New Study Reveals Ozempic’s Potential to Reduce Opioid Overdoses
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open has found that people with a history of opioid abuse who took Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic were less likely to overdose. This study adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that Ozempic may help manage addiction.
Study Findings
The study, led by Rong Xu, a professor of biomedical informatics at Case Western Reserve University, analyzed medical records of patients with type 2 diabetes and a history of opioid abuse. The researchers found that patients taking semaglutide, the key ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, were less than half as likely to overdose as those taking insulin. Additionally, patients taking semaglutide were 63% less likely to overdose than those taking DPP-4 inhibitors, a widely used type of diabetes pill.
The Connection Between Semaglutide and Reduced Opioid Overdoses
The study’s findings are remarkable, and Xu believes that semaglutide may be linked to a reduction in opioid overdoses. This is not the first time semaglutide has been linked to a reduction in substance use disorders. Xu’s team had previously found that semaglutide was associated with a reduction in both alcohol use disorder and smoking.
Ozempic’s Potential to Blunt Cravings
As use of powerful new weight-loss drugs spreads, interest is growing in whether these medicines can blunt not just appetite but also cravings for other substances. While drugmakers have been reluctant to dive into the area, Novo is looking at alcohol consumption in a trial that started this year.
Methodology
The Case Western study used medical records to create a database of patients with similar characteristics and followed them for a year to see if they needed medical care for an overdose. The study included people with an opioid use disorder, without being able to adjust for whether they were active addicts. All the patients also had type 2 diabetes, and about two-thirds had obesity.
Comparison to Other Diabetes Drugs
The reduced risk with semaglutide held true compared to most other diabetes drug types, including older medicines that work in a similar way to Ozempic, with the exception of Eli Lilly & Co.’s Trulicity. The researchers didn’t compare the Novo drugs with Lilly’s newer diabetes shot, Mounjaro.
Conclusion
The study’s findings suggest that Ozempic may be a valuable tool in managing opioid addiction. Further research is needed to fully understand the connection between semaglutide and reduced opioid overdoses. However, the potential benefits of Ozempic in this area are promising.
FAQs
Q: What is Ozempic?
A: Ozempic is a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes.
Q: What is semaglutide?
A: Semaglutide is the key ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, a type of diabetes medication.
Q: What did the study find?
A: The study found that patients taking semaglutide were less likely to overdose compared to those taking insulin or DPP-4 inhibitors.
Q: What are the implications of the study?
A: The study suggests that Ozempic may be a valuable tool in managing opioid addiction.
Q: What is the next step?
A: Further research is needed to fully understand the connection between semaglutide and reduced opioid overdoses.
Q: Will Novo continue to explore the potential benefits of Ozempic in managing addiction?
A: Yes, Novo is currently conducting a trial to examine the potential benefits of Ozempic in managing alcohol consumption.
Author: fortune.com
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