The drug semaglutide—licensed for diabetes under Ozempic and weight loss under Wegovy—could help to reduce cocaine addiction.

Scientists from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden and the University of Pennsylvania have discovered it significantly reduces cocaine-seeking behavior in rats.

While more research is needed to confirm their findings in humans, their new study suggests semaglutide is a candidate to be developed as a treatment for cocaine dependency, according to the team.

Currently, there is no effective pharmacological treatment for cocaine dependency.

Semaglutide belongs to a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), which, having revolutionized treatment for obesity, are now showing promise for other conditions and health problems.

"While previous studies

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