Wegovy and Ozempic: Can Semaglutide Reduce Alcohol Cravings Too?

Semaglutide and Alcohol Cravings: What a New Study Suggests 🍷

A new study suggests semaglutide, best known as the weight loss injection Wegovy and the diabetes medication Ozempic, may do more than support weight loss. Early research indicates it could also reduce alcohol cravings and lower the amount people drink. 

That has sparked interest in whether semaglutide could one day help people living with alcohol use disorder (AUD). The key question is simple: what does the evidence actually show so far?

What did the study do?

Researchers in the United States ran a randomized clinical trial with 48 adults with alcohol use disorder. Participants were not actively seeking treatment, but they did meet criteria for AUD, meaning alcohol use was difficult to control despite negative impacts on health and daily life. 

Participants were assigned to one of two groups:

✅ Semaglutide group: weekly low-dose semaglutide injections for 9 weeks

✅ Placebo group: weekly placebo injections for 9 weeks 

Before and after treatment, participants attended a “laboratory drinking” session. In a comfortable setting, they could drink their preferred alcoholic beverages for 2 hours. Researchers tracked intake and measured breath alcohol levels. 

What did the study find?

People who received semaglutide showed:

✅ Lower alcohol consumption during the post-treatment laboratory self-administration session 

✅ Fewer heavy drinking days over time 

✅ Around a 40% reduction in weekly alcohol cravings 

✅ A 41% reduction in the number of drinks consumed on drinking days 

There was also an additional finding in a subgroup: among participants who smoked, semaglutide was linked to greater reductions in cigarettes per day. 

How could semaglutide affect alcohol cravings?

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, originally developed for type 2 diabetes. It mimics a hormone involved in appetite regulation and blood sugar control. Many people taking it report reduced appetite and feeling full sooner.

Researchers think semaglutide may also affect brain reward pathways, which influence cravings for both food and alcohol. 

Dr Stephen Burgess (University of Cambridge) noted that the likely pathway involves dampening brain cues linked to craving. 

Why this matters

Alcohol use disorder is a major public health issue. In the UK, 10,473 deaths from alcohol-specific causes were registered in 2023, the highest number on record. 

Existing medications for alcohol dependence, including naltrexone and acamprosate, do not work for everyone. A new option could matter if future trials confirm benefits and safety for AUD.

Public health leaders have also emphasized that treatment innovation does not replace prevention. Sir Ian Gilmore (Alcohol Health Alliance UK) has repeatedly argued that alcohol harm can be reduced through measures that affect affordability and marketing exposure. 

Should someone use semaglutide to reduce alcohol cravings?

Not based on this evidence alone.

Important limits to keep in mind:

🔹 This was a single trial with 48 participants and a 9-week treatment period 

🔹 Semaglutide can cause side effects, including nausea, vomiting, and digestive symptoms 

🔹 Semaglutide is currently authorized for weight loss and diabetes, not for treating alcohol use disorder 

If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol, it is best to speak with a clinician and seek support from services such as Alcohol Change UK or Drinkaware.

What happens next?

Researchers are calling for additional clinical trials across broader groups, with extended follow-up, to clarify:

🔹 how consistent the effect is

🔹 which outcomes change most reliably

🔹 how safety and tolerability look over time 

Until then, experts continue to stress that prevention and access to support services remain central to reducing alcohol harm.