A new study shows that Ozempic, Vigovi and other GLP-1 drugs have been shown to block the effects of alcohol.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1) agonists—containing either semaglutide or liraglutide—are recommended for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity, but previous studies have shown that people taking them They report a reduction in alcohol consumption over time.
In a new study from the University of Eastern Finland and the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, researchers found that people with alcohol use disorder (AUD) were less likely to be hospitalized for conditions related to alcohol or substance use. It happens.
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Researchers analyzed decades of data from 228,000 people in Sweden with AUD, ages 16 to 64, according to a press release.
Studies show that people report reduced alcohol consumption when taking glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1) agonists. (iStock)
Among participants who had AUD, obesity and type 2 diabetes, use of GLP-1 medications was associated with a “significantly reduced risk of hospitalization for AUD,” the researchers wrote.
Patients taking semaglutide (such as Ozempic and Vigovi) showed a 36 percent lower risk, and those taking liraglutide (Vectoza) had a 28 percent lower risk.
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GLP-1 drugs have been shown to be more effective than naltrexone, which is considered the best drug for alcohol use disorder.
“Our study suggests that in addition to obesity and diabetes, GLP-1-agonists may also help in the treatment of alcohol and substance use disorders; however, these results need to be further validated in randomized controlled trials. “The study’s lead author, Marko Lihtenov, MD, of Forensic Psychiatry at the University of Eastern Finland and Niuvaniemi Hospital, said in the release.
In participants with alcohol use disorder, obesity and type 2 diabetes, use of GLP-1 medications was associated with a “substantially reduced risk of hospitalization for AUD,” the researchers wrote. (iStock)
This isn’t the first study to link GLP-1s to lower alcohol intake, according to Dr. Sue Dekotis, a weight loss doctor in New York City.
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“There have been a number of studies showing that GLP-1 reduces the desire to drink alcohol,” Dekotis, who was not involved in the Swedish study, told Fox News Digital.
“More than 50% of my patients on semaglutide and tarzeptide have very little desire to drink alcohol.”
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Decotiis also mentioned a new weight-loss drug — Retatrutide, made by Eli Lilly — that is said to be even more effective against alcohol addiction.
“All together, these drugs have been shown time and time again to improve overall, long-term health throughout the body,” he said.
Patients taking semaglutide (such as Ozempic and Vigovi) had a 36 percent lower risk of alcohol-related hospitalization, and those taking liraglutide (Vectoza) had a 28 percent lower risk. (iStock)
According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, about 28.9 million people aged 12 years and older had an AUD last year.
Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic and Wegovy, provided the following statement to Fox News Digital.
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“Novo Nordisk welcomes independent research investigating the safety, efficacy and clinical efficacy of our products. However, none of our semaglutide-containing products are indicated for the treatment of addiction-related diseases.”
According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, about 28.9 million people age 12 and older had an alcohol use disorder last year. (iStock)
“Importantly, our clinical studies were not designed to evaluate the effectiveness of semaglutide on alcohol use disorder and tobacco use disorder or other addiction-related diseases. We do not recommend our product to such patients. We support the prescribing of drugs that meet the indicated criteria and promote only FDA-approved indications for our drugs for appropriate patients.”
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Fox News Digital also reached out to the researchers of the study and Eli Lilly, the maker of retatrotide, requesting comment.
