India, Feb. 14 -- A new study suggests that semaglutide, a drug commonly used for diabetes and weight loss, may also help curb alcohol intake. Published in JAMA Psychiatry, the research involved 48 adults with alcohol use disorder who were not actively seeking treatment.
Half of the participants received weekly injections of semaglutide, while the rest were given a placebo. Over the nine-week trial, those on semaglutide reported fewer binge-drinking episodes and a reduced urge to drink. In a controlled lab setting, they consumed nearly half as much alcohol as the placebo group.
Lead researcher Christian Hendershot, an addiction specialist at the University of Southern California, described the findings as promising but emphasized the need...