Ozempic and other weight loss drugs could help alcoholics, too

The Potential of GLP-1 Medications in Treating Substance Abuse 

Professor Christian Hendershot, who led the trial, told Bloomberg that the drug’s effect was stronger than any approved medications for alcoholism. The study has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal.

These findings suggest that semaglutide could be a game changer for the over 46 million Americans battling a substance abuse disorder.

For GLP-1s to get regulatory approval to be used for addiction, larger studies that only Big Pharma can fund are still needed.

But for now, it seems like Big Pharma isn’t interested in pursuing this use of GLP-1s. Novo Nordisk is the only pharmaceutical company that is currently studying alcohol consumption, in a trial that examines semaglutide’s effect on liver damage.

Bloomberg’s Lisa Jarvis noted that there isn’t much money in treatments for addiction. The opioid and alcohol dependence treatment Vivitrol only made $400 million in sales last year.

Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley analysts anticipate the global market for GLP-1s, which are currently approved to treat diabetes and obesity, will reach $105 billion by 2030.

GLP-1s mimic a gut and brain hormone that suppresses appetite and helps stop cravings.

A recent survey from Morgan Stanley found that people using GLP-1 drugs — among them Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound — reduced their consumption of tobacco and alcohol while taking the medications.

About 56 to 62% of alcohol consumers on GLP-1s reported drinking less alcohol since starting the medications, with about 14-18% cutting their alcohol consumption entirely.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol
   • Indicator 3.5.1: Coverage of treatment interventions (pharmacological, psychosocial, and rehabilitation and aftercare services) for substance use disorders

2. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships
   • Indicator 17.17.1: Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private and civil society partnerships

The article addresses the issue of using GLP-1 medications to help people with substance abuse disorders. This is connected to SDG 3, specifically Target 3.5, which aims to strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse. The article discusses a study that found people with alcohol use disorder drank less after taking semaglutide, the active ingredient in Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic. This indicates progress towards Target 3.5.

The article also mentions that larger studies funded by Big Pharma are needed for GLP-1s to get regulatory approval for addiction treatment. This highlights the importance of partnerships, which is addressed in SDG 17, particularly Target 17.17. The article mentions that Novo Nordisk is currently studying alcohol consumption in a trial that examines semaglutide’s effect on liver damage, indicating progress towards Target 17.17.

The indicators mentioned in the article include:

• Indicator 3.5.1: Coverage of treatment interventions for substance use disorders – The study mentioned in the article shows the potential of GLP-1 medications like semaglutide in reducing alcohol consumption in people with alcohol use disorder.
• Indicator 17.17.1: Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private and civil society partnerships – The article mentions that larger studies funded by Big Pharma are needed for GLP-1s to get regulatory approval for addiction treatment, highlighting the need for financial commitments from pharmaceutical companies.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: qz.com