Weight-loss medications may also benefit common medical problem, study finds

Weight-loss medications may also benefit common medical problem, study finds

Semaglutide and liraglutide found to reduce alcohol use among regular drinkers

Weight-loss medications known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists have been shown to have the surprising secondary benefit of reducing alcohol intake. (iStock)

Among the regular drinkers, weekly alcohol intake decreased by 68%, from approximately 23 units of alcohol to around 8 units. (iStock)

After starting the weight-loss medications, the participants’ weekly average alcohol intake decreased by almost two-thirds overall. (iStock)

The main advantage of GLP-1 agonists is that they only need to be taken once a week and continue to work for the entire week. (iStock)

"This research suggests a promising ancillary benefit of GLP-1 analogs, potentially influencing cravings for alcohol and offering a new avenue for managing alcohol use disorder," a physician said. (iStock)

For the 188 patients who were followed over an average of four months, none had increased their alcohol intake after starting the weight-loss medications. (iStock)