Effects of dulaglutide on alcohol consumption during smoking cessation.

Probst L, Monnerat S, Vogt DR, Lengsfeld S, Burkard T, Meienberg A, Bathelt C, Christ-Crain M, Winzeler B

JCI insight22 Nov 2023Cited by 73 (Europe PMC)

PMID37991022PMCIDPMC10721313DOI10.1172/jci.insight.170419PepBankPUB-37991022

Summary

BACKGROUNDAlcohol use disorder has a detrimental impact on global health and new treatment targets are needed. Preclinical studies show attenuating effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists on addiction-related behaviors in rodents and nonhuman primates. Some trials have shown an effect of GLP-1 agonism on reward processes in humans; however, results from clinical studies remain inconclusive.METHODSThis is a predefined secondary analysis of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the GLP-1 agonist dulaglutide as a therapy for smoking cessation. The main objective was to assess differences in alcohol consumption after 12 weeks of treatment with dulaglutide compared to placebo. The effect of dulaglutide on alcohol consumption was analyzed using a multivariable generalized linear model.RESULTSIn the primary analysis, participants out of the cohort (n = 255) who reported drinking alcohol at baseline and who completed 12 weeks of treatment (n = 151; placebo n = 75, dulaglutide n = 76) were included. The median age was 42 (IQR 33-53) with 61% (n = 92) females. At week 12, participants receiving dulaglutide drank 29% less (relative effect = 0.71, 95% CI 0.52-0.97, P = 0.04) than participants receiving placebo. Changes in alcohol consumption were not correlated with smoking status at week 12.CONCLUSIONThese results provide evidence that dulaglutide reduces alcohol intake in humans and contribute to the growing body of literature promoting the use of GLP-1 agonists in treatment of substance use disorders.TRIAL REGISTRATIONClinicalTrials.gov NCT03204396.FUNDINGSwiss National Foundation, Gottfried Julia Bangerter-Rhyner Foundation, Goldschmidt-Jacobson Foundation, Hemmi Foundation, University of Basel, University Hospital Basel, Swiss Academy of Medical Science.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study2

1 result from studies that gave the peptide. 1 result from people.

01HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In participants attempting smoking cessation, dulaglutide reduced alcohol consumption by 29% compared with placebo.
In plain wordsIn people trying to stop smoking, dulaglutide reduced drinking by 29% compared with placebo.
Peptide
Dulaglutide (Trulicity)
Outcome
DecreaseAlcohol consumption
Study
n = 151
Comparator
Placebo
Analysis
Secondary
Outcome group
Addiction, withdrawal and alcohol intake · Mental health and mood
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 12 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Relative effect
0.71 ratio
dulaglutide versus placebo
Alcohol reduction
29%
versus placebo
Source sentences
Summary
At week 12, participants receiving dulaglutide drank 29% less (relative effect = 0.71, 95% CI 0.52-0.97, P = 0.04) than participants receiving placebo.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Some trials have shown an effect of GLP-1 agonism on reward processes in humans; however, results from clinical studies remain inconclusive.METHODSThis is a predefined secondary analysis of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the GLP-1 agonist dulaglutide as a therapy for smoking cessation.
Summary · context
In the primary analysis, participants out of the cohort (n = 255) who reported drinking alcohol at baseline and who completed 12 weeks of treatment (n = 151; placebo n = 75, dulaglutide n = 76) were included.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3799102201

Studies that did not test the peptide alone1

In this study, Dulaglutide (Trulicity) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking Dulaglutide (Trulicity).

02HumanNot a test of Dulaglutide (Trulicity) aloneObservational studyOther
In the dulaglutide smoking cessation trial, alcohol consumption changes did not correlate with smoking status at week 12.
In plain wordsIn the dulaglutide trial, changes in drinking were not linked to smoking status at week 12.
Peptide
Dulaglutide (Trulicity)
Outcome
No significant changeAlcohol change correlation with smoking status
Study
n: not reported in source
Analysis
Secondary
Outcome group
Addiction, withdrawal and alcohol intake · Mental health and mood
Source sentences
Summary
Changes in alcohol consumption were not correlated with smoking status at week 12.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Some trials have shown an effect of GLP-1 agonism on reward processes in humans; however, results from clinical studies remain inconclusive.METHODSThis is a predefined secondary analysis of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the GLP-1 agonist dulaglutide as a therapy for smoking cessation.
Summary · context
In the primary analysis, participants out of the cohort (n = 255) who reported drinking alcohol at baseline and who completed 12 weeks of treatment (n = 151; placebo n = 75, dulaglutide n = 76) were included.
In this study, Dulaglutide (Trulicity) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Dulaglutide (Trulicity).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3799102202

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Registered trials1

Trials this study reports on, or that list this study as a reference. Registry data from ClinicalTrials.gov.

1 trial · 1 completed · source ClinicalTrials.gov (opens in a new tab)

CompletedPhase 2NCT03204396

Smoking Cessation Facilitated by Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Analogues

University Hospital, Basel, Switzerlandn = 25626 Jun 2017 to 30 Aug 2022

Glucagon-like Peptide-1 · Smoking Cessation · Weight Change, Body · Craving

Trial page ClinicalTrials.govUpdated 13 Sept 2022

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
22 Oct 2026, 02:25 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
21 Oct 2026, 18:59 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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