Scientists reveal surprising additional benefit with Ozempic use: it’s not just about aiding weight loss

Studies have shown that Ozempic, the popular weight-loss drug, may also help curb alcohol use.

Published in JAMA Psychiatry, a study involving 48 individuals showing signs of moderate alcohol-use disorder revealed that those who took low doses of semaglutide—the generic form of Ozempic—for nine weeks experienced significantly greater reductions in alcohol consumption and cravings compared to those given a placebo.

‘The effects of Ozempic look fairly good’

“We hoped to see a reduction in drinking and craving. What I didn’t expect was the magnitude of the effects look fairly good … compared to other alcohol-use disorder medications" said Dr. Christian Hendershot, director of clinical research at the USC Institute for Addiction Science and the lead author of the study.

A study showed that Semaglutide, a drug sold to combat type 2 diabetes, was also tested with positive results: “More research is needed to understand the mechanism(s) of action of these medications in AUD,” Dr. Lorenzo Leggio, a physician-scientist at the National Institutes of Health told CNN. “Nonetheless, the work done now suggests that mechanisms may include their effect in reducing alcohol craving and in reducing the rewarding effects of alcohol.”

Whether or not Ozempic and similar drugs offer a new treatment approach for AUD will depend on larger trials involving patients more severely affected by the disorder, and possibly on research that provides a deeper understanding of how these medications help reduce alcohol consumption.

Alcohol usage is a huge problem in the US: according to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, alcohol-use disorder, or AUD, affects almost 30 million people in the United States.

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