“A new study published this morning in JAMA Network Open shows large reductions in the likelihood of opioid overdose among patients receiving semaglutide (Ozempic) for diabetes compared to other diabetes medications. This is the fourth paper this year from Dr. Rong Xu and co-authored by NIDA Director Nora Volkow showing dramatically lower risks of substance use disorders among patients receiving semaglutide.

‘In this study, we observed a 40%-60% reduction in opioid overdose for semaglutide compared with other anti-diabetics, including other GLP-1RAs in patients with OUD and comorbid type 2 diabetes. These findings provide real-world evidence supporting future randomized clinical trials and mechanistic studies,’ Dr. Xu told us.

This study adds to the rapidly accumulating body of evidence from randomized controlled trials and patient health record studies showing broad reductions in craving and consumption of alcohol, opioids, nicotine, and cannabis among people taking current generation GLP-1 medications like semaglutide.”

From Recursive Adaptation.