Could This Be the 'Ozempic of Alcohol'? Existing Medication Shows Promise
A readily available and inexpensive pill is being touted as the "Ozempic of alcohol" because of its potential to decrease cravings for alcohol, similar to how GLP-1 medications reduce food cravings.
Naltrexone, costing approximately $1.60 per pill when purchased in bulk, functions by obstructing opioid receptors in the brain, thereby lessening the dopamine-reward effect individuals experience from drinking, which in turn reduces the urge for alcohol.
In essence, alcohol ceases to provide the same level of satisfaction, which aids in reducing the desire for it.
Since 1994, the US Food and Drug Administration has given its approval to Naltrexone for the treatment of alcohol use disorder, and since 1984 for opiate dependence.
Nearly 28 million individuals in the United States grapple with alcohol use disorder.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 17% of adult Americans engage in binge drinking, a pattern more prevalent among men. Heavy drinking can take a toll on finances, health and lead to tragic outcomes. Health tracking apps like Shotlee can help monitor alcohol consumption and related health data.
Research indicates that among users who took naltrexone, a prescription medication, an hour prior to drinking, 80% experienced a significant reduction or complete elimination of their alcohol consumption.
Besides the pill form, Oar Health markets naltrexone as a mint under the name Clutch. For individuals who struggle with adherence, the drug is also available as a once-a-month injection.
Nausea and headaches have been reported as side effects of naltrexone, but specialists note that the nausea tends to diminish as patients become accustomed to the treatment.
This characteristic differentiates naltrexone from acamprosate, another approved medication for alcohol use disorder, which necessitates monitoring by a healthcare professional due to potential side effects like suicidal thoughts and depression.
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Furthermore, unlike disulfiram, another drug approved for treating alcohol use disorder that induces unpleasant and potentially life-threatening side effects when combined with alcohol, naltrexone does not mandate strict abstinence from alcohol.
For many individuals, naltrexone has proven to be a transformative solution.
Military veteran and podcast host Jesse Carrajat stated, "The first time I took naltrexone, I remember not just wanting to impulsively turn to alcohol. It was gone... For the first time in my life, when things got hard, I wasn't turning to alcohol."
His personal experience is echoed in the comments shared on his TikTok account.
One user commented, "I had tried so many times to detox on my own, and it did not work. Naltrexone saved me."
Another user stated, "Worked instantly for me 4 months alcohol free."
Meanwhile, a Reddit user who had struggled with alcohol since his teenage years and gradually saw his dependence affect his quality of life said that his first dose of naltrexone resulted in an immediate reframe of his drinking habits.
He explained, "The first time I took it, I still drank, arguably quite a lot, but I didn't spiral. I didn't lose control... I left the party at a decent time, 1 AM, because I was tired. I woke up the next morning feeling surprisingly fresh... That alone felt like a miracle."
The subsequent year, the man exclusively used naltrexone before significant occasions and high-risk situations, but by 2025, he committed to taking the pill each time he consumed alcohol.
He declared, "Now? I barely think about drinking... The Friday craving is gone... I can have a beer at a bar with friends and stop after one or two. And if I don't drink, I don't feel deprived, I just feel normal."