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As medication like Wegovy and Ozempic have change into in style weight reduction instruments, some docs and sufferers are additionally seeing a shocking facet impact: diminished cravings for alcohol.
Megan Johnston began taking semaglutide, the lively ingredient in a number of manufacturers of weight reduction medication, final yr to attempt to drop some weight. The 38-year-old Arlington, Virginia, actual property agent stated she gained 30 kilos through the pandemic, and was consuming extra too.
“At my check-up final yr I keep in mind telling my physician I used to be consuming upwards of 15 drinks every week,” Johnston advised CBS Information.
She’s severely reduce since then.
“Some weeks, none,” she stated of her consuming habits today. “Final week was one. Perhaps common three.”
Johnston is amongst many sufferers who’ve reported fewer cravings for alcohol whereas taking semaglutide for weight reduction.
“If it seems that this treatment is protected and efficient for treating habit, simply by dint of how many individuals are already taking these drugs for different functions, this might change into actually the biggest and most generally used pharmacotherapy for habit drugs that is ever been developed,” stated Kyle Simmons, the director of Oklahoma State College’s Biomedical Imaging Middle and a professor of pharmacology and physiology.
Simmons is working certainly one of a number of medical trials presently underway to look at whether or not semaglutide reduces cravings for alcohol.
He says the drug impacts the mind and seems to take away the pleasure acquired from consuming alcohol. However he additionally made it clear, “We simply do not know but whether or not or not the treatment is protected and efficient for the therapy of alcohol use dysfunction.”
As with most drugs, Wegovy and Ozempic additionally include the danger of unwanted side effects. The commonest, in line with Ozempic’s web site, are nausea, abdomen ache, constipation, diarrhea and vomiting.
“Power belly ache and unpredictable digestive signs comparable to nausea, diarrhea, fullness or constipation can take a big toll in your temper and power ranges,” Laurie A. Keefer, an educational well being psychologist and the Director for Psychobehavioral Analysis at Mount Sinai’s Division of Gastroenterology, beforehand advised CBS Information.
Rarer however extra severe unwanted side effects of Ozempic could embody thyroid tumors, pancreatitis, modifications in imaginative and prescient, hypoglycemia, gallbladder points, kidney failure and most cancers.
It is also unclear how these medication would possibly have an effect on individuals after long-term use.
The medication are additionally not low-cost. In 2023, Wegovy was in brief provide and price round $1,300 a month.
Johnston, nevertheless, has been proud of the outcomes.
“I went into it optimistic. Low expectations, and it actually panned out for me,” she stated.
Johnston stated she misplaced 45 kilos over seven months and lower her consuming by 75%.
Sara Moniuszko and Cara Korte contributed reporting.
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