Weight loss drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists, which have become quite popular for treating type 2 diabetes and obesity, show promising potential to also reduce alcohol consumption. An international research team from Ireland and Saudi Arabia studied 262 obese adults who began treatment with either liraglutide or semaglutide.
For those who regularly drank, there was a remarkable 68% drop in weekly alcohol intake, reducing from about 23 units to approximately 8 units.
The results, recently published in the Journal of Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, garnered attention at the European Conference on Obesity held in Spain last week.
Co-author Carel Le Roux, a professor from Dublin University College, mentioned that these GLP-1 agonists imitate a hormone called GLP-1. They activate receptors in the brain, leading to decreased sensations of hunger and thirst, which then helps curtail cravings for food and alcohol.
Survey Results
Participants self-reported their alcohol intake weekly before starting the weight loss medication, deciding whether they were non-drinkers, occasional drinkers, or regular drinkers. Roughly 72% of participants attended at least two follow-up visits, with 68% consuming alcohol regularly.
Following the initiation of the weight loss medication, participants overall saw their average weekly alcohol consumption drop by nearly two-thirds, going from around 11 units to just four after four months. Researchers found this reduction similar to what could be achieved with nalmefene, a medication used in Europe to curb cravings in individuals with alcohol use disorders.
In a closer look at 188 patients tracked for about four months, there was no increase in alcohol intake after they started their GLP-1 treatments. Some patients reported feeling too full to enjoy a drink post-dinner and noted they drank at a slower pace.
“The results of this study suggest that they may have identified a therapeutic target for treating alcohol use disorders,” Le Roux shared.
This suggests that the experience of drinking might not be particularly enjoyable as it leads to a slower absorption of alcohol. A number of patients also noted that alcoholic drinks didn’t appeal to their taste as much and that hangovers felt worse.
These findings collectively indicate that weight loss drugs might act as a sort of “guardrail,” helping patients manage alcohol intake more effectively.
Potential Limitations
However, the study does have its downsides, as pointed out by researchers. They noted that the patient group was relatively small, and self-reported alcohol intake verification posed challenges, especially with one-third of participants unavailable for follow-ups. Also, without control groups, it’s hard to definitively say that the weight loss drugs directly caused decreased alcohol consumption.
Le Roux emphasized the need for randomized controlled trials featuring diverse patient populations, particularly those diagnosed with alcohol use disorders, to gather comprehensive data for potential medications targeting these issues. Ongoing trials are expected in Denmark.
The Meaning of Research
Le Roux pointed out that a major challenge in current treatments for alcohol use disorders is patient compliance. Alcohol cravings often come in waves, which means that while a patient might stick to their treatment for a while, they might falter when cravings hit.
Current medications approved by the FDA for alcohol use disorders include naltrexone, which minimizes cravings by dulling the “buzz” from drinking; disulfiram, which causes unpleasant reactions when consuming alcohol; and acamprosate, which helps restore hormonal balance in the brain.
Despite these options, statistics show that fewer than 10% of individuals with alcohol use disorders receive adequate treatment, and many return to drinking within the first year. The convenience of GLP-1 agonists—requiring administration only once a week—adds to their appeal.
Experts suggest that these findings could indicate new avenues for treating alcohol use disorders. “This study points to supplementary benefits of GLP-1 medications in controlling alcohol cravings,” a doctor from Massachusetts General Hospital, who was not involved in the research, remarked.
While further study is necessary to clarify the mechanisms at play, the potential benefits of GLP-1 analogs may extend beyond just treating obesity.
