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Ozempic's potential to kill desire for alcohol focus of study
(NewsNation) — Could the most popular weight loss drug double as a treatment for alcoholism?
People using Ozempic say they are losing their desire to drink. It's anecdotal evidence right now, but this would be a game-changer for those who are trying to break free from addiction.
Drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are used to treat Type 2 diabetes and obesity. The medicine mimics the behaviors of the natural hormone GLP-1, which controls appetite and regulates blood sugar.
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An unintended consequence appears to be that people on the drugs are turning to the bottle less. They say their urge to drink has dramatically decreased.
A new clinical trial will study people of normal weight who are dependent on alcohol, notes Pat Aussem with the Partnership to End Addiction. Over five months, participants will get either Ozempic or a placebo, she said.
Dr. James Besante, chief medical officer at Sante Fe Recovery Center in New Mexico, agrees the study is exciting, but he cautions it's too early to tell whether the weight-loss drug will be effective for alcoholics.
'These treatments are still considered experimental for addiction,' he told 'Elizabeth Vargas Reports' on Thursday. 'And they're not covered by insurance when they're used for this purpose. And that's really important. It makes them inaccessible for many of the patients I see.'
He said there are already proven medications in the marketplace that are covered by insurance. If Ozempic proves to be effective, Besante said, it would effectively become another tool in the medical toolbelt.
'This is a really complex disease that affects different people differently,' he said. 'Rarely is there a magic pill or one medication that's going to solve this person's issue.'
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