Oral semaglutide reduced the number of heavy drinking days in adults with alcohol use disorder, according to a phase-2 clinical trial.
This finding suggests that GLP-1 receptor agonists, primarily known for treating diabetes and obesity, may offer a new pharmacological path for treating addiction. If validated in larger studies, the medication could provide a scalable tool to reduce alcohol cravings and consumption.
Dr. Joseph Schacht led the trial at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus [1]. The research tested whether the drug, the active ingredient in medications like Ozempic and Wegovy, could curb alcohol consumption in people struggling with alcohol use disorder [1, 5].
The study involved 50 participants [3]. According to the trial data, the dosage regimen began with three mg per day for an initial period before increasing to seven mg per day [3].
Results reported on July 29, 2026, indicated that the oral medication helped participants decrease the frequency of heavy drinking days [4]. The study focused on the drug's ability to modulate reward pathways in the brain that drive addictive behaviors.
While previous research has looked at injectable GLP-1s, this trial specifically utilized the oral form of semaglutide to increase accessibility for patients. The University of Colorado team aimed to determine if the pill form maintained the efficacy needed to treat complex behavioral disorders [1, 2].
Researchers said that the drug may target the same neural mechanisms that regulate appetite and glucose, effectively applying those controls to the craving for alcohol [5]. The trial provides a foundation for subsequent phase-3 testing to determine long-term safety and efficacy across a broader population.
“Oral semaglutide reduced the number of heavy drinking days in adults with alcohol use disorder.”
The results indicate that the metabolic pathways targeted by GLP-1 drugs overlap with the brain's reward system, suggesting that addiction treatment may shift toward systemic hormonal regulation. While the sample size is small, the transition from injectable to oral delivery could significantly lower the barrier for patients seeking medical assistance for alcohol use disorder.
