Lisa Miller-Matero, PhD
Associate Scientist & Associate Director of Health Services Research
Henry Ford Health
WeightControl.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: We partnered with colleagues at Weight Watchers (WW International) on this project after they began receiving reports from their members that they noticed reduced desire for alcohol use. Though there has been some research conducted in animal studies, research in humans has been lacking, especially examining changes in alcohol use.
WeightControl.com: What are the main findings?
Response: We found that about half of individuals who were drinking before starting an anti-obesity medication reduced their alcohol use after beginning the medication. What was exciting was that those who were drinking at higher or even what is considered hazardous levels had a greater likelihood of reducing alcohol use.
WeightControl.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: Though anti-obesity medications assist with weight management, they could also possibly play a role in reducing alcohol use.
WeightControl.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this work?
Response: While it’s a bit early to make recommendations about using anti-obesity medications for treatment of substance use disorders, this work is promising and suggests that medications to treat obesity could possibly also have an impact on reducing substance use. These findings warrant further research in this area.
WeightControl.com: Is there anything else you would like to add? Any disclosures?
Response: We found that about half of individuals who were drinking before starting an anti-obesity medication reduced their alcohol use after beginning the medication. What was exciting was that those who were drinking at higher or even what is considered hazardous levels had a greater likelihood of reducing alcohol use.
Citation:
Miller-Matero LR, Yeh H, Ma L, et al. Alcohol Use and Antiobesity Medication Treatment. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(11):e2447644. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.47644
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Last Updated on November 27, 2024 by weightcontrol