1. medino.com /
2. Weight Loss /
3. FAQs /

Can weight loss injections help reduce alcohol cravings?

Weight loss injections like semaglutide, sold as Wegovy or Ozempic, show promise in reducing alcohol cravings based on clinical trial evidence. In a randomised placebo-controlled study of 48 adults with alcohol use disorder symptoms, weekly low-dose injections led to lower alcohol cravings, fewer drinks per drinking day, and fewer heavy drinking days compared to placebo. Similar medications like tirzepatide in Mounjaro may offer comparable benefits through effects on brain reward pathways.

Key points:

• Semaglutide injections reduced alcohol cravings by about 40% in a nine-week trial.
• Participants on semaglutide drank nearly 30-41% less alcohol on drinking days than the placebo group.
• Effects appeared stronger at higher doses and were greater than some existing alcohol treatments.
• Research is early-stage and not yet approved for alcohol cravings in the UK.

This text has been fact-checked for accuracy by Sorin Romaniuc, Pharmacist at medino.