A new clinical trial led by researchers at Copenhagen University Hospital suggests that the GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide may help reduce heavy drinking in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) who also have obesity. The study, conducted in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), showed that adding weekly semaglutide to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) led to a greater decrease in heavy drinking days compared to placebo.
The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolled 108 treatment-seeking adults diagnosed with AUD and comorbid obesity. Participants received either a weekly dose of semaglutide or placebo alongside standard CBT for 26 weeks. Researchers collected self-reported drinking data and measured biological markers related to alcohol consumption throughout the study.
Results demonstrated that the semaglutide group experienced a 41.1% reduction in days of heavy drinking, which was 13.7% greater than the reduction observed in the placebo group. Blood-alcohol biomarker levels confirmed the self-reported data. Additionally, participants treated with semaglutide showed more pronounced decreases in body weight, blood pressure, and other health measures.
Although some participants reported mild, transient gastrointestinal side effects, the medication was generally well tolerated. The study noted that semaglutide’s clinical efficacy, measured by the number needed to treat (NNT), was 4.3—suggesting better potential outcomes compared to currently approved AUD medications, which typically have NNT values of seven or higher.
Why it matters
This study offers promising evidence of a new pharmacological option for treating AUD, particularly in patients also struggling with obesity. Currently, few medications are approved for AUD, and many remain underutilized. Semaglutide, already approved for weight management, might address both conditions simultaneously, potentially improving treatment accessibility and effectiveness for a substantial patient population.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) Director George Koob, Ph.D., noted that expanding treatment choices could help close the treatment gap for AUD. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Director Nora Volkow, M.D., highlighted this trial as encouraging, though she emphasized the need for further studies over longer durations and with larger participant groups to validate these findings.
Background
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists like semaglutide are primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity by regulating appetite and metabolism. Previous research suggested potential benefits of GLP-1s for various substance use disorders, including AUD, but results have been mixed. This trial specifically targeted patients with both AUD and obesity, revealing a more pronounced effect in this subgroup than in prior broader studies.
The study was published in The Lancet in 2026 and led by Mette Kruse Klausen, M.D., and Anders Fink-Jensen, D.M.Sc. NIH funded and supported this research as part of its mission to develop new treatments for addiction and related health conditions.
Sources
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