(NEXSTAR) – From unexpected babies to "Ozempic teeth," the ultra-popular class of GLP-1 medications is turning out to have a few unanticipated side effects. Emerging research shows the drugs, which have proven effective in treating obesity and diabetes, may also be useful in treating addiction.
The medications' full potential is coming to light as more people are prescribed a GLP-1, which includes the brand names Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy and Zepbound. As 15% of Americans say they've tried a GLP-1, researchers are learning more about how it impacts all aspects of life, not just diet.
"This drug has been available in the medical community since 2005," said Dr. Eugene Lucas, professor and coordinator of the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program at Wilkes University. "And over time, when physicians are ordering these medications for people with obesity, diabetes, they're finding that if they have a concurrent addictive disorder, and specifically alcohol, that they're either cutting back or stopping their alcohol use."
A large study of more than 200,000 people in Sweden found using a GLP-1 drug was ***** ociated with a decreased risk of hospitalization from alcohol use disorder.
Another study by researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine, which looked at 600,000 veterans with type 2 diabetes, found the medications were tied to a lower risk of developing any kind of substance use disorder.
#medications #diabetes #disorder #university
The medications' full potential is coming to light as more people are prescribed a GLP-1, which includes the brand names Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy and Zepbound. As 15% of Americans say they've tried a GLP-1, researchers are learning more about how it impacts all aspects of life, not just diet.
"This drug has been available in the medical community since 2005," said Dr. Eugene Lucas, professor and coordinator of the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program at Wilkes University. "And over time, when physicians are ordering these medications for people with obesity, diabetes, they're finding that if they have a concurrent addictive disorder, and specifically alcohol, that they're either cutting back or stopping their alcohol use."
A large study of more than 200,000 people in Sweden found using a GLP-1 drug was ***** ociated with a decreased risk of hospitalization from alcohol use disorder.
Another study by researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine, which looked at 600,000 veterans with type 2 diabetes, found the medications were tied to a lower risk of developing any kind of substance use disorder.
#medications #diabetes #disorder #university
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