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Novo Nordisk to Investigate Ozempic’s Impact on Alcohol Consumption
Study Announcement
Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic, has announced plans to investigate the drug’s potential to reduce a user’s desire to consume alcohol. The company revealed a 28-week study aimed at evaluating the impact of semaglutide, the active component in Ozempic and other medications, on alcohol intake.
Focus on Liver Health
In a statement to CNN, Novo Nordisk mentioned that the upcoming trial will focus on whether the drug can enhance liver health by addressing liver fibrosis or scarring, rather than targeting alcohol addiction specifically.
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Trial Details on Ozempic & Alcohol
A Novo Nordisk spokesperson told the outlet, “Secondary endpoints include safety and tolerability and changes in alcohol consumption. There is a significant unmet medical need in alcohol-related liver disease, and the first line of treatment for this condition is lifestyle intervention to refrain from drinking alcohol.”
They added, “Even though not all participants in the trial will have alcohol use disorder, it is natural to include alcohol consumption as a secondary endpoint.”
The trial plans to recruit 240 participants and is set to commence on Monday, May 20, as per a government database, CNN reported.
A set of semaglutide injection pens
Clinical Observations
Ania Jastreboff, M.D., PhD., an obesity medicine physician scientist at Yale University, shared with PEOPLE last year that some patients using Ozempic report a diminished craving for alcohol.
“Clinically, I’ve seen this. Some patients say they have less desire to drink alcohol. For instance, they used to drink a couple of glasses of wine, now they only drink half a glass and don’t feel the urge to finish it,” she said.
“It seems they achieve the reward or satisfaction from a smaller amount or just don’t feel like having a glass of wine,” Jastreboff added.
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Expert Insights
Dr. Steven Batash, a board-certified gastroenterologist and weight-loss specialist at Batash Endoscopic Weight Loss, told PEOPLE in April that weight-loss medications can also affect libido and potentially alter personality.
“GLP-1s specifically reduce the amount of dopamine the brain releases after engaging in activities like drinking, smoking, or eating a sweet dessert,” he explained.
“Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that reinforces the pleasure of these activities. When GLP-1s remove that pleasure, they also reduce the motivation to partake in these activities,” Batash added.