The Department of Veterans Affairs on July 30 announced a new clinical trial to evaluate semaglutide — the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy — as a treatment for alcohol use disorder among veterans, the first such trial within the nation’s largest integrated health system.
Alcohol use disorder is among the most common behavioral health conditions affecting veterans, particularly those with post-traumatic stress disorder. The VA health system serves approximately nine million enrolled veterans.
Semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist originally developed for diabetes and weight management, has shown preliminary evidence in observational studies of reducing alcohol cravings and consumption. However, randomized controlled trial data — the gold standard for medical evidence — remains limited.
The VA trial could generate the most robust evidence yet on whether GLP-1 drugs can treat addiction, a finding with implications far beyond the veteran population. If effective, the approach could transform treatment for the estimated 29 million Americans who have alcohol use disorder.
Current FDA-approved treatments for alcohol use disorder include naltrexone, acamprosate and disulfiram, but uptake of these medications remains low and effectiveness varies. A new treatment option with broader efficacy could address a significant unmet medical need.
The trial design, enrollment criteria and timeline were detailed in the VA announcement. VA medical centers across the country are expected to participate in enrollment.
The trial adds to the rapidly expanding research portfolio for GLP-1 drugs, which are being studied for applications ranging from heart disease and kidney disease to Alzheimer’s and addiction.