A brand new examine means that utilizing weight reduction medication akin to Ozempic and Wegovy can result in much less alcohol consumption.
The examine, revealed Wednesday by JAMA Psychiatry, appeared into 48 individuals the medical journal described as “non–treatment-seeking” contributors who are suffering from alcohol use dysfunction (AUD). Half of the contributors got semaglutide, the lively ingredient in weight reduction medication, for 9 weeks. The others obtained a placebo.
On the finish of the analysis interval, each teams had been introduced with their most well-liked alcoholic beverage however got the choice to refuse the drink for no less than 50 minutes with the intention to obtain “monetary reinforcement.” Following the pause, the contributors had been instructed to devour the beverage “at their preferred pace” over a two-hour span, per the examine.
Researchers, after the experiment, discovered that those that took the low dose semaglutide seemingly drank much less alcohol than these with the placebo.
“Over 9 weeks of treatment, semaglutide led to reductions in some but not all measures of weekly consumption, significantly reduced weekly alcohol craving relative to placebo, and led to greater relative reductions in cigarettes per day in a subgroup of participants with current cigarette use,” the JAMA examine reads.
Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound, amongst others, work by imitating a hormone referred to as GLP-1, which stimulates insulin secretion and may decrease urge for food. The medication, initially authorised for remedy of diabetes, have additionally been identified to assist deal with weight problems.
Final 12 months, one other examine revealed in JAMA Psychiatry discovered that semaglutide medication “substantially decreased” alcohol-related hospitalization danger for a bunch of individuals in Sweden with AUD and Kind 2 diabetes.
The medication have additionally been identified to reduce the dangers of different medical points, together with potential dying danger from COVID-19.
