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You must have seen people with diabetes taking injections in their thigh, abdomen, or upper arm, one such drug used to manage type-2 diabetes is semaglutide which is generally taken once a week. Semaglutide is a medication that belongs to the class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists(glucagon-like peptide-1) sold under the name Ozempic. This drug is primarily used to cure type 2 diabetes in individuals by reducing blood sugar levels and also reducing the risks associated with several heart diseases.
But recently the use of this drug has been studied in other fields too such as in weight management, while Ozempic itself is not been approved as a weight management drug the higher dose of semaglutide called Wegovy(its sister drug) is approved for weight loss.
Apart from being used to manage diabetes and weight, Ozempic is also being studied for its use in treating Alcohol Use Disorder. Alcohol use disorder is a chronic condition in which an individual can’t stop consuming alcohol despite the circumstances and its harmful effects.
What Is Alcohol Use Disorder?
Alcohol use disorder is a chronic condition in which an individual can’t stop consuming alcohol despite the circumstances and its harmful effects.
This chronic condition varies in severity, for instance: one can show mild to severe symptoms, these symptoms can affect mental and physical well-being while may also affect relationships and day-to-day functioning.
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What are the Symptoms of AUD?
Here are the major symptoms associated with a person with AUD:
- People with AUD often find themselves drinking for long times and they generally can’t control their drinking despite the circumstances.
- Thinking about alcohol all day and planning when and where to drink it all day long, basically making alcohol the central part of their lives.
- Once you do something often you develop tolerance towards it, a person having AUD develops tolerance of small doses and drinks until they get the same effect as before.
- Withdrawals and cravings are inevitable when someone with AUD stops consuming alcohol suddenly.
- Reducing social activities, involving risky behaviors, and not caring about others such as getting in a fight with someone, ruining a relationship, and getting fired from a job.
Ozempic and Alcohol Use Disorder
There are new studies done to monitor the impact of Ozempic on AUD, such as a case published by The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found unexpected effects and potential of semaglutide such as Ozempic and Wegovy, which involved six patients who were being treated for weight loss plus they also got screened positively for AUD and were being treated under semaglutide. These patients under semaglutide showed improvement in their weight as well as AUD.
The findings were remarkable and caught the attention of several researchers as the patient’s observation showed a commendable reduction in alcohol consumption.
These results were measured using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), the AUDIT scores of all 6 individuals indicated low-risk drinking which means they were not showing behaviors of a person having AUD, and their behaviors were not considered problematic.
These researches were considered promising and legitimate, but still, the authors of the case series mentioned the need for further research. They also mentioned the need for more randomized trials and concrete evidence.
Another study done on more than 80,000 indivuduals with obesity found that Ozempic reduced the risk of AUD and reduced the occurrence of this chronic disorder by 50% more than other anti-obesity medications. The theory behind this is that GLP-1 receptor agonists affect the brain’s reward pathways. In particular, they may reduce the desire for alcohol by diminishing the brain’s response to cravings and substance-seeking behaviors.
Can both Ozempic and Alcohol be taken together?
There are several health complications associated with consuming alcohol and Ozempic together such as:
- One of the side effects of taking Ozempic alone is nausea causing stomach discomfort, consuming alcohol over this can worsen this discomfort and can even lead to other gastrointestinal problems.
- Taking both Ozempic and alcohol at the same time can cause hypoglycemia(dangerously low blood sugar level) as Ozempic already is used to manage insulin levels in the blood, consuming too much alcohol can also lower blood sugar levels.
- Both Ozempic and alcohol have been associated with an increased risk of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). Pancreatitis is a serious condition that can lead to severe abdominal pain, digestive issues, and hospitalization.
Key Takeaways:
While researchers have shown the significant impact of Ozempic on improving Alcohol Use Disorder in several studies, the researchers have also mentioned the need for more extensive research on this subject to confirm if Ozempic impacts people with AUD positively.
In simple words: While the initial studies on the effects of Ozempic on AUD are encouraging, further research is needed to fully understand the implications of this medication in treating substance use disorders. As the medical community continues to explore the multifaceted benefits of semaglutide, it remains crucial for patients to prioritize their health and well-being by making informed decisions regarding alcohol use while on Ozempic.
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