Semaglutide as a Potential Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder

A study published in JAMA Psychiatry (refer to the article by Hendershot et al. linked at the end of this blog) found that semaglutide (widely known as Ozempic, Rybelsus, or Wegovy), a drug used for diabetes and obesity, might also be effective in treating alcohol use disorder (AUD).

📉 What Did the Study Find?

Researchers at the University of North Carolina and the University of Southern California conducted a randomized study involving 48 adults with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). These participants were assigned to receive either weekly injections of semaglutide or a placebo over a nine-week period. Notably, the individuals in the study were not actively seeking treatment, thereby highlighting the significance of the observed effects.

Key findings included:

• Reduced alcohol consumption: Participants receiving semaglutide drank less during a lab-based self-administration task, showing medium to large reductions in grams of alcohol consumed and breath alcohol concentration.

• Fewer drinks per drinking day and lower alcohol cravings were reported throughout the trial.

• In participants who smoked tobacco, semaglutide was also associated with fewer cigarettes per day over time.

🧠 Why It Matters

Despite the substantial number of people with diagnosable Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), fewer than 2% of affected individuals receive FDA-approved medications. The introduction of GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as semaglutide, has the potential to address this treatment gap, especially given their increasing popularity and acceptance within primary care settings.

Furthermore, the medication’s ability to reduce alcohol consumption without requiring participants to intend to cut back indicates that it may be particularly beneficial in early intervention contexts or for individuals who are uncertain about making changes.

⚠️ What’s Next?

Although the results were promising, the study had limitations due to a small participant sample and short treatment duration. Future research should involve larger populations treated over extended periods with various doses of semaglutide. Until further studies are conducted, the medication remains investigational for AUD indications but is recognized as an effective treatment for diabetes and obesity.

This research represents exciting progress in the potential repurposing of GLP-1 medications for addiction medicine, an area that has not had a new FDA-approved treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder in over twenty years.

Meanwhile, if you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol use disorder, there are several highly effective treatments available. These include Vivitrol (injectable Naltrexone), Acamprosate, and Disulfiram. Furthermore, counseling plays a crucial role in treatment. We provide these treatments, which can help in successfully achieving sobriety.

If you have any questions, please contact us at (615) 674-0909.

The following link navigates to the Hendershot study referenced: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2024.4789