A 50-person early clinical trial at the University of Colorado Anschutz found oral semaglutide—the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy—reduced heavy drinking days, lowered per-occasion alcohol consumption, decreased cravings and eased alcohol-related problems in adults with moderate-to-severe alcohol use disorder. Participants also reported reduced cannabis use; side effects were mostly mild and adherence was high. Larger, controlled trials are planned to confirm these promising results and to determine optimal dosing.
Oral Ozempic/Wegovy Ingredient Cuts Heavy Drinking in Early Trial — Potential New Option for Alcohol Use Disorder
Alcohol use disorder is the scientific term for alcoholism.
A small clinical trial at the University of Colorado Anschutz found that oral semaglutide—the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy—significantly reduced heavy drinking in adults with moderate-to-severe alcohol use disorder. The findings, from a 50-person early study, suggest the pill formulation may offer a tolerable, more acceptable treatment option for a condition with few approved medications.
Trial Design and Key Findings
In this open-label trial, 50 adults with moderate-to-severe alcohol use disorder received oral semaglutide. Compared with baseline measures, participants experienced:
- Fewer heavy drinking days
- Lower alcohol intake per drinking occasion
- Reduced daily cravings
- Fewer alcohol-related problems
Investigators also observed reduced cannabis use among participants. Adherence to the oral regimen was high and most adverse effects were mild and transient.
Why This Matters
No new medication has been approved specifically for alcohol use disorder since 2006, and only three drugs are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for this indication. That makes these early results clinically noteworthy because alcohol use disorder remains undertreated despite affecting millions: the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health estimates 27.9 million people aged 12 and older experienced the condition in the past year.
Expert Perspective and Next Steps
Dr. Joseph Schnacht said the medication "could represent a new treatment option for alcohol use disorder, particularly for those who have not benefited from existing medications."
Researchers at CU Anschutz and partner institutions plan larger, longer and placebo-controlled trials to confirm efficacy, examine safety over extended periods, and determine optimal dosing for alcohol use disorder.
Limitations
This was a small, early-stage study without a placebo control, so results should be interpreted cautiously until replicated in larger randomized trials.
Bottom line: Oral semaglutide shows promise as a potential new therapy to reduce heavy drinking and cravings in people with alcohol use disorder, but further research is needed to confirm benefits and safety.
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