As more Americans turn to GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy for type-2 diabetes and weight loss, researchers are deepening their understanding of the drugs' side effects.
According to a new, small, first-of-its-kind study that was funded by the government, Ozempic and Wegovy may reduce the desire to drink alcohol. While the findings are preliminary, they add to growing evidence that GLP-1 receptor agonists could play a role in treating addiction. Here's what the study found and what to know if you're taking one of these drugs.
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Alcohol Use & Semaglutide: What the Study Found
The new research, published Jan. 12, 2025 in the journal JAMA Psychiatry, was a randomized clinical trial funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, which is part of the National Institutes of Health.
Considering these drugs mimic the hormone GLP-1 in the brain and gut to curb appetite, slow stomach emptying, and regulate insulin, scientists wanted to understand their effect on alcohol consumption and cravings.
The researchers wondered, "Does the glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist semaglutide reduce alcohol consumption and craving in adults with alcohol use disorder (AUD)?"
To find out, they enlisted 48 overweight people with signs of moderate AUD who struggled to control their drinking but were not actively seeking treatment. Some of these participants were also smokers.
Each person was served their favorite alcoholic beverage in a lab setting and allowed to drink freely for two hours. Then, they were randomly assigned to receive either weekly semaglutide injections (like Ozempic or Wegovy) or a placebo.
Over the course of nine weeks, participants tracked their alcohol consumption and cravings before repeating the lab test at the end of the study.
The results were significant:
- 40% of participants receiving semaglutide reported no heavy drinking days, compared to 20% in the placebo group.
- During the final lab test, the semaglutide group drank half as much alcohol, on average, as those who received a placebo.
What This Means for Those Taking Ozempic and Wegovy
"This is such promising data. And we need more of it," admitted study co-author Dr. Klara Klein, of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. "We frequently will hear that once people start these medications that their desire to drink is very reduced, if not completely abolished."
Still, the study itself was small, and more research in the field needs to be done.
For instance, scientists are already investigating GLP-1 drugs and their association with smoking, opioid, and cocaine addictions. In the world of alcohol addiction, it's clear that larger, long-term studies are necessary before making any broad conclusions.
Still, as research deepens on Ozempic and Wegovy, the potential for these medications to address addiction could reshape how the medical world approaches alcohol and substance use disorders in the future.
"Until larger studies confirm these findings, people should talk to their doctor about existing treatment options," Dr. Hendershot said.
Plus, you should consider all of the other reported side effects of these drugs and discuss those with your primary care doctor as well.
