Research is increasingly showing that Ozempic and similar GLP-1 drugs offer benefits beyond weight loss. New studies indicate these medications may also help in reducing alcohol consumption.
A team of scientists from Ireland and Saudi Arabia conducted a study with about 200 patients who were prescribed GLP-1 drugs for obesity management. They discovered not only significant weight loss among participants but also a considerable decrease in alcohol intake—some reported cutting their consumption by as much as two-thirds, especially among heavy drinkers. This data suggests GLP-1 medications could be valuable in treating addiction, according to the researchers.
Semaglutide, which is the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, is notably more effective at promoting weight loss compared to diet and exercise alone. Interestingly, some researchers have begun to observe that these medications may help diminish cravings for various substances, including harmful drugs like opioids, cocaine, and alcohol. Various initial studies appear to back up these observations.
This particular study was prospective, meaning researchers actively monitored changes in alcohol consumption after participants began GLP-1 therapy, while earlier studies often relied on retrospective data. Participants were current patients prescribed either semaglutide or liraglutide, an earlier GLP-1 medication, for weight loss. They reported their alcohol use prior to starting the drug and returned for follow-up appointments at three and six months.
A total of 188 individuals attended at least one follow-up visit. Among those who consumed alcohol, there was an average decrease in alcohol consumption after starting on a GLP-1 drug. Notably, heavy drinkers—defined as those consuming over 11 drinks per week—reported a dramatic 68% reduction in their intake, going from about 23 drinks weekly to only 8. This reduction is comparable to existing treatments for alcohol use disorder, the study authors pointed out.
“Our results demonstrate a significant reduction in alcohol intake among patients treated with GLP-1 RAs,” the authors stated in their paper, which will be presented at the upcoming European Congress on Obesity. The findings were also published in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism earlier this year.
However, the study does have its limitations, such as the absence of a control group and a relatively small sample size. There remains uncertainty regarding how exactly these drugs may influence cravings, although it is thought that GLP-1 receptors in the brain play a role in how we respond to rewarding stimuli like alcohol. Still, the evidence is accumulating that GLP-1s could serve another vital role in treating substance use disorders.
There was also a weak positive correlation noted between weight loss and reduced alcohol consumption, which seems logical considering the high caloric content of alcoholic beverages. Thus, these drugs might, at the very least, help individuals grappling with both weight and drinking issues simultaneously, the authors suggest.
“These findings suggest a potential therapeutic role for GLP-1 RAs in managing concurrent obesity and alcohol use,” they concluded.
Ultimately, properly randomized and controlled clinical trials will be necessary to determine whether semaglutide can be viewed as a dependable option for treating substance use disorders, some of which are currently being studied.
