Can semaglutide reduce alcohol cravings? What new research really tells us

Can Semaglutide reduce alcohol cravings? What new research really tells us

Semaglutide is best known as a prescription medicine used for certain approved medical purposes, including weight management for some people. Researchers are now investigating whether it may also affect cravings and patterns of alcohol consumption.

A clinical trial published in The Lancet in 2026 has added important evidence to that discussion. The results are encouraging, but they need to be understood carefully. This was one relatively small study involving a specific group of people, and semaglutide is not currently an approved treatment for alcohol use disorder in the UK.

At Keltoi Wellness, we believe new health research should be explained clearly and without turning early findings into promises. Here is what the study found, along with the questions it cannot yet answer.

Why are researchers studying semaglutide and alcohol?

Semaglutide belongs to a group of medicines that act on the GLP 1 system. This system is involved in appetite, digestion and blood sugar regulation. Scientists are also studying its relationship with areas of the brain involved in motivation, reward and craving.

Some people taking this type of medicine have reported changes in their interest in alcohol. Earlier laboratory research and observational studies also suggested a possible connection. However, personal reports and observational data cannot show by themselves that a medicine causes a reduction in drinking. A controlled clinical trial is needed to test that question more reliably.

How was the new trial conducted?

The study involved 108 adults in Denmark who were seeking help for moderate to severe alcohol use disorder and who also had a body mass index of 30 or above.

Participants were randomly placed into two groups. One group received semaglutide once a week, while the other received a placebo. Neither the participants nor the clinical team knew which treatment each person was receiving during the trial. This is known as a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled design.

The study lasted for 26 weeks. Importantly, both groups were also offered cognitive behavioural therapy. The therapy focused on motivation, managing cravings and reducing the risk of returning to heavy drinking.

Researchers recorded alcohol consumption and examined the proportion of days on which participants drank heavily. They also used a blood marker associated with recent alcohol consumption to compare with the information reported by participants.

What did the researchers find?

Both groups reduced their number of heavy drinking days during the study, but the reduction was greater among participants who received semaglutide.

Heavy drinking days fell by 41.1 percentage points in the semaglutide group and by 26.4 percentage points in the placebo group. After statistical analysis, the estimated difference between the groups was 13.7 percentage points.

This distinction matters. The result does not mean that semaglutide made every participant drink 41 per cent less. It describes the average change in the proportion of heavy drinking days across the group.

The researchers also reported greater reductions in overall alcohol consumption, the number of drinks consumed on drinking days and reported alcohol cravings among those receiving semaglutide. Changes in the blood marker broadly supported the reported reduction in alcohol use.

These findings suggest that semaglutide deserves further investigation as a possible future option for people who have both alcohol use disorder and obesity. They do not establish it as a standard or approved treatment.

What does the study not prove?

The headlines can make the results sound more conclusive than they are. Several important limits remain.

First, the trial included only 108 people and was carried out at one clinical centre. Larger studies involving different locations and more varied populations are needed before the findings can be applied widely.

Second, every participant had a body mass index of at least 30. The results therefore cannot tell us whether the same effect would occur in people who do not have obesity.

Third, the trial lasted for 26 weeks. It did not establish whether the reduction in heavy drinking would continue over the longer term or what would happen after semaglutide was stopped.

Fourth, both groups were offered cognitive behavioural therapy. This was a strength of the study because participants received recognised behavioural support, but it also means the results should not be presented as evidence that a medicine alone provides a complete treatment for alcohol use disorder.

Finally, the study was designed to investigate a clinical question. It was not evidence that semaglutide should now be requested or prescribed specifically to reduce alcohol consumption.

Is semaglutide approved to treat alcohol use disorder?

No. Semaglutide is not currently authorised in the UK as a treatment for alcohol use disorder.

The licensed uses depend on the particular formulation and the individual patient’s circumstances. Any prescription must follow an appropriate clinical assessment and should be used only for the purpose considered suitable by the prescriber.

No one should start semaglutide, change their dose or continue taking it for the purpose of reducing alcohol consumption without discussing their circumstances with an appropriate healthcare professional.

Safety still matters

Participants receiving semaglutide reported side effects more often than those receiving the placebo. These were mainly digestive effects such as nausea, vomiting, reduced appetite and abdominal discomfort. Most were described as temporary and mild to moderate, although some participants stopped treatment because of side effects.

The wider safety considerations for semaglutide are not changed by this study. Whether any prescription medicine is appropriate depends on a person’s medical history, current medicines, symptoms and individual risk factors.

People who already take semaglutide should speak to their prescriber if they have questions about alcohol, side effects or any unexpected change in their health. They should not alter their treatment based on a news report or blog article.

A promising result, but not a new treatment yet

This trial provides credible evidence of a possible relationship between semaglutide and reduced heavy drinking among adults who had both alcohol use disorder and obesity. Its randomised and placebo controlled design makes it more informative than personal stories or observations alone.

The responsible conclusion is still a cautious one. The findings are promising enough to justify larger and longer studies, but they are not enough to turn semaglutide into an established treatment for alcohol use disorder.

That difference between promising research and proven clinical practice is important. New evidence can change medicine, but it must be tested, reviewed and placed within appropriate guidance before it becomes routine care.

Getting help with alcohol in Northern Ireland

If you are worried about your drinking, speak to your GP or contact a local alcohol support service. Some services in Northern Ireland accept self referrals.

If you may be dependent on alcohol, do not suddenly stop drinking without medical advice. Alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous and may require professional support.

Call 999 or attend an emergency department if you or someone else develops severe shaking, confusion, hallucinations or a seizure after stopping or reducing alcohol.

Keltoi Wellness does not provide treatment for alcohol use disorder. This article is for general information and is not a diagnosis, recommendation or substitute for individual medical advice.

Frequently asked questions

Does semaglutide stop alcohol cravings?

The 2026 trial found a greater average reduction in reported alcohol cravings and heavy drinking days among participants receiving semaglutide than among those receiving a placebo. It does not show that cravings will stop for every person.

Can semaglutide be prescribed for alcohol dependence?

Semaglutide is not currently authorised in the UK to treat alcohol use disorder. Anyone concerned about alcohol dependence should speak to a GP or specialist alcohol service about established treatment and support.

Should I change my semaglutide treatment if my interest in alcohol changes?

No treatment change should be made on the basis of this study or any personal change in cravings. Speak to the clinician responsible for your care before changing your dose or stopping a prescribed medicine.

Where can I find alcohol support in Northern Ireland?

NI Direct provides information about local drug and alcohol services, including services that accept self referrals. Your GP can also provide advice and refer you for appropriate support.

Sources and further reading

Klausen and colleagues, Once weekly semaglutide versus placebo in patients with alcohol use disorder and comorbid obesity, The Lancet, 2026

ClinicalTrials.gov study record NCT05895643

NHS information about alcohol use disorder

NI Direct guidance on getting help with drug or alcohol problems

UK product information for semaglutide

Last updated: August 2026