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Randomized controlled trial

Semaglutide for alcohol use disorder: a phase 2 trial

After 9 weeks, compared with placebo, low-dose semaglutide reduced the grams of alcohol consumed in a laboratory test (β −0.48; 95% CI, −0.85 to −0.11) and peak breath alcohol concentration (β −0.46; 95% CI, −0.87 to −0.06), a medium to large effect according to the authors.

Hendershot CS et al. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults With Alcohol Use Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Psychiatry, 2025. DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2024.4789

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Key facts

Drug
semaglutide
Design
Randomized controlled trial
Participants
48
Duration
9 weeks
Funding
NIAAA and the NCATS (NIH)
Registry
NCT05520775
Population
48 adults with alcohol use disorder who were not seeking treatment, recruited at an academic medical center in the United States between September 2022 and February 2024; 71% were women and the mean age was 39.9 years.
Primary outcome
Laboratory alcohol self-administration (grams consumed and peak breath alcohol concentration), measured before and after treatment.

What it found

After 9 weeks, compared with placebo, low-dose semaglutide reduced the grams of alcohol consumed in a laboratory test (β −0.48; 95% CI, −0.85 to −0.11) and peak breath alcohol concentration (β −0.46; 95% CI, −0.87 to −0.06), a medium to large effect according to the authors. It did not change average drinks per day or the number of drinking days, but it reduced drinks per drinking day (β −0.41; 95% CI, −0.73 to −0.09) and weekly craving (β −0.39; 95% CI, −0.73 to −0.06). It was a double-blind phase 2 trial with doses of 0.25 to 1 mg once weekly. The authors present it as initial evidence that justifies larger trials.

Limitations

Small sample and short treatment, typical of a phase 2 trial; low doses chosen for safety, which may have limited the detection of effects; moderate severity of the disorder and participants who were not seeking treatment. Funded by the NIAAA and the NCATS (NIH); the funders had no role in the design or the analysis. Treating alcohol use is not an approved indication for semaglutide.

What it means for you

This small trial suggests that semaglutide might reduce drinking in some situations, but the result is preliminary. Treating alcohol use is not an approved indication for semaglutide. If you are worried about your drinking, a health professional can advise you on the treatments available.

Further reading

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Sources

The original paper and the records consulted for this summary, with the date they were accessed.

  1. JAMA Psychiatry.Hendershot CS, et al. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults With Alcohol Use Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Psychiatry. 2025;82(4):395-405.accessed .
  2. National Library of Medicine (PubMed).PubMed record PMID 39937469 (abstract).accessed .
  3. PubMed Central (National Library of Medicine).Full text PMC11822619 (methods, limitations, funding).accessed .