A new study reveals that people with type 2 diabetes who are prescribed semaglutide medications, such as Ozempic and Rybelsus, may face a reduced risk of opioid overdose. This research, published Wednesday, highlights a potential new benefit of the blockbuster drug often prescribed to help manage diabetes and weight-related conditions.
The study, conducted by researchers at Case Western Reserve University and the National Institute on Drug Abuse, found a significant association between the use of semaglutide and lower opioid overdose rates among patients diagnosed with opioid use disorder. While this is promising news, the study authors cautioned that more research is needed to better understand how these drugs may help prevent opioid-related deaths.
“GLP-1 medications like Ozempic have already transformed the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity by lowering risks of associated diseases,” said Nora Volkow, the director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, in a statement. “The preliminary findings of this study point to the possibility that GLP-1 medications may also play a role in preventing opioid overdoses.”
The study analyzed six years of observational data from de-identified electronic health records, focusing on over 33,000 patients with type 2 diabetes and opioid use disorder. According to the researchers, patients on semaglutide experienced a “significantly lower” risk of opioid overdose than those prescribed other diabetes medications.
Despite these findings, the researchers emphasized that much remains unclear about the link between GLP-1 medications and opioid overdose prevention. Randomized controlled trials, they argue, are essential to validate these early results.
The Public Health Implications
While the study suggests a possible new approach to addressing the opioid epidemic, there are limitations. Many questions remain about whether semaglutide can be made widely accessible to individuals with opioid use disorder, especially given the high cost of these medications.
Additionally, it remains unclear if patients using semaglutide are typically those who are exposed to the highest risk opioids, such as fentanyl, which has caused tens of thousands of overdose deaths in recent years. Even so, semaglutide and similar medications may offer an alternative treatment for those who struggle to access conventional addiction treatments, like methadone or buprenorphine.
Rong Xu, a professor at Case Western and co-leader of the study, emphasized the importance of continuing research in this area. “Alternative medications to treat opioid use disorder are crucial,” Xu said. “Our findings suggest that semaglutide could offer new possibilities in fighting this deadly epidemic.”
Despite the positive preliminary results, the researchers also noted that semaglutide drugs are not without side effects. In an earlier study, more than half of participants failed to complete a three-week trial of liraglutide — another GLP-1 medication — due to gastrointestinal discomfort.
Looking Ahead
As researchers continue to explore the potential benefits of GLP-1 drugs in reducing opioid-related deaths, this study provides a glimmer of hope in the fight against opioid addiction. However, more studies are necessary before these findings can be fully applied to broader public health initiatives.
With ongoing concerns about the opioid crisis and limited access to affordable addiction treatments, alternative medications like semaglutide may offer new avenues for addressing a pressing health challenge.