Ozempic and Wegovy, brand names for semaglutide, have taken the world by storm, with many referring to them as "wonder drugs." Originally developed to help manage blood sugar levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes, semaglutide has quickly become popular for its additional benefits in weight loss.
Now, a new study published on November 13, 2024, suggests that it can also help curb alcohol addiction in some people.
About The Study
The cohort study published in the JAMA Psychiatry was conducted in Sweden from January 2006 to December 2023, in which researchers explored the effectiveness of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists, such as semaglutide and liraglutide, in treating Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD).
The study included 2,27,866 individuals aged 16-64 years with a diagnosis of AUD. It found that the use of GLP-1 agonists was associated with a significantly lower risk of hospitalisation due to AUD. Among the drugs, semaglutide was the most effective, reducing the risk of AUD-related hospitalisation by 36%, followed by liraglutide, which reduced the risk by 28%.
Researchers also noted that semaglutide and liraglutide were associated with a lower risk of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) hospitalisations, with semaglutide showing a 32% reduction and liraglutide a 22% reduction.
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This has also been established in a previous study published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry on November 27, 2023. This case series examined six patients with AUD who were treated with semaglutide for weight loss. All patients had positive AUD screenings before starting semaglutide, with scores greater than 8 on the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT). After treatment, all six patients showed significant improvements in AUD symptoms, suggesting that GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide may help reduce AUD symptoms.
Additionally, both drugs reduced the risk of somatic hospitalisations, which are non-alcohol-related physical health issues, by approximately 20%. However, there was no significant association between the use of these medications and a decrease in suicide attempts.
How Does Semaglutide Work?
Semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, is an FDA-approved antidiabetic treatment under three brand names: Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus. It works by mimicking a natural hormone in the body that regulates blood sugar, appetite, and digestion. As a result, it not only helps people with diabetes control and manage their glucose levels but also promotes feelings of fullness, reducing overall calorie intake.
Because of its effectiveness in reducing body weight, semaglutide has been approved as a long-term solution for weight management, making it a dual-purpose treatment for both diabetes and obesity. However, its growing popularity has sparked widespread discussions as well as controversies.
Other Potential Benefits Of Semaglutide
In addition to blood sugar management and obesity control, semaglutide may have other potential benefits, particularly in reducing the risk of chronic health conditions.
A studypublished in The New England Journal of Medicine in May 2024 found that semaglutide reduced the risk of major kidney disease events by 24% compared to the placebo. It also led to a slower decline in kidney function, with a 1.16 ml per minute per 1.73 m2 improvement in eGFR (a measure of kidney function), the researchers noted, adding that semaglutide reduced the risk of cardiovascular death by 29% and the risk of major cardiovascular events by 18%.
Interestingly, another study of 1.22 million drug-naive patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) examined whether glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) reduce the risk of colorectal cancer compared to other antidiabetic medications. Over a 15-year follow-up, GLP-1RAs were linked to a lower risk of colorectal cancer compared to insulin, metformin, and other antidiabetic drugs, with the most significant reduction in patients with obesity or overweight.
Risks To Consider
It is important to understand that while semaglutide may offer benefits to some people, it may not be for everyone.
Experts suggest that it may also increase the risk of hypoglycemia when used with other antidiabetic medications like insulin. Rarely, semaglutide has been linked to acute pancreatitis, and individuals with a history of pancreatitis should avoid it. Additionally, animal studies suggest a potential risk of thyroid tumours, so people with a family history of medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 should not use it.
Common side effects include gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Semaglutide may also cause dehydration, potentially worsening kidney function in those with pre-existing kidney issues.
Therefore, it is best to consult your doctor before choosing to take semaglutide under any brand names.