Weight loss drugs such as Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO)’s Ozempic have been found to cut alcohol and opioid abuse, according to a new study.
Published in the journal Addiction, the study showed the rate of opioid overdoses among people taking GLP-1 drugs was 40% lower than those who were not.
For those suffering from alcohol abuse, the rate of intoxication among people on such weight loss drugs was 50% lower.
This builds on evidence of GLP-1 drugs’ potential beyond being used for obesity and diabetes, with the treatments mimicking hormones which suppress appetites.
Some 817,309 people with a history of alcohol use disorder were studied, alongside 503,747 opioid use disorder patients.
Of these, 5,621 and 8,103 alcohol and opioid abuse patients respectively had weight loss drug prescriptions.
Co-lead researcher Fares Qeadan, of Loyola University Chicago, noted the findings provided “significant initial evidence that GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide are associated with reduced rates of overdose and intoxication”.
Such drugs “should be investigated as a novel pharmacotherapy treatment option for individuals with [alcohol and opioid addiction]”, the report added.
Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO) shares ticked up 1.5% on Thursday.