Semaglutide in the drug Ozempic lowers blood sugar levels. The preparation can also be used as a “weight loss injection”. Researchers found a new mechanism of action.
At least since multi-billionaire Elon Musk came out as a user, Ozempic has been known to a broader audience. Before that, it was mainly diabetic patients who had to deal with the drug – as part of their therapy. But since it became clear that the preparation can be used long-term to melt the kilos, not only morbidly overweight people are hoping for diet success. Even otherwise healthy people use Ozempic with the active ingredient semaglutide as a diet. As a result, there have been and still are drastic supply bottlenecks, which has a negative effect on the safe therapy of diabetes and obesity patients.
Using Ozempic on your own without consulting a doctor can be harmful to your health. Diarrhea, vomiting and inflammation of the pancreas are among the possible side effects.
What is Semaglutide?
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. These are drugs that regulate blood sugar levels and are therefore used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The drug also promotes weight loss and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. It is given subcutaneously using a syringe once a week. Therapy with Semaglutid may only take place after medical consultation, as side effects are possible.
No desire for alcohol after taking Ozempic
Semaglutide is a promising drug. It is not only the blood sugar-lowering and appetite-suppressing effect that makes the preparation interesting for doctors. Semaglutid could also soon play a role in the field of addiction treatment. Because researchers found that taking it can reduce cravings for alcohol.
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Scientists from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden analyzed whether Ozempic can really reduce alcohol cravings. The reason for her research included reports from users who did not notice any cravings for alcohol themselves after taking it. The possible effect was then tested experimentally on rats. With the help of the active ingredient semaglutid, alcohol consumption was reduced by half in these cases, summarizes the Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk.
“In male and female rats, acute and repeated administration of semaglutide reduced alcohol intake and prevented relapsing drinking,” write the study’s authors, led by Cajsa Aranäs from the Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the University of Gothenburg. “Overall, this suggests that semaglutide reduces alcohol consumption behavior (…). Upcoming clinical studies (should) test the plausibility that semaglutide reduces alcohol consumption and body weight in obese and alcohol-dependent patients,” conclude the Swedish researchers.
More information about the study “Semaglutide reduces alcohol intake and relapse-like drinking in male and female rats”
release date: June 7, 2023
Published in the journal eBioMedicine (part of The Lancet Discovery Science journal)
Scope: Animal experiment with rats
study authors: Swedish research team led by Cajsa Aranäs from the Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the University of Gothenburg
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editorial team cannot answer individual questions about clinical pictures.