Weight-Loss Drugs Show Promise in Curbing Alcohol Use, Study Reveals

Weight-loss drugs like liraglutide and semaglutide, known as GLP-1 agonists, are making waves beyond shedding pounds. A recent study revealed these medications, primarily used for type 2 diabetes and obesity, may significantly curb alcohol consumption. Researchers from Ireland and Saudi Arabia tracked 262 adults with obesity, finding that regular drinkers slashed their weekly alcohol intake by a staggering 68%, dropping from 23 units to about 8 units after four months of treatment.

Published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism and presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Spain, the findings highlight how GLP-1 agonists mimic a gut hormone that tamps down the brain’s reward signals for both food and alcohol. Professor Carel Le Roux from University College Dublin explained that these drugs target GLP-1 receptors in the brain, dulling cravings and making drinking less appealing. Patients reported feeling full faster, disliking the taste of alcohol, and experiencing worse hangovers, creating natural barriers to overindulgence.

The study’s implications are profound: GLP-1 receptors could be a new frontier for treating alcohol use disorder, potentially complementing therapies like behavioral support. However, the research has limitations—its small sample size, lack of a control group, and reliance on self-reported data call for larger, randomized trials. One such trial is already underway in Denmark.

With only three FDA-approved drugs currently tackling alcohol use disorder—naltrexone, disulfiram, and acamprosate—compliance remains a hurdle due to fluctuating cravings. GLP-1 agonists, taken weekly, offer a steady effect that could improve adherence. Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity medicine expert, noted the findings open exciting possibilities for managing alcohol dependency, though more research is needed to confirm the mechanisms.