Researchers have found that weight-loss injections may assist individuals trying to quit smoking, particularly among smokers with type 2 diabetes. The study highlighted that those who received the treatment, marketed under the brand name Wegovy, exhibited a reduced need for medical care related to their smoking habit.
The findings suggest that further investigation into the potential of Wegovy in smoking cessation efforts is warranted. The study demonstrated that participants using semaglutide—the active ingredient in Wegovy—had a diminished likelihood of being diagnosed with tobacco addiction or requiring medication and counseling to quit smoking.
In the research, Wegovy was compared to seven other diabetes treatments, revealing that it was associated with a lower risk of needing medical assistance for tobacco use disorder (TUD).
The study indicated similar benefits in smokers without obesity, suggesting that the effects of semaglutide could extend beyond just weight management. “These findings underscore the need for clinical trials to assess semaglutide’s potential in treating tobacco use disorder,” the researchers stated in their publication in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Previous reports have also noted a decrease in smoking cravings among patients receiving semaglutide, generating interest in its potential as a therapeutic aid for smoking cessation. The research, conducted by teams from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the National Institutes of Health, and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, observed that the positive effects manifested primarily within the first 30 days of treatment initiation.
In the UK, semaglutide is prescribed not only as a weight-loss injection but also as a preventive measure against heart problems in individuals who are overweight or obese. The implications of these findings could pave the way for new strategies in smoking cessation programs, particularly for those struggling with obesity and diabetes.
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