r/science • u/Wagamaga • Feb 12 '25

Neuroscience The first clinical trial of its kind has found that semaglutide, distributed under the brand name Wegovy, cut the amount of alcohol people drank by about 40% and dramatically reduced people’s desire to drink

https://today.usc.edu/popular-weight-loss-diabetes-drug-shows-promise-in-reducing-cravings-for-alcohol/
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u/Styphonthal2 Feb 12 '25 edited Feb 13 '25

As a physician who has prescribed ozempic/mounjaro hundreds of times I am not surprised.

I have seen it reduce alcohol use in alcoholics, but also have seen it reduce or eliminate alcohol use in weekend drinkers.

I have also seen it reduce opiate and cocaine abuse.

On the other hand, I have seen vivitrol (injectable naltrexone), which is approved for alcohol and opiate addiction, reduce people's appetite and urge to binge eat.

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u/lunaloobooboo Feb 12 '25

Idk why but I’m nervous to ask my doctor about it

43

u/itstingsandithurts Feb 12 '25

Just be honest with your doctor and explain what you want and why you want it, if they don't think it's appropriate they will advise you of what would be beneficial to you.

If you're unsure get a 2nd or 3rd opinion.

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u/Transplanted_Cactus Feb 13 '25

Don't. I do pre-authorizations for this class of drugs every day. Not once have I read a doctor's note saying he turned a patient down. We try to get it for every patient that could benefit from it.

Now whether your insurance will cover it, is another story. A lot won't if you're not diabetic and obese.

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u/pandimal Feb 13 '25

Don’t imagine many doctors prescribing the drug are turning the patient down.

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u/crimroy Feb 13 '25

That's exactly what I was thinking. Rejections won't make it to the pre-approval stage.

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u/FernwehHermit Feb 13 '25

I've heard of ppl getting it through online doctors so they don't have to deal with worrying about the embarrassment of rejection with their PCP. It's unlikely their PCP would reject them but their anxiety kept them from ever asking.

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u/keepgoingrip Feb 13 '25

That’s really too bad people are afraid of that with their PCP. I feel like I could ask my PCP anything and he would never make me feel embarrassed. Doctors shouldn’t make people feel that way :(

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u/Styphonthal2 Feb 13 '25

Ozempic or vivitrol?

Ozempic isn't covered by lots of insurances outside of DMII

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u/highcoolteacher Feb 13 '25

Have you noticed any difference in other behaviors like nail biting or hair pulling?

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u/mrthisoldthing BS | Physics | Environmental Feb 13 '25

I’m a nail biter and haven’t noticed any decrease in that. I’m still on my way up to maintenance dosage though.

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u/A_Shadow Feb 13 '25

n-acetylcysteine might work better for that

2

u/UtopianLibrary Feb 13 '25

Buspirone did this for me. I stopped picking my fingers because I had no anxiety. However, it made me have terrible mood swings and anger issues so I had to stop. Now I pick again. I don’t think everything has a trade-off but sometimes (most of the time) it does.

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u/nippleforeskin Feb 13 '25

I'm also curious about nose picking and crotch grabbing

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u/lbft Feb 13 '25

On the other hand, I have seen vivitrol (injectable naloxone), which is approved for alcohol and opiate addiction, reduce people's appetite and urge to binge eat.

Naltrexone/bupropion is already on the market for obesity under the name Contrave.

1

u/damaged_elevator Feb 13 '25

I live in Australia and it costs me $44USD per weekly dose; it's kind of stupid to spend money on junk food and alchohol when you're treating yourself for obesity.

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u/3_Slice Feb 13 '25

I could agree. I drink less, don’t miss it, and if I do drink, it’s because I absolutely know I want to because it fits with my free time, instead of drinking when I have work the next day. I haven’t even bothered doing coke since. Had no addiction prior but, it’s around and I don’t actively seek or accept it like I used to. Stopped vaping less, too.

1

u/PyroAnimal Feb 13 '25

What happens if you quit taken it?

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u/jayckb Feb 13 '25

Interesting. Is Wegovy targeting a neuron receptor connecting to eating/drinking/ comfort in any way?

Curious to learn of this side effect or why its present.

1

u/TheIrishBreakfast Feb 13 '25

Just a quick edit that vivitrol is naltrexone, not naloxone. :)

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u/-Kalos Feb 14 '25

So it cuts appetites of all kinds huh. Excited about a healthier America

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u/MikeHock_is_GONE Feb 13 '25

Any thoughts or experiences on claims it could cause blindness, kidney or gall stones, or intestinal issues like blockages?

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u/Styphonthal2 Feb 13 '25

I don't know about blindness, but gallstones can occur with rapid weight loss. It's main side effects are gi, so ileus and small bowel obstruction are possible.