Key points from article :
A new study published in JAMA Psychiatry suggests that weight-loss medications such as semaglutide could help reduce alcohol intake, offering a potential new treatment for alcohol use disorder. The drug, originally developed for type 2 diabetes and now widely used for obesity treatment under the brand name Wegovy, was found to cut alcohol consumption by about 40% and significantly reduce cravings. This aligns with anecdotal reports from patients and doctors who have observed a sudden drop in the desire to drink while using the medication.
The clinical trial, led by Klara Klein from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, involved 48 participants with alcohol use disorder who were not actively seeking treatment. Participants received weekly injections of either semaglutide or a placebo for nine weeks. The results showed that those given semaglutide drank less, had a lower alcohol concentration in their breath, and experienced a significant decline in alcohol cravings. Nearly 40% of the semaglutide group reported no heavy drinking days in the last month of treatment, compared to just 20% in the placebo group.
Experts believe semaglutide may work by dampening brain signals that drive cravings for both food and alcohol. While these initial findings are promising, Klein emphasized the need for larger and longer studies to fully assess the drug’s effectiveness and safety in treating alcohol dependence. Meanwhile, public health experts caution that addressing alcohol addiction also requires broader societal changes, including policies on affordability and marketing.
