Popular weight-loss drug may help beat a harmful habit
A University of Colorado study found that semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, may reduce the frequency of heavy drinking episodes in people with alcohol dependence. The experiment involved 50 participants split into two groups: one received a placebo, the other semaglutide for eight weeks. Although overall alcohol cravings and average daily consumption did not change, those taking the drug reported fewer heavy drinking episodes and experienced fewer negative consequences. The results open avenues for further research.
A study conducted by researchers at the University of Colorado has shown that medications based on semaglutide, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, may help combat alcohol dependence. The experiment involved 50 people with alcohol use disorder (moderate to severe). Participants were divided into two groups: the first received a placebo for eight weeks, the second received semaglutide in various doses once a day. Although tests for overall alcohol cravings did not reveal a sharp difference between the groups, and average daily alcohol consumption remained roughly the same, scientists recorded important positive changes: participants taking semaglutide reported significantly fewer heavy drinking episodes, and the episodes themselves were accompanied by fewer negative consequences. The findings open prospects for further large-scale studies, and in the future, GLP-1 class drugs may become reliable aids in comprehensive therapy for alcohol dependence. The article references a publication by hvg.