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Anti-Obesity Drugs Show Promise in Reducing Alcohol Use


— November 29, 2024

Patients taking weight loss drugs reported changes to their alcohol use habits.


Recent research draws attention to the relationship between anti-obesity medications and a reduction in alcohol use. The findings stem from a study conducted through a telehealth weight management program, where participants began taking these medications to control their weight and reported changes in alcohol consumption. The observations provide a fresh perspective on the behavioral influences of medications primarily designed for weight loss and provide the potential for these to be used off-label to management substance use.

The study analyzed data from individuals enrolled in the WeightWatchers telehealth program, focusing on those who began taking weight loss medication between early 2022 and late 2023. To ensure consistent results, participants were required to refill their prescriptions during the study period. The analysis excluded individuals with prior medication use or bariatric surgery, given their differing profiles regarding this group’s alcohol consumption risks.

Participants were prescribed one of several anti-obesity drugs, including first- and second-generation glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), metformin, or bupropion/naltrexone combinations. These medications were already recognized for promoting weight loss, but new evidence suggests they may also impact alcohol-related behaviors. GLP-1 RAs, for instance, appear to influence the brain’s reward pathways, potentially diminishing alcohol cravings and reducing the reinforcing effects of drinking alcoholic beverages.

Anti-Obesity Drugs Show Promise in Reducing Alcohol Use
Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels

At baseline, over half of the study participants reported regular alcohol use. Following medication initiation, nearly half of these individuals reduced their alcohol intake, while a smaller percentage increased consumption. The findings revealed that participants with higher obesity classes and greater baseline alcohol consumption were more likely to report significant reductions in their drinking habits. Individuals prescribed second-generation GLP-1 RAs also accounted for a substantial portion of the cohort, suggesting these newer medications may hold particular promise for influencing alcohol-related behaviors.

Among the medications studied, bupropion/naltrexone combinations initially showed a stronger correlation with reduced alcohol use compared to metformin. However, after accounting for the weight loss achieved by participants, this relationship lost statistical significance. This outcome suggests that the reductions in alcohol consumption may not solely result from the pharmacological effects of specific weight loss drugs but could also reflect broader lifestyle changes associated with weight loss efforts. Participants may have adopted healthier habits, such as limiting alcohol intake to lower calorie consumption and improve overall well-being.

The study also highlighted the importance of behavioral and environmental factors in shaping outcomes. Participants engaged in structured weight management programs often encounter counseling and education that encourage them to rethink their relationship with food, alcohol, and other behaviors. These interventions, coupled with the physiological changes driven by AOMs, likely contributed to the observed patterns of reduced alcohol use.

On average, participants experienced significant weight loss over the study period, shedding approximately 12.7% of their initial body weight. This highlights the effectiveness of anti-obesity drugs as part of a comprehensive approach to managing obesity. While the primary goal of these medications remains weight reduction, the additional benefits, such as potential improvements in alcohol consumption patterns, are noteworthy.

The team’s findings open the door to further exploration of how medications targeting metabolic and behavioral pathways can have far-reaching effects. Future studies could expand on this work by examining whether the observed reductions in alcohol use persist over the long term or if they vary across different populations.

Sources:

Nearly half of weight loss participants reduced alcohol use after starting anti-obesity medication

Alcohol Use and Antiobesity Medication Treatment

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