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HealthOral Semaglutide Significantly Reduces Heavy Drinking Days in Alcohol Use Disorder Trial
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A clinical trial from the University of Colorado Anschutz found that oral semaglutide, the medication behind Ozempic and Wegovy, significantly reduced heavy drinking days, alcohol consumption per occasion, daily cravings, and alcohol-related problems in 50 adults with moderate-to-severe alcohol use disorder. No new medication has been approved for this condition since 2006, making this a potential breakthrough. Participants also used cannabis less, and the drug was well-tolerated with mild side effects. Researchers are planning larger, longer-term trials to confirm findings and establish optimal dosing. The condition affects 27.9 million people in the U.S. annually, yet only three FDA-approved medications exist for its treatment.
Source report
Topline
A clinical trial from the University of Colorado Anschutz has found that oral semaglutide—the medication behind Ozempic and Wegovy, used to treat diabetes and promote weight loss—can reduce heavy drinking in adults with alcohol use disorder. The findings represent a potential breakthrough for a condition that currently has few approved treatment options.
Key Facts
- A trial conducted by CU Anschutz found that oral semaglutide reduced heavy drinking days, lowered alcohol consumption per occasion, decreased daily cravings, and reduced alcohol-related problems in 50 adults with moderate-to-severe alcohol use disorder.
- No new medication has been approved for alcohol use disorder since 2006, making this trial a significant clinical step for a condition that remains chronically undertreated.
- According to Dr. Joseph Schnacht, semaglutide could help patients who have exhausted existing options, stating that the medication “could represent a new treatment option for alcohol use disorder, particularly for those who have not benefited from existing medications.”
- Participants in the study also used cannabis less. Semaglutide was generally well-tolerated, with mostly mild side effects and high adherence.
What to Watch For
CU Anschutz and researchers at other institutions are planning larger, longer-term trials to confirm the findings and establish optimal dosing of semaglutide for alcohol use disorder.
Big Number
3 — That is the number of medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of alcohol use disorder, according to the University of Colorado.
Key Background
Alcohol use disorder affects tens of millions of people. According to data from the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 27.9 million people ages 12 and older experienced the condition in the past year. The disorder is characterized by difficulty controlling drinking despite serious personal consequences.
The CU Anschutz team deliberately chose the oral formulation of semaglutide. Injectable versions of the drug had previously been tested for alcohol use disorder and shown similar effects, but researchers believed a pill would be more acceptable to the patient population.
Further Reading
- Alcohol Use Disorder Can Be Treated With an Array of Medications – But Few People Have Heard of Them (Forbes)
Source
Forbes - BusinessWestern
Part of this Story
Oral Semaglutide Shows Promise in Treating Alcohol Use Disorder in New Trial