A surprising new study has uncovered a potential new use for semaglutide, a popular diabetes medication — reducing the risk of opioid overdoses. This discovery could be a game-changer for people living with both type 2 diabetes and opioid use disorder (OUD), offering hope for those struggling with both conditions.
The study, published in JAMA Network Open, analyzed health records of over 33,000 people with type 2 diabetes who also had OUD. Researchers compared those who were prescribed semaglutide to those taking other diabetes medications, such as insulin, metformin, or other drugs commonly used to control blood glucose. The results were surprising: semaglutide was associated with a significantly lower risk of opioid overdose compared to the other medications, including other GLP-1 receptor agonists like liraglutide and dulaglutide.
Semaglutide, typically used to manage type 2 diabetes and obesity, seems to influence the brain’s reward system, which might reduce cravings for addictive substances. Previous research in animals suggested that it could lower the desire for drugs like heroin. This new study, however, is one of the first to look at its effect on opioid use in humans.
The research involved people who were prescribed semaglutide between 2017 and 2023. After matching them based on factors like age, sex, and health conditions, the study found that those on semaglutide had a 32-58% lower risk of opioid overdose during the one-year follow-up compared to those on other diabetes medications. The findings suggest that semaglutide may help reduce the likelihood of an overdose, though more studies are needed to confirm this.
While these results are promising, the study has some limitations. Because it was based on health records, certain factors that weren’t measured could have influenced the outcomes. More research, including randomized clinical trials, is needed to better understand how semaglutide might protect against opioid overdoses.
This study opens the door to exciting possibilities. Could semaglutide become a treatment option not only for diabetes but also for preventing opioid overdoses? Researchers are eager to explore this further and see how it could impact the future of treatment for those facing both diabetes and opioid addiction.