Researchers from the University of Gothenburg (Sweden) and the University of Pennsylvania (USA) have shown that the diabetes and weight-loss drug Semaglutide (marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy) can significantly cut cocaine-seeking behavior in rats.
Although the work still needs to be verified in humans, the results suggest that semaglutide could become a potential treatment for cocaine addiction — an area where no effective medicines currently exist. The findings are reported in the September issue of European Neuropsychopharmacology.
In Europe, cocaine is the second most widely used illegal drug. Around 2.7 million young adults (15–34 years) — roughly 2.5% of this population — use cocaine regularly. In the UK, around 2.7% of adults consume cocaine, making its use the second highest in the world. Despite this, there is still no approved pharmacological therapy for cocaine dependence.
In the study, led by Professor Elisabet Jerlhag (University of Gothenburg), rats were given access to cocaine through a self-administration lever system. Animals treated with semaglutide showed a 26% reduction in cocaine intake compared with untreated rats. After an abstinence phase, cocaine-seeking dropped by 62%, and motivation to obtain the drug decreased by 52%.
Professor Jerlhag noted that similar results had previously been observed with alcohol consumption, suggesting a broader effect of semaglutide on addictive behaviors. She emphasized, however, that these are early animal studies:
“We need larger studies to confirm the findings, and eventually human trials to know if semaglutide can really help with cocaine addiction. Still, the data are promising given the lack of medical treatments for this disorder.”
Semaglutide is part of the GLP-1 receptor agonist drug class, which has already revolutionized obesity and diabetes management. Commenting on the work, Professor Christian Hendershot (University of Southern California), who was not involved in the research, said the study was well-designed and supports the idea of testing GLP-1 drugs for stimulant use disorders in humans.
