Recent research published in Nature Communications has identified a potential new use for semaglutide, like Ozempic and Wegovy, a medication initially approved for type 2 diabetes and obesity, in treating alcohol use disorder (AUD).
Per the research, “Alcohol use disorders are among the top causes of the global burden of disease, yet therapeutic interventions are limited. Reduced desire to drink in patients treated with semaglutide has raised interest regarding its potential therapeutic benefits for alcohol use disorders.”
A comprehensive retrospective cohort study analyzing electronic health records of over 682,000 patients revealed that those treated with semaglutide had a 50%-56% lower risk of developing or relapsing into AUD over 12 months compared to those using other anti-obesity or anti-diabetes medications.
The study’s findings were consistent across various patient groups, including people of different ages, genders and races and, regardless of diabetic status [1]. This broad applicability is significant, suggesting semaglutide’s potential as a universal treatment option for AUD.
The results align with reports from patient information, which indicate a decreased desire to drink alcohol while on semaglutide.
While these findings open a promising new avenue for AUD treatment, a field where effective options are scarce, it’s crucial to approach them with caution.
The study’s observational nature means it can suggest correlations but not causality. Also, the patient data came from those engaged with specific healthcare systems, which may not represent the general population.
The need for randomized controlled trials is paramount. Such trials would help confirm semaglutide’s effectiveness and safety in treating AUD, providing a more straightforward path toward its potential approval for this use.
As AUD continues to pose a significant public health challenge, innovative treatments like semaglutide could be vital in reducing its impact [2].
In addition, the study’s methodology, based on a large-scale analysis of electronic health records, provides a robust data set that enhances the reliability of the findings. However, the historical design limits the ability to determine the direct causative effects of semaglutide on AUD outcomes.
Despite these limitations, the substantial reduction in AUD incidence and relapse rates associated with semaglutide use emphasizes its potential as a significant addition to the current treatment landscape, which is currently limited to a few FDA-approved medications with modest efficacy.
Future investigations will need to focus on the mechanisms of how semaglutide influences alcohol consumption behaviors. Preliminary theories suggest that the drug’s effects on the brain’s reward system, which is also involved in hunger and satiety signals, may reduce the cravings associated with alcohol use.
[1] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-48780-6
[2] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/371474481_Semaglutide_reduces_alcohol_intake_and_relapse-like_drinking_in_male_and_female_rats
