The active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy was linked to reduced cravings for drinking alcohol among people with alcohol use disorder, according to a small study published Wednesday in the journal JAMA Psychiatry, supporting earlier research suggesting Novo Nordisk’s popular diabetes and weight loss drug could treat alcoholism.
Some participants also reported smoking fewer cigarettes on average per day, researchers noted.
About 40% of participants who took the drug semaglutide in a nine-week study—which involved 48 adults with alcohol use disorder—reported no days drinking five or more alcoholic drinks, compared to 20% among those who received a placebo, researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill said.
Those who received semaglutide reported drinking about 30% fewer drinks on the days they drank compared to their regular drinking habits, while those who took a placebo reported a slight decrease, according to the study.
During a final drinking session at the end of the experiment, researchers said those who received a placebo drank just under 60 grams of alcohol—a 12-ounce can of beer has roughly 14 grams—whereas participants on semaglutide drank about 30 grams.
A small subgroup of participants who smoked cigarettes also reported a 10% reduction in average cigarettes smoked per day while using semaglutide.
Though semaglutide appeared to reduce drinking habits, the study noted additional clinical studies with more people are necessary to better understand the drug’s effects, including testing among heavier drinkers.
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An observational study published in November 2024 found semaglutide resulted in a “substantially” decreased risk of alcohol-related hospitalizations, suggesting the drug “may be effective” in treating alcohol use disorder. A study published in June 2024 found semaglutide “significantly reduced” alcohol cravings among monkeys. Researchers found that, among a group of 10 monkeys who received semaglutide and had access to alcohol for four hours each day for two weeks, water and food intake was unchanged. Another study published in 2019 found semaglutide appeared to lessen alcohol cravings among rodents.
Alcohol use disorder, often referred to as alcoholism, is a condition in which a person has an impaired ability to stop or control their consumption of alcohol despite adverse consequences. The risk of developing alcohol use disorder is related to how much, how often and how quickly alcohol is consumed, though studies suggest drinking at an earlier age and genetics could affect drinking habits, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. An estimated 28.9 million people ages 12 and older had alcohol use disorder in 2023, the group said. The Food and Drug Administration has approved three medications to help people stop or reduce their drinking.
Possible additional benefits of Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic and Wegovy have been increasingly studied in recent years. Ozempic has been approved by the FDA for treating type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease and is used off-label for weight loss, while Wegovy received approval for weight loss and lowering the risk of cardiovascular events like heart attacks or strokes. Both drugs belong to a class of medications known as GLP-1 agonists, which mimic the function of a gut hormone used for regulating blood sugar and appetite. The drugs have exploded in popularity for assisting patients with weight loss, but other potential benefits have emerged in recent years. Studies suggest GLP-1 drugs could be used to boost mood, cognitive function and alleviate symptoms among patients with Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, dementia, bipolar disorder and anxiety.