Semaglutide could help people with alcohol use disorder

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2024-11-14 03:00

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People with alcohol use disorder who are taking the diabetes/obesity drugs semaglutide and liraglutide may be less likely to be hospitalised for their alcohol use disorder, according to Swedish data. The study used data from over 200,000 people with problematic alcohol use and found that people taking semaglutide and liraglutide had lower rates of hospitalisation for alcohol use. The researchers found these drugs were able to lower the risk of hospitalisation more than officially approved alcohol use disorder medications. The authors say randomised clinical trials are needed to verify these initial findings.

Media release

From: JAMA

Repurposing Semaglutide and Liraglutide for Alcohol Use Disorder

JAMA Psychiatry
Brief Report

About The Study: Among patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and comorbid obesity/type 2 diabetes, the use of semaglutide and liraglutide were associated with a substantially decreased risk of hospitalization due to AUD. This risk was lower than that of officially approved AUD medications. Semaglutide and liraglutide may be effective in the treatment of AUD, and clinical trials are urgently needed to confirm these findings.

(10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2024.3599)

Editor’s Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.

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Journal/
conference: JAMA Psychiatry

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: University of Eastern Finland, Finland

Funder: This study used data from the REWHARD consortium supported by the Swedish Research Council (grant 2021-00154). Dr Taipale was funded by Sigrid Jusélius Foundation.

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