Cessation or Reduction of Alcohol Consumption in Veterans: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Phase 3 Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of a GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Semaglutide in U.S. Veterans With Alcohol Use Disorder
NCT07218354 · Not yet recruiting
Last updated 2026-05-28This clinical trial is testing whether a medication called semaglutide can help U.S. veterans with alcohol use disorder reduce or stop their alcohol consumption.
What this study is testing ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07218354 ↗
Description as written by the study sponsor.
This clinical trial aims to test the effectiveness and safety of semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, in treating moderate to severe alcohol use disorder (AUD) in Veterans. Participants who qualify will be randomly assigned to receive either semaglutide injections or placebo injections over a 28-week period, followed by a 4-week post-treatment safety assessment period. Participants receiving semaglutide will start with a low dose, gradually increasing to a maximum of 2.4 mg per week, depending on their tolerance. The primary measure of success will be a reduction in risky drinking, assessed through a reliable calendar-based interview method called the Timeline Follow-Back (TLFB), a well-validated calendar-based interview technique for recording daily alcohol consumption. The purpose of this research is to gather information on the effectiveness of semaglutide for treating AUD, potentially offering a new and more appealing treatment option.
Treatments tested
- Semaglutide Drug
Weekly subcutaneous injections of semaglutide up to 2.4 mg/week or maximum tolerated dose. Initial dosing starting at 0.25 for weeks 1-4. Further titration up to 2.4 mg weekly starting at week 5.
- Placebo Drug
Weekly subcutaneous injections of placebo.
| Main thing measured | Two-level reduction in the World Health Organization (WHO) risk drinking level |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | VA Office of Research and Development |
| Conditions studied | Alcohol Use Disorder |
| GLP-1 drugs | semaglutide |
Full protocol, eligibility, and contacts on ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07218354 ↗