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Drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy may help prevent alcohol use disorder

  • A new study from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine reveals that popular diabetes and weight-loss drugs, Wegovy and Ozempic, may significantly reduce alcohol misuse and alcohol use disorder.
  • The research highlights the potential of semaglutide, the active ingredient in these medications, to serve as a new treatment for alcohol-use disorder, a condition responsible for about 178,000 deaths annually in the United States.
  • While the findings are promising, experts agree that further clinical trials are needed to confirm semaglutide’s effectiveness for preventing or treating alcohol use disorder.

Alcohol use disorder, also known as alcohol misuse, dependence and addiction, is a medical condition characterized by the persistent consumption of alcohol despite negative consequences.

The severity of alcohol use disorder can range from mild to moderate to severe, and the condition can negatively impact an individual’s health, quality of life and relationships.

Some of the harmful effects of alcohol misuse include:

Several factors can increase the likelihood of developing alcohol use disorder, including a family history of alcohol misuse, mental health issues and early initiation of alcohol consumption.

Currently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has only approved three medicationsTrusted Source for the treatment of alcohol use disorder: naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram.

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