A small clinical trial suggests that a daily GLP-1 pill could become a new tool for reducing heavy drinking. Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz tested once-daily oral semaglutide in people with alcohol use disorder and found better results than placebo across several measures.
The findings add to growing interest in GLP-1 medicines beyond weight loss and diabetes care. In this study, participants taking oral semaglutide reportedly showed multiple improvements linked to problem drinking, pointing to a possible new use for the drug class.
Because the trial was small and randomized, the results are encouraging but still early. The study does not establish that semaglutide is a proven treatment for alcohol use disorder, but it does suggest that a larger round of research is warranted to confirm how well the pill works and who may benefit most.
If future studies support these results, oral semaglutide could offer a more convenient option than injectable GLP-1 medicines for people struggling with heavy drinking. For now, the trial provides preliminary evidence that a once-daily pill may help curb alcohol use in some patients.
