A study conducted by researchers from Case Western Reserve School of Medicine found that Ozempic, a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes, may assist people in quitting smoking and reduce the need for additional anti-smoking aids. The study was inspired by reports from previous Ozempic users who noted a decreased desire to smoke while taking the medication. This sparked interest in exploring Ozempic’s potential benefits for treating tobacco use disorders.
Novo Nordisk, the pharmaceutical company behind Ozempic, stated that their semaglutide-containing medications are not approved for the treatment of addiction-related conditions. They emphasized that their products are only promoted for FDA-approved indications and are prescribed to patients who meet specific criteria. The study compared Ozempic to seven other anti-diabetic medications and found that after 12 months, patients taking Ozempic were less likely to be diagnosed with tobacco use disorder, need anti-smoking prescriptions, or require anti-smoking counseling in comparison to those taking other diabetes medications.
The study utilized electronic health records (EHRs) to assess a cohort of patients who had no prior experience with diabetes medications. It conducted seven distinct trials comparing Ozempic to other diabetes treatments, such as insulin, metformin, and DPP-4 inhibitors, among others. While the results were promising, the study authors caution that further research is needed to definitively prove that Ozempic causes people to quit smoking. This study focused on patients with type 2 diabetes and tobacco use disorder and did not control for the severity of their smoking addiction.
Tobacco smoking is a leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality, contributing to various health problems such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Quitting smoking can significantly reduce health risks, but the majority of adult cigarette smokers struggle to quit each year. The study did not track individuals who successfully quit smoking without assistance, highlighting a potential gap in the findings. Despite the study’s limitations, the researchers noted that Ozempic’s weight loss benefits could be beneficial for individuals trying to quit smoking, as quitting smoking often leads to weight gain.
The study authors stress the importance of conducting further clinical trials to examine the link between Ozempic and smoking cessation thoroughly. They acknowledge the limitations of using EHR data, such as the lack of information on the severity of patients’ smoking addiction. Previous research from Case Western Reserve School of Medicine also found that Ozempic is associated with lower risks of developing and relapsing into cannabis use disorder, which is often linked to cigarette smoking. This highlights the potential benefits of Ozempic in treating addiction-related conditions.
In conclusion, the study suggests that Ozempic may help people quit smoking and reduce the need for additional anti-smoking aids. However, further research is needed to confirm these findings and establish a definitive link between Ozempic and smoking cessation. The study emphasizes the importance of addressing tobacco smoking, a leading cause of preventable health problems, and the potential benefits of using medications like Ozempic to assist in quitting smoking.
