Ozempic and other semaglutide drugs help people reduce their drinking, a new study has found.
The drugs, best known for their use in weight loss and diabetes treatment, also appeared to reduce how many cigarettes people smoked.
The study, completed by scientists at the University of Southern California, confirms anecdotal reports that Ozempic and Wegovy users were getting fewer cravings for alcohol.
Read more: Ozempic to Wegovy – what are the weight loss injections
Scientists at the University of Southern California monitored 48 people with alcohol use disorder, which can leave people with the inability to control their drinking despite negative consequences.
All of the women had had more than seven drinks in a week in the last month, as well as two or more heavy drinking episodes.
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The men had all had more than 14 drinks in a week in the last month, as well as two or more heavy drinking episodes.
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After the nine-week trial, the researchers found participants who had received low doses of semaglutide, instead of the placebo, had reduced their drinking.
The injections reduced weekly alcohol cravings, reduced average drinks on drinking days, and led to fewer heavy drinking days
In fact, the injections were more effective than existing medications used to treat drinking problems.
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The participants who smoked also saw significant reductions in how many cigarettes they smoked in a day.
More than 8,200 people died because of alcohol in 2023, according to data from Public Health England, a 42% rise on 2019. Alcohol is also a known cause of more than 60 illnesses.
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Two drugs currently approved to reduce alcohol consumption aren’t widely used.
“The popularity of Ozempic and other [similar drugs] increases the chances of broad adoption of these treatments for alcohol use disorder,” said Professor Christian Hendershot, who led the study.
