A 52-year-old man has knocked his decade-long cocaine addiction on the head after receiving weight-loss injections.
The jab was made from semaglutide, found in Ozempic and Wegovy.
The unnamed patient, who had battled an addiction to the class A drug for 15 years also struggled with obesity, having a body mass index (BMI) of 35.4.
Over 12 weeks, he was given weekly doses of semaglutide, which helped him shed 13kg – and in the process, reduced his cocaine cravings.
Published in the Journal of Medical Case Reports, the report revealed his score on a cocaine craving quiz dropped from 5.6 to 2.3, revealing a 60 per cent reduction in cravings.
“This case is interesting because it highlights a direction for the treatment of comorbid obesity and cocaine use disorder,” wrote Professor Vincenzo Maria Romeo, who led the study.
Semaglutide, sold under the brand names Wegovy for weight loss and Ozempic for diabetes works by targeting the brain’s hunger and reward centres.
This new case report backs up newer research, which found the ‘wonder’ injectables can work in the same way to treat addiction.
Experts believe it targets the same areas of craving in the brain that cause people to overeat so could be useful in fighting a number of addictions.
A study, published just last week, found the jabs can dramatically reduce a person’s desire for booze – and smokers taking part puffed less.
Meanwhile, previous studies have suggested they lower the risk of heart attack or stroke in overweight adults, as well as help to treat snoring, reverse heart failure symptoms, boost fertility and ward off Alzheimer’s.
It has even been called the “fountain of youth” because it slows down the markers for ageing.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Inside UK’s first drug consumption room with relaxation lounge days before opening” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6366869740112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]This is the first case to demonstrate how semaglutide could address both addiction and obesity simultaneously.
The report describes how the patient had tried other treatments without success.
He sought help for both weight and drug issues, as Professor Vincenzo said: “The intersection of these conditions presents a unique therapeutic challenge, as each condition can exacerbate the other.
“The patient struggled with shame and relapse. Despite this, he had not pursued long-term addiction treatment owing to skepticism and fear of withdrawal.
“He also suffered from depression and anxiety, partially managed with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), but his symptoms worsened during periods of increased drug use or attempted abstinence.
“His motivation for treatment was driven by the desire to improve his physical health, reduce stigma, and address the psychological toll of cocaine use.”
After 12 weeks, Professor Vincenzo said the man is now living a healthier lifestyle, having shifted his focus from cocaine to things like exercise.
While it was not clarified if the man had stopped using cocaine, Professor Vincenzo said he had “improved physical health, including increased energy and reduced joint pain”, and he “expressed satisfaction with his progress, which enhanced his self-esteem and motivation”.
Professor Vincenzo added: “Semaglutide could be a promising therapeutic option for managing cocaine use disorder in patients with obesity.”
However, the report notes that further research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects of semaglutide in addiction treatment.
[boxout headline=”Everything you need to know about fat jabs” featured-image=”33442045″ intro=”Weight loss jabs are a hot media topic at the moment, with hundreds of success stories from people who shed the pounds.”]In March 2023, the NHS announced it would make Wegovy, a drug made by Danish firm Novo Nordisk, available on prescription to thousands of obese Brits.
It contains the drug semaglutide, which is said to have helped reality star Kim Kardashian and Twitter boss Elon Musk lose weight.
Wegovy, which helped a third of people reduce their weight by 20 per cent in trials, is now available from pharmacies like Boots.
How do they work?
The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less and therefore lose weight.
To do this, semaglutide mimics the role of a natural hormone, called GLP-1.
GLP-1 is part of the signalling pathway that tells your body you have eaten, and prepares it to use the energy that comes from your food.
London GP and founder of wellgoodwellbeing.com, Dr Zoe Watson, said: “Your body naturally produces an appetite regulating hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1.
“These jabs work by regulating your appetite, which can lead to eating fewer calories and losing weight.”
Aren’t they diabetes drugs?
Semaglutide, the active drug in Wegovy, was originally sold under the name Ozempic specifically for diabetes patients.
But people started noticing it helped suppress their appetites, stopping them eating as much and helping them shed the pounds.
Novo Nordisk then developed Wegovy, which contains the same chemical but at higher doses specifically to aid weight loss.
Wegovy is not prescribed for diabetes patients.
Can I get them?
Wegovy is offered on prescription to obese adults given specialist weight loss treatment.
The NHS currently also offers a similar drug called Saxenda, or liraglutide.
Both are only available throught specialist weight management services, which means you have to be referred to clinics led by experts.
GPs can’t prescribe them on their own, Dr Watson said.
The jabs have to be taken as part of an overall programme to help with lifestyle changes and psychological support to get the best effect from the medication prescribed.
Are there any risks?
Like all medicines, the jabs do not come without side effects.
Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at patient.info, said: “One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.”
Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia.
What other options are there?
Mounjaro (brand name for tirzepatide) also came onto the market in early 2024.
Like Wegovy, tirzepatide stems from a drug originally designed to treat diabetes.
The weekly injection helped overweight people drop more than two stone in 18 months.
It is available with to order with a prescription online from pharmacies including Superdrug and LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor.
It works in a similar way to Wegovy and Saxenda, but is more effective.
Dr Mitra Dutt from LloydsPharmacy says: “Based on clinical trials, 96 per cent of people were able to lose more than five per cent of their body fat using Mounjaro. In similar trials, 84 per cent of people lost more than five per cent of their body weight on Wegovy, and 60 per cent on Saxenda.
“Mounjaro works by activating two hormonal receptors (GIP and GLP-1), which enhance insulin production, improve insulin sensitivity, and work to decrease food intake.”