Semaglutide may show promise in helping people to stop smoking, researchers say
Smokers with type 2 diabetes who took the medication were less likely to need medical care linked to their smoking, a study found.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A weight-loss jab may have the potential to help people quit smoking, researchers suggest.
Smokers with type 2 diabetes who took semaglutide, sold under the brand name Wegovy, were less likely to need medical care linked to their smoking, a study found.
The findings indicate that the drug needs to be investigated for its use in helping people stop smoking, researchers say.
Semaglutide was associated with reduced smoking cessation medication prescriptions and counselling
When compared with seven other diabetes medications, new use of semaglutide was associated with a lower risk for medical care related to tobacco addiction (tobacco use disorder – TUD), the study found.
People who used the drug were less likely to be diagnosed with TUD, or prescribed medication to stop smoking, or smoking cessation counselling.
Writing in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, the researchers said: “Semaglutide was associated with reduced smoking cessation medication prescriptions and counselling.
“Similar findings were observed in patients with and without a diagnosis of obesity.”
They added: “These findings suggest the need for clinical trials to evaluate semaglutide’s potential for TUD treatment.”
In the past there have been reports of reduced desire to smoke in patients treated with semaglutide, which is also used to treat obesity, raising interest about its potential benefit for use in helping people stop smoking.
The researchers from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the National Institutes of Health, and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in the US, said similar effects were observed in and with a diagnosis of obesity and results were seen primarily within 30 days of prescription.
In the UK semaglutide is prescribed as a weight-loss jab, and is approved for use to help reduce the risk of heart problems in people who are overweight or obese.