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Study Finds Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic Cuts Opioid Overdose by 40% and Alcohol Intoxication by 50%

Oct 17, 2024, 12:00 PM

A new study has found that semaglutide, a GLP-1 agonist medication commonly used for diabetes management and weight loss, can significantly reduce the risk of opioid overdose and alcohol intoxication. The study, which analyzed health records of over 1.3 million Americans with a history of substance use disorders, revealed that those prescribed medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Trulicity experienced a 40% reduction in opioid overdose rates and a 50% reduction in alcohol intoxication rates. These findings suggest that GLP-1 drugs, including Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic, could offer additional health benefits beyond their primary use for diabetes and weight loss. The study also noted a reduction in hospitalizations for heroin overdose. Additionally, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a 3% decrease in overdose deaths in 2023, marking the first annual decline in years.