Weight-loss drugs could help people with alcohol addiction, study suggests | Science and technology news

Jabs used for weight loss and type 2 diabetes treatment could help people with alcohol abuse problems, according to a study.

The researchers found that the injections resulted in a 50% lower rate of alcohol poisoning in people who took them compared to those who were not prescribed them.

They also found that off-label use of the drugs could help people addicted to opioids.

In a study published in the journal Addiction, researchers looked at glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), which they said included the drug Ozempic and/or insulin-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). glucose, which they said include the Mounjaro brand.

These drugs can help curb addictions because, in addition to working on appetite, they also affect parts of the brain that maintain addictive behavior, health experts suggest.

The researchers looked at 817,309 people with a history of alcohol use disorder, of whom 5,621 had a prescription for a GLP-1 RA or GIP.

They found that people with an alcohol use disorder who had a GLP-1 RA or GIP prescription had a 50% lower rate of alcohol poisoning compared to those who did not.

Read more:
Warning about using weight loss drugs to get a “beach body”
Ozempic in Wegovy: advantages and disadvantages
Wegovy supply issues as private clinics stock up

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The drugs could help people with opioid addictions

The study, led by Loyola University Chicago in the US, also looked at 503,747 people with a history of opioid use disorder, of whom 8,103 had received a GLP-1 RA or GIP.

It found that people with the disorder who were prescribed a GLP-1 RA or GIP had 40% less opioid overdose use.

The results showed that the drugs “should be investigated as a new pharmacotherapy treatment option” for people with alcohol and opioid addiction, the authors said.

He comes after Health Secretary Wes Streeting he told Sky News Weight loss shots like Ozempic and Wegovy should not be used to get the “Instagram perfect body”.

And Sir Keir Starmer said these treatments could get people back to work to boost the economy.

The Prime Minister also said the injections could also help reduce pressure on the NHS.