GLP-1 receptor agonists and alcohol use disorder: a systematic review.

Alcohol and alcoholism (Oxford, Oxfordshire)2025PMID: 41273789

View on PubMed DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agaf069

Plain Language Summary

This systematic review of three RCTs confirmed that semaglutide reduced alcohol use in multiple studies, while other GLP-1 receptor agonists showed mixed results. The evidence supports semaglutide as the most promising GLP-1RA for alcohol use disorder treatment.

Abstract

Observational data on glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) have shown a reduction in alcohol use. In this review of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (n = 48-151), semaglutide reduced alcohol use, dulaglutide lowered alcohol intake in current drinkers, while exenatide had no significant effect on heavy drinking days. Large RCTs are needed to substantiate the role of GLP-1 RAs in treating alcohol use disorder.

Authors

Patel, Sheel; Blaney, Hanna; Nassar, Sarah; Singal, Ashwani K

Keywords

GLP-1 receptor agonistsalcohol use disorderalcohol-associated liver diseasemetabolic dysfunction