Oral Semaglutide for Alcohol Use Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
Am J PsychiatryJul 29, 2026 (epub)
Joseph P Schacht, Joseph T Sakai, Kristen Raymond et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This phase II randomized controlled trial assessed the effects of oral semaglutide on alcohol craving and consumption in 50 treatment-seeking adults with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder (AUD). While semaglutide did not significantly reduce laboratory-assessed craving, it led to a notable reduction in heavy drinking days, with a coefficient of b=-0.580 (95% CI=-1.012, -0.148).
Key findings
- Semaglutide significantly reduced heavy drinking days (b=-0.580, 95% CI=-1.012, -0.148).
- Participants on semaglutide had fewer drinks per drinking day (b=-1.177, 95% CI=-2.307, -0.047).
- Naturalistic alcohol craving decreased significantly with semaglutide (b=-2.195, 95% CI=-4.174, -0.216).
- Semaglutide reduced alcohol-related consequences more than placebo (b=-4.618, 95% CI=-8.651, -0.585).
Why it matters
The study provides evidence that semaglutide may help reduce heavy drinking and associated negative consequences in individuals with AUD, suggesting potential for its use in treatment strategies.