Ozempic: more than a weight-loss drug
Studies suggest that Ozempic has been found to reduce alcohol cravings, cigarette smoking, and obesity-related cancers.
Semaglutide, known commercially as Ozempic or Wegovy, has remained a hot topic in the media following its rise in popularity as a weight loss drug, with many concerned over its possible long term health consequences. Recently, new studies have demonstrated the drug’s positive effects on various health conditions such as alcoholism, smoking, obesity, and diabetes.
One new study has found that semaglutide could reduce alcohol consumption. The study comes from Christian Hendershot and colleagues, who conducted a randomised controlled trial (RCT) providing participants doses of semaglutide or placebo injections and observed a reduction in cravings for alcohol and drinks per day and even showed an unexpected reduction in cigarette smoking.
Although previous research has shown a correlation between semaglutide use and reduced alcohol consumption in animals and humans, this breakthrough study is the first RCT of its kind.
While semaglutide is currently only used for weight management and diabetes treatment, this study raises a new possible use which could save many more lives and reduce the burden on health services.
Studies on semaglutide have also found a possible reduction in the risk of obesity-associated cancers. Scientists at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio found that patients with type 2 diabetes treated with semaglutide rather than insulin had a significant risk reduction for 10 out of 13 obesity-associated cancers including bowel cancer, the fourth most common cancer in the UK. These findings could be crucial in wider cancer prevention, as obesity is the second biggest cause of UK cancer cases. In March 2024, the US Food and Drug Administration approved semaglutide for the treatment of adults with cardiovascular disease to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
We should become open to semaglutide becoming a widespread treatment.
A double-blind trial of Wegovy drug use found a significant reduction in cardiovascular symptoms. Most life-saving drugs do not come without side effects and semaglutide is no exception. The FDA has warned users of the risk of thyroid tumours and advises against its use for individuals with a family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma. Nonetheless, studies such as the aforementioned trial by Hendershot et al. showed little to no incidence of serious adverse effects.
Typical side effects of semaglutide usually include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fatigue, indigestion, and low blood sugar in patients with diabetes.
In the UK, a BMI of 35 or more is required to be eligible for semaglutide prescription, as well as any weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. Patients are advised to take Wegovy alongside a lower-calorie diet and regular exercise.
While semaglutide is still new and continues to be researched, its potential to treat multiple common health conditions should not be underestimated.
As an effective weight loss drug, it also has the capability to treat many conditions that arise as a result of obesity. We should become open to semaglutide becoming a widespread treatment to combat obesity as incidence continues to rise and research continues.
