VA Starts 622-Patient GLP-1 Alcohol Disorder Trial at 18 Sites
Updated
Updated · The Philadelphia Inquirer · Aug 19
VA Starts 622-Patient GLP-1 Alcohol Disorder Trial at 18 Sites
3 articles · Updated · The Philadelphia Inquirer · Aug 19
Summary
Recruitment began this week for a national VA study that will enroll 622 veterans to test whether semaglutide can safely and effectively treat moderate to severe alcohol use disorder.
Eighteen VA sites, including Philadelphia, will run the six-month randomized trial, with half of participants receiving the drug and half a placebo in a blinded design aimed at meeting FDA standards.
David Oslin, the Philadelphia VA psychiatrist leading the study, said anecdotal reports and three small U.S. trials suggested GLP-1 drugs may curb alcohol cravings by acting on brain reward pathways.
About 28 million Americans have alcohol use disorder, yet fewer than 10% receive treatment in a given year; Oslin said a familiar primary-care drug could widen uptake if results hold.
Results are expected in about three years and could support adding alcohol use disorder to semaglutide's label if the trial confirms safety and efficacy.