Now Reading: US launches trial testing semaglutide for alcohol addiction
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US launches trial testing semaglutide for alcohol addiction
The US Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a nationwide clinical trial testing whether semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, can help people with alcohol use disorder drink less. The…
The Story in Brief
The US Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a nationwide clinical trial testing whether semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, can help people with alcohol use disorder drink less. The CRAVE trial will enrol over 600 veterans at 18 medical centres across the country.
Participants will receive weekly injections of semaglutide or a placebo for 24 weeks. Researchers will measure changes in alcohol consumption, cravings, and quality of life. No new medication for alcohol addiction has been approved by the FDA in nearly 20 years, and fewer than 2 per cent of US adults with the disorder receive medication-based treatment annually. Early studies suggest GLP-1 drugs may reduce cravings by affecting the brain's reward system.
The Indian Opinion
The buzz around semaglutide as a wonder drug for addiction is understandable, but the evidence so far is observational. The CRAVE trial is a step towards proof, not proof itself. Indian readers should note that while alcohol dependence is a major public health issue here, the treatment landscape and drug approvals are different. The real test will be whether semaglutide outperforms placebo in reducing heavy drinking days in a controlled setting.
Source: timesnownews.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
