The Department of Veterans Affairs launched a clinical trial of semaglutide as a potential treatment for alcohol use disorder in veterans on July 30. The condition affects an estimated 400,000 former service members.
Semaglutide is the active ingredient in the weight-loss and diabetes drugs Ozempic and Wegovy. The VA trial is one of the first formal randomized investigations of semaglutide’s potential to reduce addictive behaviors, following preliminary observational studies that suggested GLP-1 receptor agonists may decrease alcohol consumption and cravings, the VA said.
Alcohol use disorder is one of the most prevalent and costly conditions in the veteran population, contributing to liver disease, mental health crises, homelessness and family disruption. Current FDA-approved treatments for the condition have limited efficacy, and many veterans do not respond to existing options.
The VA, as one of the largest healthcare systems in the world, has historically conducted clinical trials that shape national treatment standards. Results from the semaglutide trial could inform future VA treatment protocols and potentially broader clinical guidance for the general population.
GLP-1 receptor agonists work by mimicking a hormone that regulates appetite and reward pathways in the brain. Researchers hypothesize that the same mechanisms that reduce food cravings may also reduce the desire for alcohol.
If the trial demonstrates efficacy, semaglutide could transform addiction treatment for hundreds of thousands of veterans and potentially millions of Americans in the general population who struggle with alcohol use disorder. Approximately 29 million Americans ages 12 and older had the condition in 2022, according to federal health data.
The trial is being conducted through the VA’s Office of Research and Development and will enroll veterans across multiple VA medical centers.