WASHINGTON (TNND) — new study Studies suggest that drugs like Ozempic may help reduce the risk of overdose and alcoholism in people with substance abuse disorders.
Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an associate professor of medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, said she is a supporter of this type of research.
“I think these actually encourage research,” Professor Stanford said.
This particular study, published in the journal Addiction, suggests that weight loss drugs may reduce the risk of overdose and alcohol poisoning.
“These drugs, which are glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists and are called GIPs, appear to be in widespread use,” Professor Stanford said.
Researchers looked at the health records of more than 1 million people and found that 40% of people who took weight loss drugs were less likely to overdose, and 50% were less likely to drink alcohol.
“I think it’s possible and possible that there will actually be data and use case scenarios that could lead to approval of these drugs in the future,” Stanford said.
Dr. David Lau, a professor of medicine at the University of Calgary, said this study provides evidence supporting the unexpected benefits of these weight loss drugs.
“This class of medications may have real benefits in terms of improving or reducing addictive behavior,” Lau said.
Professor Stanford said that in addition to potentially treating addiction, these drugs could also help break down the stigma associated with drug abuse.
“We have treatments that can help reduce the stigma and stigma that these people have experienced for so long,” Professor Stanford said.
When it comes to prescribing these drugs to treat drug abuse, this is not possible at this time as they are not approved by the FDA for that purpose.
