Weight-loss medications Known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists, these medications have become popular for managing type 2 diabetes and obesity, but they also unexpectedly help decrease alcohol consumption.
A group of researchers from Ireland and Saudi Arabia tracked 262 adults suffering from obesity who began using two GLP-1 drugs: liraglutide or semaglutide.
Among the regular drinkers, weekly alcohol intake reduced by 68%, from about 23 units of alcohol down to roughly 8 units.
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The research was recently featured in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism and was additionally shared at the European Congress on Obesity held last week in Spain.
GLP-1 receptor activators imitate a hormone known as GLP-1, which is produced in the body. gastrointestinal system following the meal, as stated by study co-author Carel Le Roux, who is a professor at University College Dublin.
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These drugs stimulate GLP-1 receptors in the brain, which diminishes the feeling of satisfaction individuals experience following consumption, ultimately resulting in decreased urges for both food and drink, as explained to Fox News Digital.
"The shared functionality implies that GLP-1 receptors in the brain could serve as a therapeutic target not only for obesity but also for alcohol use disorder," the professor stated.
Before the participants started the weight-loss drugs, they self-reported their weekly alcohol intake , followed by being classified into non-drinkers, occasional drinkers, or habitual drinkers.
Around 72% attended at least two subsequent appointments, and about 68% mentioned consuming alcohol regularly.
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Following the initiation of weight-loss medications, the participants' mean weekly alcohol consumption dropped by roughly two-thirds in total – decreasing from about 11 units to just four units after four months of receiving GLP-1 agonist treatments.
The decline in alcohol consumption was similar to what can be attained using nalmefene, a medication that reduces the pleasurable effects for individuals suffering from alcohol use disorders in Europe, as stated by the research team.
For the 188 patients tracked for an average duration of four months, nobody escalated their alcohol consumption following the commencement of treatment. weight-loss medications .
After having an evening meal, patients found themselves too satiated to consume their typical beverage; furthermore, when they did attempt to drink, they became overly full very rapidly and ended up drinking more slowly, as Le Roux pointed out.
This indicates that the experience was not as enjoyable, largely because the alcohol was absorbed more slowly.
Several patients mentioned that they did not find the taste appealing. alcoholic beverages As well as that, hangovers used to be much more severe.
These experiences demonstrated that weight-loss medications act as " guardrails," stopping most patients from consuming too much alcohol, thereby providing them with some level of control over their alcohol consumption, as stated by Le Roux.
The results of this research indicate that we might have recently discovered a therapeutic target "For alcohol use disorder, the GLP-1 receptor," the professor explained to Fox News Digital.
This discovery might pave the way for an entirely new approach in pharmaceutical treatments, which could complement traditional methods like behavior therapy and group support."
The research team admitted that the study was constrained by the comparatively low patient count.
Additionally, the research team could not confirm the participants' reported alcohol consumption, and approximately one-third of these individuals were unreachable for subsequent assessments.
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Additionally, there wasn't a control group, so the researchers were unable to demonstrate that taking weight-loss pills decreases alcohol consumption.
"Randomized, controlled trials Diverse patient groups, such as those diagnosed with alcohol use disorder, are essential to gather sufficient and high-quality data that can be utilized to back an application for licensing the medication to treat this condition,” Le Roux stated.
(A similar trial is presently in progress in Denmark.)
The main issue with the present medications used to address alcohol use disorder is adherence, according to Le Roux — because the desire for alcohol often comes in waves.
The professor explained that this indicates a scenario where a patient could be entirely dedicated to their treatment during part of the week, only to discontinue taking their medication later in the week due to emerging cravings.
Currently, there are three FDA-approved drugs for treating alcohol use disorder: naltrexone (it decreases craving by lessening the pleasurable effect from consuming alcohol); disulfiram (this medication deters drinking by causing unpleasant symptoms when one consumes alcohol); and acamprosate (its role is to rebalance brain chemistry disrupted by heavy drinking). hormones in the brain To decrease cravings, as stated by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
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However, fewer than 10% of individuals suffering from alcohol use disorder receive adequate treatment, according to previous studies, as many revert to drinking within the initial year of therapy.
The primary benefit of GLP-1 agonists is that they require administration just once per week and remain effective throughout the seven days.
External specialists suggest that the research's conclusions underscore the possible role of weight-loss drugs in addressing alcohol use disorders.
This study indicates a potential additional advantage of GLP-1 analogs, possibly affecting alcohol cravings and providing a fresh approach to treating alcohol use disorders,” says Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford. obesity medicine physician At Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, someone not involved in the study told Fox News Digital.
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"Although the precise workings are still under investigation, these discoveries enhance our comprehension of the wider advantages of GLP-1 analogs beyond just treating obesity," Stanford noted additionally.
Original article source: A new study reveals that weight-loss drugs could also help with a prevalent medical issue.
