Latest news with #alcoholreduction
Fox News
19-05-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Weight-loss medications may also benefit common medical problem, study finds
Weight-loss medications known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists, which have gained popularity for treating type 2 diabetes and obesity, have been shown to have the surprising secondary benefit of reducing alcohol intake. A team of international researchers from Ireland and Saudi Arabia followed 262 adult patients with obesity who started taking two GLP-1 medications: liraglutide or semaglutide. Among the regular drinkers, weekly alcohol intake decreased by 68%, from approximately 23 units of alcohol to around 8 units. The findings were recently published in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism and were also presented last week at the European Congress on Obesity in Spain. GLP-1 agonists mimic a hormone called GLP-1, which is released from the gastrointestinal system after eating, according to study co-author Carel Le Roux, a professor at University College Dublin. These medications activate GLP-1 receptors in the brain, decreasing the sense of "reward" people feel after eating or drinking, eventually leading to reduced cravings for both food and alcohol, he told Fox News Digital. "It is this commonality of function that suggests the GLP-1 receptors in the brain may be a therapeutic target for not just the disease of obesity, but also for alcohol use disorder," the professor said. Before the participants started the weight-loss drugs, they self-reported their weekly alcohol intake, then were categorized as non-drinkers, rare drinkers or regular drinkers. Approximately 72% had at least two follow-up visits and 68% reported regular alcohol consumption. After starting the weight-loss medications, the participants' weekly average alcohol intake decreased by almost two-thirds overall — from approximately 11 units of alcohol to four units after four months of treatment with the GLP-1 agonists. The reduction in alcohol use was comparable to the decrease that can be achieved by nalmefene, a drug that decreases the "buzz" feeling in people with alcohol use disorder in Europe, according to the researchers. For the 188 patients who were followed over an average of four months, none had increased their alcohol intake after starting the weight-loss medications. Patients reported that after an evening meal, they were too full to have their usual drink — and when they did drink, they reported becoming full extremely quickly and drinking at a slower pace, Le Roux noted. "The findings in this study suggest that we may have just found a therapeutic target for alcohol use disorder." This suggests that the experience was less enjoyable, partly due to the reduced rate of alcohol absorption. Some patients also reported that they didn't enjoy the flavor of the alcoholic beverages as much, and also that hangovers were much worse. All of these experiences showed that the weight-loss medications create "guard rails" that prevent most patients from drinking excessively, giving them a degree of control over their alcohol intake, according to Le Roux. "The findings in this study suggest that we may have just found a therapeutic target for alcohol use disorder — the GLP-1 receptor," the professor told Fox News Digital. "This finding potentially opens the possibility of an entirely new pharmacological treatment paradigm, which could be used in conjunction with conventional methods, such as behavior therapy and group support." The study was limited by its relatively small number of patients, the researchers acknowledged. Also, the researchers were not able to verify the participants' self-reported alcohol intake, and roughly one-third of them were not available for follow-up. There was also no control group, which means the researchers couldn't prove that taking weight-loss medication reduces alcohol intake. "Randomized, controlled trials with diverse patient populations — including patients diagnosed with alcohol use disorder — are needed to provide the quality and quantity of data that could be used to support an application for licensing the medication for the treatment of alcohol use disorder," Le Roux said. (One such trial is currently underway in Denmark.) With the current medications available to treat alcohol use disorder, the "major problem" is compliance, Le Roux said — "because the cravings for alcohol tend to come in waves." "This means a patient might be fully committed to treatment at one point in the week, but then stop taking the medication later in the week when a craving comes," the professor added. There are currently three FDA-approved medications to treat alcohol use disorder: naltrexone (which helps decrease cravings by reducing the "buzz" feeling that comes with drinking alcohol); disulfiram (which helps some people avoid alcohol by making them feel sick when they drink), and acamprosate (which restores the balance of hormones in the brain to reduce cravings), according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. But less than 10% of people with alcohol use disorder get the proper treatment, with many resuming use within the first year of treatment, past research shows. The main advantage of the GLP-1 agonists is that they only need to be taken once a week and continue to work for the entire week. Outside experts say the study's findings highlight the potential of weight-loss medications to help treat alcohol use disorder. "This research suggests a promising ancillary benefit of GLP-1 analogs, potentially influencing cravings for alcohol and offering a new avenue for managing alcohol use disorder," Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, obesity medicine physician at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, who was not part of the study, told Fox News Digital. For more Health articles, visit "While the exact mechanisms are still being explored, the findings contribute to our understanding of the broader benefits of GLP-1 analogs beyond obesity treatment," Stanford added.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Weight loss jabs could help cut alcohol consumption, study suggests
Weight loss jabs could help slash alcohol intake in obese people by around two thirds, according to a study. It is thought the drugs help curb cravings for alcohol, experts said, although more research is needed. Weight loss jabs, also known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, work by reducing food cravings. The study, led by academics in Ireland and Saudi Arabia, included 262 obese people who had been prescribed liraglutide or semaglutide, which are available under the brand names Saxenda and Wegovy respectively. They were categorised based on the amount of alcohol they consumed each week prior to starting treatment. The groups included non-drinkers, rare drinkers who had less than 10 units a week, and regular drinkers, who reported having 10 or more units each week. Some 188 of the 262 patients were followed up for an average of four months. Average alcohol consumption fell from 11.3 units a week – about six or seven pints of beer – to 4.3 units a week, or roughly two pints of beer, after four months on the drugs. Among regular drinkers, intake decreased by 68%, from 23.2 units a week to 7.8 units a week. Professor Carel le Roux, of University College Dublin, said: 'The exact mechanism of how GLP-1 analogues 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. 'Thus, patients report the effects are 'effortless'.' The findings, which are being presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Malaga, suggest a 'potential therapeutic role' for weight loss jabs in people who are obese and regularly drink alcohol, researchers said. However, they stressed larger trials are needed to validate the results. Prof Le Roux added: 'GLP-1 analogues have been shown treat obesity and reduce the risk of multiple obesity-related complications. 'Now, the beneficial effects beyond obesity, such as on alcohol intake, are being actively studied, with some promising results.'
Telegraph
10-05-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Weight-loss jabs can ‘effortlessly' reduce alcohol intake
Jabs for weight loss can 'effortlessly' reduce the amount of alcohol that people drink, research suggests. The research, which will be presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Malaga which opens on Sunday, found that the medication made a significant difference to drinking habits, regardless of the starting point. Patients taking the injections to lose weight cut their intake by almost two-thirds within months. Small studies have previously found that the GLP-1 agonists curb cravings for alcohol among people with addiction problems. The new Irish study involved 262 overweight patients who were prescribed injections such as semaglutide for weight loss. Average alcohol intake fell from 11.3 units per week to 4.3 units after four months of treatment with the jabs. Even more striking results were achieved by those classed as regular drinkers, with average intake falling from 23.2 units a week to 7.8 units per week. Scientists said the fall was comparable to that achieved by the drug nalmefene, which is used to treat alcohol use disorder. The study involved 262 adults with a BMI ≥27 kg/m² (79 per cent female, average age 46 years, average weight 15 stone 6lb) who were prescribed the GLP-1 analogues liraglutide or semaglutide for weight loss. The patients were categorised into non-drinkers, rare drinkers and regular drinkers, based on their self-reported alcohol intake. Prof Carel le Roux, of University College Dublin, and colleagues in Ireland and Saudi Arabia prospectively collected data on the patients who were being treated for obesity at a clinic in Dublin. Prof le Roux said: 'The exact mechanism of how GLP-1 analogues 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. Thus, patients report the effects are 'effortless'. 'This research points to a potentially new pharmacological treatment paradigm for alcohol use disorder which could yield enormous benefits for society.' Researchers said patients reported that after an evening meal they were too full to have their usual drink. When they did drink, they reported reaching satiety very fast and were more likely to feel nauseous. Some said they enjoyed the flavour of their drinks less. And many said their hangovers were much worse, deterring them the next time. GLP-1 receptor agonists are a class of medications that mimic the action of hormones which suppress appetite. They include semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy weight loss jabs and the diabetes medication Ozempic. The findings add to growing evidence of the drugs' benefits beyond weight loss. Dr Riccardo De Giorgi, a clinical lecturer at the department of psychiatry at the University of Oxford, said one theory is that the drugs 'might reduce reward processes associated with food intake'. But he said that larger clinical trials are needed. Prof Kamila Hawthorne, the chairman of the Royal College of GPs, said emerging research should be taken into account for clinical guidelines on the drugs' use. She added: 'Millions of our patients struggle with both obesity and alcohol consumption, and both can have a serious impact on their health. 'There is clearly a lot of potential for weight loss drugs, which are still very new medications, to have wide-ranging benefits for patients, so it's good to see research being undertaken to explore these. 'However, it's also important that medical interventions aren't seen as a silver bullet for either weight loss or to suppress cravings for alcohol.'
The Sun
09-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Fat jabs like Ozempic could ‘CURE' binge drinking ‘slashing boozing by two thirds'
FAT jabs like Mounjaro and Wegovy could slash boozing by two-thirds, a study has shown. It's not the first time the weight loss medication has shown promise for helping those with poor drinking habits curb their cravings. 2 The class of GLP-1 medications mimic the action of the natural GLP-1 hormone, which plays a key role in regulating blood sugar levels, appetite, and digestion. They were initially developed to treat type 2 diabetes but have become a breakthrough in obesity treatment, too. Now, anecdotally, people have reported that their desire to drink is slashed once they start GLP-1. The study was led by Professor Carel le Roux, of University College Dublin and presented at this year's European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2025). Professor Le Roux said: ' GLP-1 analogues have been shown treat obesity and reduce the risk of multiple obesity-related complications. 'Now, the beneficial effects beyond obesity, such as on alcohol intake, are being actively studied, with some promising results.' The team looked at data on the alcohol intake of patients who were being treated for obesity at a clinic in Dublin. It involved 262 adults with a BMI of over 27 with an average weight of 15st 6lb/98kg, and average age of 46 years. They were prescribed either semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) or liraglutide (Saxenda) for weight loss. Mounjaro is the brand name for another medication, tirzepatide. Thirty-one patients did not drink, 52 rarely drank, and 179 were regular drinkers, based on self reporting. How to save calories when drinking alcohol Some 188 of the 262 patients were followed-up for an average of four months. None of them had increased their alcohol intake. Average alcohol intake decreased from 11.3 units per week to 4.3 units per week after four months of treatment with the GLP-1 meds. That's the equivalent of drinking almost four large glasses of wine to one and a bit. Or, about six or seven pints of beer to roughly two. Even more so, among the regular drinkers, intake decreased from 23.2 units per week to 7.8 units. The reduction of 68 per cent is comparable to that achieved by nalmefene, a drug used to treat alcohol use disorder in Europe, notes Professor le Roux. He adds: 'The exact mechanism of how GLP-1 analogues 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. 'Thus, patients report the effects are 'effortless'.' Alcohol use disorder is a relapsing condition that accounts for 2.6 million deaths a year – 4.7 per cent of all deaths globally. Around one in 20 adults in England are deemed to be heavy drinkers – men who drink more than 50 units a week and women who drink more than 35 units. Deaths from alcohol use at a record high. More than 8,200 people died because of alcohol in 2023 which is 42 per cent higher than in 2019. Treatments such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), therapies that aim to strengthen motivation to stop or reduce drinking and medication can be very successful in the short-term. But 70 per cent of patients relapse within the first year, the study authors noted. Everything you need to know about fat jabs Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases. Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK. Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market. Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year. How do they work? The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight. They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists. They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients' sugar levels are too high. Can I get them? NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics. Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss. Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk. Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health. Are there any risks? Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild. Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea. Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at said: 'One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.' Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia. Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients' mental health. Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines.
