Talk about a lucky charm.
Medications such as Ozempic — which replicate the appetite-reducing GLP-1 hormone naturally formed by the body after meals — have been proven to aid in weight reduction, alleviate knee osteoarthritis pain, soothe skin issues, and decrease dementia risk.
Now, an international team of researchers has found more evidence that people also booze a lot less when taking these meds.
“GLP-1 [drugs] have demonstrated effectiveness in treating obesity and decreasing the likelihood of various complications related to obesity,” stated Professor Carel le Roux from University College Dublin, Ireland.
“The beneficial effects beyond obesity, such as on alcohol intake, are being actively studied, with some promising results.”
Le Roux’s team analyzed data from 262 overweight or obese adults prescribed liraglutide or semaglutide for weight loss at a clinic in Dublin.
Semaglutide is sold as Ozempic to treat Type 2 diabetes and as Wegovy for obesity.
Saxenda and Victoza contain liraglutide. Saxenda is for weight loss, while Victoza is for diabetes.
Participants disclosed their alcohol consumption before the study commenced and were divided into three categories — comprising 31 non-drinkers, 52 occasional drinkers (fewer than 10 drinks weekly), and 179 regular drinkers (more than 10 weekly).
Most of the participants were female, the average age was 46 and the average weight was 216 pounds.
The researchers followed 188 of the 262 patients for an average of four months of treatment. None of the participants drank more than usual during that time.
Average alcohol intake decreased from 11.3 to 4.3 drinks a week, a reduction of almost two-thirds.
Among the regular drinkers, consumption declined from 23.2 to 7.8 drinks a week.
The findings were published in January in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism and are due to be presented in the coming days at the European Congress on Obesity in Malaga, Spain.
“The exact mechanism of how GLP-1 [drugs] reduce alcohol intake is still being investigated, but it is thought to involve curbing cravings for alcohol that arise in subcortical areas of the brain that are not under conscious control,” le Roux said. “Thus, patients report the effects are ‘effortless.’”
Le Roux reported that the alcohol reduction from GLP-1s mirrors the results of nalmefene, a drug used to treat alcohol dependence in Europe.
Harmful alcohol use accounts for about 2.6 million deaths a year, 4.7% of all global deaths.
Treatment typically involves counseling, such as behavioral therapy, and medications that reduce the urge to drink. However, relapse rates are high.
GLP-1s are not a cure-all, to be sure. Side effects can include gastrointestinal issues like nausea, and less often, hair loss and skin pain. In very rare cases, blindness and behavioral changes can occur.
