For years, people using Ozempic (and similar medications) for diabetes and weight loss have noticed something unexpected: the drugs seem to reduce their alcohol consumption. Now, the first clinical trial has confirmed this effect, though the study was small and short-term.
The trial involved 48 people showing signs of moderate alcohol-use disorder (AUD). Those who took low doses of semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic) for nine weeks drank less alcohol and experienced fewer cravings, compared to those who received a placebo. The findings were published in JAMA Psychiatry.
Previous research in animals and real-world use had suggested that GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic could help lower alcohol consumption. This trial adds evidence to that theory, showing significant reductions in drinking. Dr. Christian Hendershot, the study’s lead author, was surprised by the magnitude of the effect, which was stronger than many other treatments for AUD.
AUD affects nearly 30 million people in the U.S., and experts are increasingly highlighting the health risks of alcohol, including its links to cancer. This new research raises the question of whether Ozempic and similar drugs could become a viable treatment for AUD, though larger trials are needed to confirm these findings.
Currently, there are only three FDA-approved medications for AUD, but fewer than 2% of people with AUD use them. This is partly due to a lack of awareness and stigma around treatment. Semaglutide, sold as Ozempic and Wegovy, works by mimicking hormones that control appetite and insulin, and might help with alcohol cravings by affecting both the brain and the gut.
The study participants were not actively seeking treatment for AUD but met certain drinking criteria, like consuming over a set number of drinks per week. Half of them received weekly injections of semaglutide, while the other half received a placebo. After nine weeks, those on semaglutide drank about 40% less alcohol and reported reduced cravings.
However, the study found that semaglutide did not affect the frequency of drinking days—just the amount consumed on those days. Some experts see this as a positive step for AUD treatment, as many people don’t want complete abstinence but rather a reduction in drinking. Additionally, participants on semaglutide lost about 5% of their body weight, but it’s unclear if weight loss had any impact on alcohol reduction.
While the results are promising, researchers caution that more studies are needed, especially to understand how side effects like nausea might affect alcohol consumption. The pharmaceutical companies behind these drugs, like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, are also conducting further trials, including looking at alcohol-related liver disease and smoking cessation.
In short, this study suggests that Ozempic and similar drugs could help reduce alcohol consumption for people with AUD, but more research is needed to confirm these benefits and explore the mechanisms behind them.
