A recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry indicates that semaglutide, a drug known for its use in diabetes and weight management, may also be effective in reducing alcohol consumption and cravings among individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD). The findings suggest a potential new avenue for addressing this widespread and challenging condition.
Semaglutide's Impact on Alcohol Consumption
The study, led by researchers at the University of Southern California and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, involved 48 adults with AUD who were not actively seeking treatment. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either weekly injections of semaglutide or a placebo for nine weeks. The semaglutide dosage was gradually increased, starting at 0.25 mg per week and reaching 1.0 mg in the final week.
During the trial, participants visited a lab designed to mimic a living room, complete with a stocked bar, where their alcohol consumption was monitored. Results showed that those receiving semaglutide consumed approximately 40% less alcohol than those on the placebo. Furthermore, the semaglutide group reported a significant reduction in weekly alcohol cravings and fewer heavy drinking days.
Key Findings and Implications
"We hoped to see a reduction in drinking and craving," said Dr. Christian Hendershot, director of clinical research at the USC Institute for Addiction Science and the lead author of the study. "What I didn't expect was the magnitude of the effects looks fairly good compared to other alcohol-use disorder medications."
The study also revealed that semaglutide did not significantly affect the number of days participants chose to drink alcohol, but rather the amount they consumed on those days. This suggests that semaglutide may primarily target the rewarding aspects of alcohol consumption, rather than the underlying motivations for drinking.
Broader Effects and Future Research
Interestingly, a subset of participants who smoked cigarettes also reported a reduction in their daily cigarette consumption while taking semaglutide. This finding hints at the potential for GLP-1 receptor agonists to address multiple addictive behaviors simultaneously.
Dr. Lorenzo Leggio, a physician-scientist at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), emphasized the need for further research to understand the mechanisms of action of semaglutide in AUD. "More research is needed to understand the mechanism(s) of action of these medications in AUD," Leggio stated. "Nonetheless, the work done now suggests that mechanisms may include their effect in reducing alcohol craving and in reducing the rewarding effects of alcohol."
Addressing an Unmet Need
Alcohol use disorder affects nearly 30 million people in the United States, yet fewer than 2% receive treatment with FDA-approved medications. The limited awareness of existing treatments and the stigma associated with AUD contribute to this treatment gap. Semaglutide, already widely recognized for its effectiveness in treating diabetes and obesity, could potentially overcome these barriers and offer a more accessible and acceptable treatment option for individuals with AUD.
Ongoing and Future Studies
Several ongoing and planned clinical trials aim to further investigate the potential of GLP-1 receptor agonists in treating AUD. Novo Nordisk is evaluating semaglutide's effects on alcohol consumption as part of a trial in alcohol-related liver disease, while Eli Lilly plans to initiate large studies in alcohol abuse, nicotine use, and drug abuse. These studies will help determine the optimal dosage, treatment duration, and safety profile of GLP-1 receptor agonists for AUD, as well as their effectiveness in diverse patient populations.
