as Ozempic or Wegovy) had a 36% lower risk, and patients taking liraglutide (Victoza) had a 28% lower risk.
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The GLP-1 drug was shown to be even more effective than naltrexone, which is considered the drug of choice for alcohol use disorder.
“Our study suggests that GLP-1 agonists may be useful in treating obesity and diabetes, as well as alcohol and substance use disorders. However, these findings are limited to randomized controlled trials. This needs to be further validated in trials,” said study lead author Markku Lähteenvuo. Professors of forensic psychiatry at the University of Eastern Finland and Niuvanniemi Hospital said in a release.
For participants with alcohol use disorder, obesity, and type 2 diabetes, the use of GLP-1 drugs was associated with “a significantly reduced risk of hospitalization for AUD,” the researchers wrote. (St. Petersburg)
Dr. Sue DeCotis, a New York City weight loss physician, says this isn't the first study to link GLP-1 to reduced alcohol intake.
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“There are a number of studies showing that GLP-1 reduces the desire to consume alcohol,” Decotis, who was not involved in the Swedish study, told FOX News Digital.
“More than 50% of my patients who take semaglutide and tirzepatide experience a significant decrease in their desire to drink alcohol.”
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Decotis also mentioned Retatortide, a new weight loss drug from Eli Lilly that is said to be more effective against alcoholism.
“Overall, these drugs have been shown time and time again to promote overall long-term health throughout the body,” she said.
Patients taking semaglutide (such as Ozempic or Wigovy) had a 36% lower risk of alcohol-related hospitalization, and patients taking liraglutide (Victoza) had a 28% lower risk. (St. Petersburg)
The 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that approximately 28.9 million people aged 12 and over held Australian dollars in the past year.
Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic and Wegovy, provided the following statement to FOX News Digital.
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“Novo Nordisk welcomes independent research investigating the safety, efficacy and clinical utility of our products. However, none of our semaglutide-containing products are indicated for the treatment of addiction-related diseases. It’s not something you do.”
According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 28.9 million people ages 12 and older had an alcohol use disorder in the past year. (St. Petersburg)
“Importantly, our clinical study was not designed to evaluate the efficacy of semaglutide for alcohol use disorder, smoking disorder, or other addiction-related diseases. We simply advocate for our products to be prescribed to patients who meet the requirements and facilitate FDA approval of our drug's indications for the appropriate patients. ”
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Fox News Digital has reached out to the researchers and Eli Lilly, the maker of Retatortide, for comment.
