Weight Loss drugs Delay Alcohol Effects, Study Finds
NEW DELHI: Medications commonly used for diabetes and weight management – including semaglutide and tirzepatide – may also help reduce alcohol consumption by slowing its absorption into the bloodstream, according to new research from Virginia Tech.The study,published in Scientific Reports,indicates these drugs,known as GLP-1 agonists,delay the effects of alcohol on the brain.
Researchers observed that individuals taking GLP-1 medications experienced a slower rise in blood alcohol concentration after consuming a standardized amount of alcohol designed to reach 0.08% breath alcohol content. This mirrors the difference between slowly sipping a drink versus quickly consuming a shot, explained Alex DiFeliceantonio, Assistant Professor at Virginia Tech’s fralin Biomedical Research Institute.
The pilot study involved 20 participants and showed those taking semaglutide, tirzepatide, or liraglutide also reported feeling less intoxicated. This suggests the drugs impact alcohol’s effects beyond simply altering blood alcohol levels.
Unlike existing medications for alcohol use disorder, such as naltrexone and acamprosate, which target the central nervous system, GLP-1 agonists appear to work through a different pathway. The study found these drugs slow gastric emptying – the rate at which the stomach releases contents into the small intestine – resulting in a more gradual increase in blood alcohol levels.
Researchers believe this finding could offer a novel approach to treating alcohol addiction. “the possibility of offering new hope to individuals struggling with addiction is what makes this work so meaningful,” they stated.
