A recent study suggests that semaglutide, typically used for Type 2 diabetes, may significantly reduce the risk of opioid overdoses in patients with opioid use disorder, according to research published Sept. 25 by JAMA Network.
Here are four notes:
- The cohort study compared semaglutide's effect on opioid overdose risk against various antidiabetic medications in patients with both Type 2 diabetes and opioid use disorder, using electronic health records from the TriNetX analytics platform.
- Among 33,006 patients, those prescribed semaglutide showed a significantly lower risk of opioid overdose during a one-year followup, with hazard ratios indicating up to 68% reduced risk compared to other antidiabetic drugs.
- The research also indicated that semaglutide may modulate dopamine reward signaling and reduce the craving for drugs such as heroin, showing promise in managing addiction.
- Semaglutide's potential as an addiction treatment is gaining traction, with experts suggesting its ability to influence the brain's reward system could pave the way for new therapeutic strategies in managing opioid use disorder and other substance addictions, Becker's previously reported. Several trials are also underway to examine whether semaglutide can curb cravings for alcohol and the potential for reducing the risk of dementia.