The latest weight loss craze could also help people control their drinking, as suggested by a new study. Semaglutide treatments, including Ozempic and Wegovy, have demonstrated potential in reducing the symptoms of alcohol use disorder (AUD), according to a study published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry on Nov. 27. The collaborative research, conducted by The University of Oklahoma (OU) and Oklahoma State University (OSU), revealed a significant decrease in the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) scores of six patients who were undergoing semaglutide treatment for weight loss.
Dr. Jesse Richards, the lead author of the study, and director of obesity medicine and assistant professor of medicine at the OU-TU School of Community Medicine, shared that the study was motivated by a discussion with Dr. Kyle Simmons, professor of pharmacology and physiology at the OSU Center for Health Sciences.
These findings suggest a potentially beneficial off-label use of semaglutide for individuals struggling with both weight management and alcohol use disorder. While further research and clinical trials would be necessary to establish concrete treatment protocols, this study sheds light on the intersection of obesity, alcohol use disorder, and potential therapeutic pathways.
