Health and Me

Rachel V Thomas

Can GLP-1 Drugs Like Ozempic Treat Alcohol Use Disorder? US Launches Veterans Trial

Blockbuster GLP-1 drugs, with semaglutide as the key ingredient, have shown promise in treating conditions ranging from <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/diabetes">diabetes</a></span> and <span>obesity</span> to certain cancers.

Now, US researchers are set to test whether semaglutide can also help treat <span>alcohol use disorder</span> (<span>AUD</span>), particularly among <span>veterans</span>. AUD affects an estimated 400 million people worldwide, or about 7% of people aged 15 years and older. 

The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced a new clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of semaglutide in treating AUD and is aimed directly at benefiting Veterans. 

"By exploring emerging treatment options like the use of a GLP-1 for AUD, we aim to expand the tools available to help Veterans take control of their health and recovery," said VA Secretary Doug Collins. 

Currently, more than 400,000 US veterans have been diagnosed with AUD, while an estimated 11% of US adults are affected by the condition.

<h2>What Does the Trial Aim to Find? </h2>

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/glp-1-weight-loss-drugs-show-promise-for-17-million-with-binge-eating-disorder-suggests-study-article-155109275" data-type="tilCustomLink">GLP-1 Weight-Loss Drugs Show Promise for 17 Million With Binge Eating Disorder, Suggests Study</a>

The study, called the Cessation or Reduction of Alcohol Consumption in Veterans (CRACV) trial, will enroll more than 600 veterans across 18 VA medical centers in the US. 

Participants aged 18 to 80 with moderate or severe AUD will receive weekly injections of either semaglutide or a placebo for 24 weeks, followed by a safety follow-up period. 

Researchers will assess changes in alcohol consumption, overall health, and quality of life to determine whether semaglutide could become a new treatment option for alcohol use disorder. 

<h2>Oral Semaglutide May Help Reduce Heavy Drinking </h2>

Evidence is also emerging that GLP-1 medications may influence alcohol consumption. A Phase 2 clinical trial published in the American Journal of Psychiatry in July suggests that oral semaglutide may help reduce heavy and harmful drinking, even among people who are not trying to quit alcohol completely.

The trial included 50 adults with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder who wanted to reduce or stop drinking. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either daily oral semaglutide or a placebo for eight weeks. 

The semaglutide dose increased from 3 mg per day during the first four weeks to 7 mg per day during the remaining four weeks. 

<strong>Read More: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/glp-1-microdosing-people-are-experimenting-with-weight-loss-drugs-what-do-experts-have-to-say-about-it-article-155188076" data-type="tilCustomLink">GLP-1 Microdosing: People Are Experimenting With Weight Loss Drugs &amp; What Do Experts Have To Say About It?</a>

While semaglutide did not significantly reduce laboratory-assessed craving or the average number of drinks per day compared with placebo, it significantly reduced heavy drinking days.

Compared with participants receiving placebo, those taking semaglutide had fewer heavy drinking days during the final four weeks of treatment. They also consumed fewer drinks on drinking days and reported greater reductions in everyday alcohol cravings and alcohol-related negative consequences. 

"It could represent a new treatment option for alcohol use disorder, particularly for those who have not benefited from existing medications, and may reduce alcohol-related health and social harms. Importantly, even reducing heavy drinking can lead to meaningful improvements for patients and families," said Joseph Schacht, PhD, professor of psychiatry at the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine. 

Health Conditions A-Z

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GLP 1 Drugs

Ozempic

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alcohol use disorder

obesity

diabetes

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Blockbuster GLP-1 drugs, with semaglutide as the key ingredient, have shown promise in treating conditions ranging from diabetes and obesity to certain cancers. Now, US researchers are set to test whether semaglutide can also help treat alcohol use disorder (AUD), particularly among veterans. AUD affects an estimated 400 million people worldwide, or about 7% of people aged 15 years and older. The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced a new clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of semaglutide in treating AUD and is aimed directly at benefiting Veterans. "By exploring emerging treatment options like the use of a GLP-1 for AUD, we aim to expand the tools available to help Veterans take control of their health and recovery," said VA Secretary Doug Collins. Currently, more than 400,000 US veterans have been diagnosed with AUD, while an estimated 11% of US adults are affected by the condition. What Does the Trial Aim to Find? Also read: GLP-1 Weight-Loss Drugs Show Promise for 17 Million With Binge Eating Disorder, Suggests StudyThe study, called the Cessation or Reduction of Alcohol Consumption in Veterans (CRACV) trial, will enroll more than 600 veterans across 18 VA medical centers in the US. Participants aged 18 to 80 with moderate or severe AUD will receive weekly injections of either semaglutide or a placebo for 24 weeks, followed by a safety follow-up period. Researchers will assess changes in alcohol consumption, overall health, and quality of life to determine whether semaglutide could become a new treatment option for alcohol use disorder.  Oral Semaglutide May Help Reduce Heavy Drinking Evidence is also emerging that GLP-1 medications may influence alcohol consumption. A Phase 2 clinical trial published in the American Journal of Psychiatry in July suggests that oral semaglutide may help reduce heavy and harmful drinking, even among people who are not trying to quit alcohol completely. The trial included 50 adults with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder who wanted to reduce or stop drinking. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either daily oral semaglutide or a placebo for eight weeks. The semaglutide dose increased from 3 mg per day during the first four weeks to 7 mg per day during the remaining four weeks. Read More: GLP-1 Microdosing: People Are Experimenting With Weight Loss Drugs & What Do Experts Have To Say About It?While semaglutide did not significantly reduce laboratory-assessed craving or the average number of drinks per day compared with placebo, it significantly reduced heavy drinking days. Compared with participants receiving placebo, those taking semaglutide had fewer heavy drinking days during the final four weeks of treatment. They also consumed fewer drinks on drinking days and reported greater reductions in everyday alcohol cravings and alcohol-related negative consequences. "It could represent a new treatment option for alcohol use disorder, particularly for those who have not benefited from existing medications, and may reduce alcohol-related health and social harms. Importantly, even reducing heavy drinking can lead to meaningful improvements for patients and families," said Joseph Schacht, PhD, professor of psychiatry at the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine. 