Tirzepatide for adults with alcohol use disorder and overweight or obesity
Phase II Evaluation of Tirzepatide in Adults with Alcohol Use Disorder and Overweight or Obesity
This will see if the weight-loss medication tirzepatide can help adults with alcohol use disorder who are overweight or obese cut back on drinking and improve health measures.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11192379 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, you would be an adult with alcohol use disorder and overweight/obesity who receives the study medication tirzepatide and regular follow-up visits. The research team will track alcohol consumption, body weight, and cardiometabolic health markers over the treatment period. The project builds on evidence that drugs acting on incretin hormones (like GLP-1) may reduce drinking while producing weight loss. This Phase II effort tests whether tirzepatide’s dual action can provide both drinking and weight benefits for people with these co-occurring conditions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults aged 21 or older with a diagnosis of alcohol use disorder who are overweight or obese and willing to try a prescription injectable medication and attend follow-up visits are the best fit.
Not a fit: People who do not have alcohol use disorder, who are not overweight, or who have medical contraindications to tirzepatide (for example pregnancy or other safety concerns) are unlikely to benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, tirzepatide could help people with alcohol use disorder who are overweight lose weight, reduce drinking, and lower cardiovascular risk.
How similar studies have performed: Some GLP-1 receptor agonists have shown promise in animal studies and early human observations for reducing alcohol intake, but using tirzepatide specifically for AUD is a newer clinical approach.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, UNITED STATES
- University of Southern California — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hendershot, Christian S — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Hendershot, Christian S
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.