Ozempic: Weight loss drug may help with addiction too
Ozempic: Weight Loss Drug May Help With Addiction Too Newsweek
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Ozempic and Related Weight Loss Drugs Linked to Reduction in Substance Abuse
A recent study has found that Ozempic and related weight loss drugs may have potential benefits in helping individuals struggling with addiction. Researchers have discovered that these drugs are associated with a 40 percent reduction in opioid overdose and a 50 percent lower rate of alcohol intoxication.
The Role of Ozempic in Weight Loss
Ozempic is an injectable prescription drug primarily used to manage blood sugar levels in patients with Type 2 diabetes. However, it has gained attention for its side effect of promoting weight loss.
Ozempic and its sister drug, Wegovy, which has been approved by the FDA for chronic weight management, are based on a molecule called semaglutide. Semaglutide mimics the structure of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) that naturally occurs in our bodies. GLP-1 plays a crucial role in regulating appetite and blood sugar levels by activating specific receptors involved in these processes.
By mimicking GLP-1’s structure, semaglutide can also activate these receptors, leading to feelings of fullness and delaying stomach emptying. This effect reduces hunger and the likelihood of overeating.
The Potential Impact on Addiction
Researchers have hypothesized that semaglutide and GLP-1 mimics could alter the way our brains respond to addictive substances. These drugs interact with the mesolimbic system, a region of the brain involved in reward and addiction, suggesting a potential connection.
To investigate this further, researchers from Loyola University in Chicago conducted a study involving 503,747 patients with a history of opioid use disorder and 817,309 with a history of alcohol use disorder. Among these participants, 13,724 individuals had a prescription for Ozempic or a similar weight loss medication.
The study revealed that individuals with prescriptions for these medications had a 40 percent lower rate of opioid overdose and a 50 percent lower rate of alcohol intoxication compared to those without prescriptions.
Professor Matt Field from the University of Sheffield commented on the findings, stating that patients prescribed Ozempic for diabetes or obesity were less likely to be hospitalized for heroin overdose or alcohol intoxication. He emphasized that these results contribute to existing evidence from animal research, suggesting that these drugs could potentially be used to assist individuals with addiction.
However, Field noted that the study focused on extreme instances of substance abuse, such as overdose and hospitalization-required intoxication. Further research is needed to determine whether Ozempic and similar drugs can help individuals reduce their substance use or achieve complete abstinence.
Importance of Further Research
The study authors acknowledged that their findings were based on observational data, and it remains unclear whether the medications directly caused the reduction in hospitalizations. Nevertheless, they believe that these results should encourage additional research into the protective effects of Ozempic and similar drugs in treating patients with substance use disorders.
If you have any tips on science stories or questions about Ozempic and weight loss, please contact us at science@newsweek.com.
Reference
Qeadan, F., McCunn, A., & Tingey, B. (2024). The association between glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and/or glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist prescriptions and substance-related outcomes in patients with opioid and alcohol use disorders: A real-world data analysis. Addiction. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.16679
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. SDGs Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Based on the Article’s Content
- SDG 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol
- SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status
- SDG 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all
3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article
- Reduction in opioid overdose rates
- Reduction in alcohol intoxication rates
- Reduction in hospitalizations for heroin overdose or alcohol intoxication
- Effectiveness of Ozempic and similar drugs in helping people reduce substance use or achieve abstinence
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol | – Reduction in opioid overdose rates – Reduction in alcohol intoxication rates – Reduction in hospitalizations for heroin overdose or alcohol intoxication |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status | – Effectiveness of Ozempic and similar drugs in helping people reduce substance use or achieve abstinence |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all | – Effectiveness of Ozempic and similar drugs in helping people reduce substance use or achieve abstinence |
Note: The indicators mentioned in the article are implied based on the information provided. Further research and data collection would be needed to establish specific indicators for measuring progress towards the identified targets.
Source: newsweek.com
