Boxes of Ozempic and Wegovy made by Novo Nordisk are seen at a pharmacy in London, Britain March 8, 2024. Hollie Adams | Reuters A version of this article first appeared in CNBC's Healthy Returns newsletter, which brings the latest health-care news straight to your inbox. Subscribe here to receive future editions.
Yet another study shows that blockbuster GLP-1 drugs may offer health benefits beyond diabetes and weight loss. This time, more research is showing that they may significantly curb addictive behaviors. Drugs such as Novo Nordisk 's highly popular diabetes injection Ozempic can cut drug and alcohol abuse by around half, according to a new study published last week in the scientific journal Addiction.
That suggests Ozempic and similar medications could potentially become a new treatment for opioid and alcohol use disorder. "This study not only contributes to the evolving landscape of substance use therapy but also opens avenues for more comprehensive and effective treatment strategies for those affected by" the two disorders, the study authors wrote . Here's why that's important.
More tools are needed to address the ongoing U.S. opioid epidemic, which was declared a public health emergency in 2017.
In 2021, an estimated 2.5 million people ages 18 or above in the U.S.
had opioid use disorder in the past year, but only 22% received medications to treat it, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Opioids are a factor in around 72% of overdose deaths in the U.S.
