Overview
- A phase 2, eight-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 50 adults published July 29, 2026 found that oral semaglutide reduced participants' heavy drinking days compared with placebo.
- The semaglutide group also showed fewer drinks per drinking day, lower day-to-day alcohol cravings, reduced alcohol-related problems, improved WHO risk drinking levels, and fewer cannabis use days.
- Not all prespecified laboratory measures met significance: the trial did not significantly reduce cue-elicited craving or drinks per day on some controlled analyses, which leaves the overall signal promising but mixed.
- Oral semaglutide was generally well tolerated with mostly mild side effects and high adherence, and researchers highlight the pill form as potentially more acceptable than injections for many people with AUD.
- Study authors and funders including NIAAA are planning larger, longer trials to confirm efficacy, refine dosing, and support any future regulatory review while semaglutide remains investigational for AUD.