Doctors have noticed something interesting. Patients taking Wegovy for weight loss often report drinking less alcohol. Now, a new study suggests this might actually be true.
Researchers in Copenhagen recently tested whether semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic, could help people reduce their alcohol consumption. The study involved 108 adults with both alcohol use disorder and obesity. Half received weekly injections of semaglutide, while the other half received a placebo. Everyone also attended up to ten therapy sessions.
After six months, the results were clear. People taking semaglutide cut their heavy drinking days roughly in half, from about 17 days per month to around 5 days. The placebo group also improved, but not as much, dropping to about 9 days. Total alcohol intake fell significantly more in the semaglutide group.
The medication also produced expected weight-loss effects, with participants losing an average of 11.2 kilograms compared to 2.2 kilograms in the placebo group. Side effects were mostly mild and temporary, including nausea and reduced appetite.
However, the study has important limitations. It involved only 108 people at one hospital in Denmark, and participants were mostly White and overweight. Researchers say larger studies are needed before drawing firm conclusions. The long-term effects after stopping injections remain unknown.