Recent real-world data published in the Annals of Internal Medicine on July 30, 2024, reveals that GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic (semaglutide) may help people quit smoking. The study analyzed around 223,000 individuals using diabetes medications, including nearly 6,000 taking semaglutide. Other medications studied included insulins, metformin, DPP-4 inhibitors, SGLT-2 inhibitors, sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones, and other GLP-1 receptor agonists.
Key Findings: Semaglutide and Smoking Cessation
- Semaglutide’s Impact: Semaglutide was associated with a significant 32% reduction in smoking rates.
- Comparison with Other GLP-1 Agonists: Semaglutide showed a 12% greater reduction in smoking compared to other GLP-1 receptor agonists.
- Timing of Cessation: Most smoking cessation occurred within the first 30 days of starting semaglutide, suggesting the medication plays a crucial role in this effect.
Why Does Semaglutide Help with Smoking Cessation?
Preclinical studies from 2017 on mice showed that GLP-1 receptor agonists, including semaglutide, reduced nicotine cravings, lessened withdrawal symptoms, and helped prevent weight gain often seen after quitting smoking. Mice genetically modified to lack GLP-1 receptors did not experience reduced nicotine cravings after semaglutide treatment, highlighting the importance of GLP-1 receptors in nicotine addiction.
What’s Next? The Need for More Research
While these findings are promising, they are not definitive proof that semaglutide is effective for smoking cessation. Ethical issues prevent clinical trials from deliberately inducing nicotine addiction in healthy individuals. A potential future study could involve participants with varying nicotine consumption levels, comparing standard care (nicotine patch and varenicline) with semaglutide alone or in combination with standard care. This approach could provide more robust data on semaglutide’s effectiveness in smoking cessation.
Is Ozempic a Good Option for Quitting Smoking?
Current evidence suggests that Ozempic (semaglutide) could be a helpful tool for those trying to quit smoking, especially for individuals already using it for diabetes management. However, more controlled clinical trials are needed to confirm its effectiveness. For now, physicians might consider prescribing Ozempic off-label for smoking cessation in patients who are also managing diabetes or trying to lose weight, though insurance coverage may be a challenge. For smoking cessation alone, standard treatments should remain the primary approach, with semaglutide considered as an add-on if budget permits.
