ArticleEClinicalMedicine2025
Effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists on alcohol consumption: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Article in EClinicalMedicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- The dynamic spectrum of steatotic liver disease: the global perspective.Nature reviews. Gastroenterology & hepatology · 2026Review
- Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists and Alcohol Use Outcomes: A Systematic Review of Clinical Evidence.Journal of clinical medicine · 2026Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
10 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a major global health burden with high relapse rates and limited treatment uptake. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), developed for type 2 diabetes and obesity, may also reduce alcohol consumption by modulating central reward pathways. Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis following PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO CRD420251009075). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies were included if they assessed the effect of GLP-1 RAs on alcohol-related outcomes in adults with hazardous drinking or AUD. The search covered all databases from inception to June 1, 2025. The primary outcome was change in Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) scores (range 0-40), a validated screening tool assessing hazardous use, dependence, and alcohol-related harm. Alcohol use was defined as self-reported consumption (drinks or units per week, grams per day), with thresholds for risky drinking determined by study-specific definitions (e.g., ≥14 drinks/week for men, ≥7 for women). Secondary outcomes included relapses, abstinence, alcohol-related diagnoses, intoxication or hospitalization, biomarkers (e.g., phosphatidylethanol [PEth], γ-GT), and neuroimaging measures of craving, reward, and cue-reactivity. Findings: Fourteen studies (four RCTs, ten observational; n = 5,262,268) were included. GLP-1 RAs studied were Semaglutide, liraglutide, dulaglutide, exenatide, and tripeptide. Pooled analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in AUDIT scores (mean difference -7.81 points; 95% CI -9.02 to -6.60; I Interpretation: GLP-1 RAs, particularly Semaglutide and liraglutide, reduce alcohol use as measured by AUDIT scores and show beneficial effects on consumption, relapse, and alcohol-related morbidity. Mechanistic evidence supports modulation of craving and reward pathways. These findings suggest that GLP-1 RAs are promising candidates for repurposing in AUD management, especially for patients with comorbid diabetes or obesity. Large, dedicated RCTs are needed to confirm efficacy and define optimal therapeutic strategies. Funding: No funding was received for this study.
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