Semaglutide may help treat tobacco addiction
A recent study has added further support to the idea that semaglutide, the active ingredient in popular medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy, could play a significant role in treating addiction.
Researchers discovered that individuals prescribed semaglutide for type 2 diabetes were less likely to seek medical care for tobacco use compared to those on other diabetes medications.
Semaglutide, known for its efficacy in treating obesity and type 2 diabetes, works by mimicking a hormone that reduces appetite and regulates blood sugar levels. Previous studies have also linked it to reduced rates of cannabis use disorder and alcoholism.
In a bid to understand semaglutide's potential impact on tobacco addiction, Rong Xu from Case Western Reserve University in Ohio, along with her team, analysed data from electronic health records of nearly 223,000 U.S. patients with type 2 diabetes and tobacco addiction. Among them, nearly 6,000 were prescribed semaglutide, while the rest were on one of seven other diabetes medications.
The researchers monitored whether these individuals sought any form of tobacco-related healthcare, including consultations or smoking cessation treatments, within a year of starting their diabetes medications.
After adjusting for variables like age, sex, race, and certain health conditions, the findings revealed that semaglutide users were generally less likely to receive tobacco-related healthcare. Specifically, they were 32 per cent less likely than insulin users and 18 per cent less likely than metformin users to seek such care, suggesting a higher success rate in quitting smoking.
Xu notes that prior to starting their diabetes medications, all individuals sought tobacco-related healthcare at similar rates, indicating that semaglutide itself might have contributed to the reduction in tobacco-related healthcare needs.
This emerging evidence highlights the multifaceted benefits of semaglutide, potentially offering a new avenue for addiction treatment alongside its established role in managing obesity and type 2 diabetes.