Patients taking semaglutide medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy, used to treat type 2 diabetes or obesity, may be consuming less food, but also, less alcohol.
The study, led by Dr. Jesse Richards from the OU-TU School of Community Medicine, reviewed six cases of people prescribed semaglutide for weight loss. These individuals reported a spontaneous decrease in both the quantity and frequency of alcohol consumption.
A new study published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry suggests that semaglutide, a medication commonly used for type 2 diabetes and weight loss, may also reduce alcohol cravings and help individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD).
The researchers used the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) to evaluate participants before and after semaglutide treatment. All participants experienced significant reductions in AUD symptoms, with an average drop of 9.5 points on the AUDIT scale.
Interestingly, the doses of semaglutide were much lower than those typically prescribed for diabetes or obesity. Five of the six participants were taking between 0.25 and 0.5 mg, well below the 2 mg and 2.4 mg doses used for diabetes and obesity, respectively.
Experts, like Dr. Christian Hendershot from UNC, believe these findings align with reports of decreased drinking among patients taking GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide. The study opens new avenues for exploring the potential of these medications in treating addiction, as they appear to alter brain reward pathways, which may impact not just food cravings but also addictive behaviors. However, further research is needed, and established behavioral treatments and FDA-approved medications for AUD remain the current standard of care.
While the findings of this study are interesting, Dr. Korman’s area of expertise is utilizing weight loss options to treat obesity. If you or a loved one are struggling with obesity, contact our office today.
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