Randomized Trial Supports Semaglutide for Alcohol Use Disorder

Observational evidence has suggested that glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists might improve outcomes for patients with alcohol use disorder. The mechanism is thought to involve the brain’s reward system, which is involved in addictive behavior and, it turns out, is chock-full of GLP-1 receptors. Now, randomized trial data are beginning to emerge.

In this study, researchers randomized ≈100 treatment-seeking patients with alcohol use disorder and obesity to once-weekly semaglutide (titrated to 2.4 mg) or placebo for 26 weeks. All participants received cognitive behavioral therapy; most met diagnostic criteria for severe alcohol use disorder.