Semaglutide’s Role in Reducing Tobacco Use Disorder in Diabetic Patients: A New Avenue for Smoking Cessation?

A new study from Case Western Reserve School of Medicine reveals that semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist used for type 2 diabetes and obesity, reduces the desire to smoke in patients with tobacco use disorder. Analyzing electronic health records of nearly 229,000 US patients from 2017 to 2023, the research found those on semaglutide were less likely to seek smoking addiction-related healthcare compared to those on other diabetes medications. The research, led by Professor Rong Xu, emphasizes the need for alternative smoking cessation medications due to high relapse rates. Although reduced healthcare visits might indicate smoking relapse or decreased quitting interest, the study suggests semaglutide’s potential in reducing smoking desire. Published in Annals of Internal Medicine, the study compares semaglutide with seven other antidiabetic drugs.The WHO identifies tobacco use as a significant health risk, causing over eight million deaths annually. As smokers often fear weight gain upon quitting, the study underscores the importance of nutritional support in addiction treatment.

Source: https://www.nutritioninsight.com/news/some-glp-1-medications-could-treat-smoking-addiction-new-research-suggests.html