A new £2.7m clinical trial is set to investigate whether a weight-loss injection can assist patients with alcohol dependency and obesity. The NHS has identified these conditions as two of the primary causes of liver disease.
The four-year study will examine the effects of the weight-loss drug semaglutide, also known as Wegovy. Teams in Nottingham and Plymouth are leading the research and plan to begin recruiting around 270 NHS patients next month.
Participants must have a body mass index of at least 30, an alcohol use disorder, and evidence of liver scarring or cirrhosis. Half of the 268 recruits will receive weekly semaglutide injections, while the other half will be given a placebo over 36 weeks.
The trial's main objective is to determine if the drug can reduce alcohol intake, aid weight loss, and improve liver health and quality of life for patients. Alcohol misuse is a significant cause of preventable death and is estimated to cost the NHS £5bn annually.