GLP-1 RAs may curb heavy drinking

Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), approved for the treatment of diabetes and obesity, have gained wide attention for their effects on brain pathways involved with appetite regulation and reward, suggesting potential use for reducing alcohol consumption.

Now, a trial of 108 adults with obesity seeking treatment for alcohol use has found that once-weekly semaglutide reduced heavy drinking days in the past 30 days by an average of roughly 12 days, 50% higher than the eight day reduction seen in the placebo group.

Alcohol use disorder accounts for 5% of deaths worldwide annually, and there is an urgent need for new treatments. This study, published in The Lancet is the first randomised controlled trial investigating if GLP-1s can reduce alcohol intake in patients with obesity who are seeking treatment for alcohol use disorder.
The trial took place at a mental health centre in Denmark. All participants were offered cognitive behavioural therapy and were randomised to receive either a weekly dose of semaglutide or a placebo. At the start of the trial, patients had on average 17 days of heavy drinking over the last 30 days. After six months, patients receiving semaglutide had an average of roughly five heavy drinking days over the previous 30 days, compared to nine days in the placebo group. Additionally, at the start of the trial participants had an average of approximately 2200g of alcohol over the previous 30 days which decreased to roughly 650g/30 days with semaglutide and 1175g/30 days with placebo after six months.
Authors highlight key limitations including that the study is small and there was no follow up after the trial to see if alcohol consumption changed. However, they say the study adds to the growing evidence for use of GLP-1s in alcohol use disorder, potentially affecting millions of people, given the global rates of alcohol use disorder and obesity.

Klausen MK, et al. Lancet 2026;407(10540):1687-98