New research finds that semaglutide medications like Ozempic and Wegovy may help to lower the risk of alcohol-related issues. More than 28 million adults in the U.S. struggle with alcohol, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, making this an important discovery.

The popular weight loss drugs have also been found to reduce other risks, including the risk of death from COVID-19.

Lähteenvuo notes that while more research is called for, drugs like Ozempic may offer hope to those burdened by addiction, “Our study suggests that besides obesity and diabetes, GLP-1-agonists may also help in the treatment of alcohol and substance use disorders; however, these findings need to be further validated in randomized controlled trials.”

A recent study found semaglutide – the drug known as Ozempic – can improve knee pain in people with obesity and osteoarthritis.

GLP-1 drugs have been linked to numerous potential health benefits like treatment of existing conditions including heart disease, Parkinson’s, sleep apnea and addiction.

The blockbuster GLP-1 drug semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) could curb drinking for people battling alcohol use disorder, helping them to avoid crises that require hospitalization, new research shows. Numerous studies had already hinted that semaglutide might act on appetite centers in the brain to suppress the urge to drink,

The blockbuster drugs Ozempic and Wegovy may help people cut back on drinking, new research published Wednesday in JAMA Psychiatry suggests.