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$25.21 ($0.24 / 100 Sheets) (as of February 20, 2025 06:14 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)A new study shows that Ozempic, a medicine used for diabetes and weight loss, might also help people drink less alcohol. This could be good news for millions of people in the US who struggle with drinking too much.
What the Study Did
Researchers at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill School of Medicine tested 48 people who drank too much alcohol. Half got low doses of Ozempic, and half got a fake medicine (placebo) for nine weeks. The study was paid for by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
During the study, participants spent time in a lab that looked like a living room with their favorite drinks. They could drink as much as they wanted, but safely. Researchers checked how much they drank and asked them questions.
What They Found
People who took Ozempic drank about 40% less alcohol than those who took the placebo. They also had fewer heavy drinking days and felt less like drinking. The medicine did not stop them from choosing to drink but made them drink less when they did.
What Experts Say
Dr. Christian Hendershot, who led the study, was surprised by how well Ozempic worked. “I didn’t expect the effects to be so good compared to other alcohol medicines,” he said.
Dr. Lorenzo Leggio, a scientist at the National Institutes of Health, said more research is needed to understand how Ozempic helps reduce drinking. It might work by cutting cravings and making alcohol less rewarding.
Why This Matters
Almost 30 million people in the US have alcohol-use disorder (AUD), which means they struggle to stop or control their drinking even when it causes problems. Only a few medicines are approved to treat AUD, and not many people use them. Ozempic could offer a new option.
What’s Next
More studies are needed to see if Ozempic works for people with worse AUD and to understand how it helps. Drug companies like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are looking into using similar medicines for AUD and other addictions.
In Short
Ozempic, a medicine for diabetes and weight loss, might help people drink less alcohol. A small study showed it cut drinking by about 40% and reduced cravings. More research is needed, but this could lead to a new treatment for alcohol problems.
