Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists for the treatment of opioid use disorders: a systematic review.

Au HCT, Lam PH, Kabir F, Huang CL, Dri CE, Le GH, Kwan ATH, Wong S, Teopiz KM, McIntyre RS

Acta neuropsychiatrica3 Sept 2025Cited by 5 (Europe PMC)

PMID40899147PMCIDPMC13130282DOI10.1017/neu.2025.10038PepBankPUB-40899147

Summary

IntroductionExtant literature indicated that glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) may potentially reduce risk of opioid overdose in persons with opioid use disorders (OUDs). Herein, we conducted a comprehensive synthesis of the effects of GLP-1 and GLP-1 RAs on OUDs.MethodsWe examined preclinical and clinical paradigms examining the effects of GLP-1 and GLP-1 RAs on OUD and OUD-associated behaviours (i.e. opioid self-administration, opioid-seeking behaviour). Relevant articles were retrieved from OVID (MedLine, Embase, AMED, PsychINFO, and JBI EBP Database), PubMed, and Web of Science from database inception to 1 May 2025. Primary studies (n = 10) examining the aforementioned effects associated with GLP-1 and GLP-1 RA administration were retrieved for analysis.ResultsGLP-1 RAs (i.e. exenatide, liraglutide) reduced opioid-seeking behaviour (p p < 0.05) in preclinical paradigms. In addition, results from human studies indicate that GLP-1 administration was associated with reducing the risk of opioid overdose in human studies (aIRR = 0.60, 95% CI [0.43, 0.83]).ConclusionGLP-1 RAs may affect opioid self-administration as well as the risk for overdose as evidenced by both preclinical and clinical data. There is a need for adequate well-controlled studies to determine whether GLP-1 RAs may provide clinically meaningful improvement and risk reduction in persons living with OUDs.

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

Results from this study2

No result from this study comes from a test of the peptide.

Studies that did not test the peptide alone2

In this study, Liraglutide 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 Liraglutide.

01AnimalNot a test of Liraglutide aloneOther designEfficacy outcome
In preclinical paradigms, pooled GLP-1 receptor agonists including liraglutide reduced opioid-seeking behavior (p < 0.05).
In plain wordsIn preclinical studies, pooled GLP-1 drugs including liraglutide reduced opioid-seeking behavior; the exact reference was unstated.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
DecreaseOpioid-seeking behavior
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Addiction, withdrawal and alcohol intake · Nervous system and cognition
Measurements
P-value
< 0.05
pooled preclinical outcome
Source sentences
Summary
GLP-1 RAs (i.e. exenatide, liraglutide) reduced opioid-seeking behaviour (p p < 0.05) in preclinical paradigms.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We examined preclinical and clinical paradigms examining the effects of GLP-1 and GLP-1 RAs on OUD and OUD-associated behaviours (i.e. opioid self-administration, opioid-seeking behaviour).
Summary · context
Relevant articles were retrieved from OVID (MedLine, Embase, AMED, PsychINFO, and JBI EBP Database), PubMed, and Web of Science from database inception to 1 May 2025.
In this study, Liraglutide 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 Liraglutide.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4089914701
02AnimalNot a test of Liraglutide aloneOther designEfficacy outcome
In preclinical paradigms, pooled GLP-1 receptor agonists including liraglutide reduced opioid self-administration (p < 0.05).
In plain wordsIn preclinical studies, pooled GLP-1 drugs including liraglutide reduced opioid self-administration; the exact reference was unstated.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
DecreaseOpioid self-administration
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Addiction, withdrawal and alcohol intake · Nervous system and cognition
Measurements
P-value
< 0.05
pooled preclinical outcome
Source sentences
Summary
GLP-1 RAs (i.e. exenatide, liraglutide) reduced opioid-seeking behaviour (p p < 0.05) in preclinical paradigms.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We examined preclinical and clinical paradigms examining the effects of GLP-1 and GLP-1 RAs on OUD and OUD-associated behaviours (i.e. opioid self-administration, opioid-seeking behaviour).
Summary · context
Relevant articles were retrieved from OVID (MedLine, Embase, AMED, PsychINFO, and JBI EBP Database), PubMed, and Web of Science from database inception to 1 May 2025.
In this study, Liraglutide 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 Liraglutide.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4089914702

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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
12 Oct 2026, 11:11 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 03:04 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

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