Lead: Oral semaglutide for alcohol use disorder: A randomized clinical trial

Oral Semaglutide for Alcohol Use Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial The American Journal of Psychiatry Accumulating preclinical and observational evidence suggests that glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, including semaglutide, reduce alcohol consumption. This phase 2 double-blind, randomized, parallel-arm trial evaluated the effects of oral semaglutide on alcohol craving and consumption among treatment-seeking adults with alcohol use disorder (AUD).  It found that semaglutide did not significantly reduce laboratory-assessed craving or drinks per day compared with placebo but significantly reduced heavy drinking days. Semaglutide also significantly reduced drinks per drinking day, naturalistic alcohol craving, and cannabis use days. Semaglutide reduced alcohol-related consequences at a significantly greater rate than placebo. Significantly more participants in the semaglutide group than the placebo group reduced their risk drinking level by one or more levels. These findings confirm previous results among non–treatment seekers with less severe AUD and suggest that continued development of semaglutide for AUD is warranted.   Read this issue of the ASAM Weekly Subscribe to the ASAM Weekly Visit ASAM