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New Delhi: Medications commonly prescribed for weight loss, such as liraglutide and semaglutide, may offer a surprising additional benefit: a significant reduction in alcohol intake. According to new research presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2025) and published in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, these drugs-known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogues-helped patients cut their alcohol consumption by nearly two-thirds over just four months.
Key Findings
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The study tracked 262 adults with a body mass index (BMI) over 27 kg/m², most of whom were women with an average age of 46. All participants were prescribed either liraglutide or semaglutide for weight loss.
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Of the 188 patients who completed follow-up, none reported an increase in alcohol intake. Instead, average weekly alcohol consumption dropped from 11.3 units to 4.3 units-a reduction of almost 62%.
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Among regular drinkers (those consuming more than 10 units per week), the decrease was even more pronounced: from 23.2 units to 7.8 units per week, a 68% reduction. This effect is comparable to that of nalmefene, a medication approved in Europe specifically to help reduce alcohol use disorder.
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The reduction in alcohol intake was observed across both men and women, with no significant difference in percentage decrease between sexes.
How Do These Drugs Work?
While GLP-1 analogues were originally developed to treat obesity and type 2 diabetes, researchers believe they may also curb cravings for alcohol by acting on subcortical areas of the brain that drive addictive behaviors. Patients in the study described the reduction in cravings as “effortless,” suggesting the drugs may dampen the reward response associated with alcohol consumption.
The Broader Impact
Alcohol use disorder is a persistent global health issue, responsible for approximately 2.6 million deaths annually-about 4.7% of all deaths worldwide. Traditional treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy and medications, often see high relapse rates, with up to 70% of patients returning to heavy drinking within a year. The potential for GLP-1 analogues to address both obesity and problematic alcohol use could represent a significant advance in public health.
Study Limitations and Next Steps
The researchers noted several limitations:
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Nearly one-third of participants did not complete the follow-up.
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Alcohol intake was self-reported, which can introduce recall bias.
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The study lacked a control group, making it difficult to establish causality.
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The follow-up period was relatively short, so long-term effects remain unknown.
Despite these caveats, the findings open up new avenues for treating both obesity and alcohol use disorder with a single class of medications. Larger, longer-term studies are already underway to further investigate these promising results.
“GLP-1 analogues have been shown to treat obesity and reduce the risk of multiple obesity-related complications. Now, the beneficial effects beyond obesity, such as on alcohol intake, are being actively studied, with some promising results,” said Professor Carel le Roux, University College Dublin.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your medication or treatment plan. The findings discussed are based on early research and should not be interpreted as definitive medical guidance.
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