A new study (the first clinical trial of its kind) has shown that the GLP-1 agonist semaglutide — known by the brand name Ozempic — may help reduce not only alcohol cravings, but the amount of alcohol consumed when someone on the drug does drink

For years, people taking Ozempic or other drugs in the same class for diabetes and weight loss have noticed the medicines don’t just curb their desire to eat; for some, they also lead them to drink less alcohol.

The drug semaglutide has been linked to a lower risk of alcoholism before, but now we have strong evidence that it really does help curb drinking

Now, one type of weight-loss medication is proving helpful with another health issue. In a study published Feb. 12 in JAMA Psychiatry, researchers report that semaglutide, better known as Ozempic or Wegovy, helped people with alcohol addiction reduce their craving and drink less.

A new study suggests that medications that have transformed the treatment of obesity may also help people drink less alcohol.

The active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy was linked to reduced cravings for drinking alcohol among people with alcohol use disorder, according to a small study published Wednesday in the journal JAMA Psychiatry, supporting earlier research suggesting Novo Nordisk’s popular diabetes and weight loss drug could treat alcoholism.