Treating Alcohol Use Disorder in Primary Care with Semaglutide
Official title: Treating Alcohol Use Disorders in Primary Care with Semaglutide: Leveraging a Randomized Bayesian Adaptive Enrichment Design
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston · NIH-11491479 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant tests whether the diabetes drug semaglutide can help adults reduce or stop drinking when used in primary care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $842,191 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AA033667-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11491479 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with alcohol use disorder who are receiving care in primary care settings and are interested in reducing or stopping alcohol use.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals with AUD who do not want to change drinking behaviors or cannot tolerate semaglutide may not benefit.
What this research studies
The study will test different doses of semaglutide versus placebo in adults with alcohol use disorder who are seen in primary care. It uses a Bayesian adaptive design to adjust which doses are most effective as the study progresses over 16 weeks. The goal is to find a practical treatment option that fits into routine primary care and aligns with patients’ real-life goals about reducing drinking rather than quitting entirely.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could have a newer, easier-to-access option to reduce or stop alcohol use within regular medical care.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies suggest GLP-1 receptor agonists may help reduce alcohol consumption, but this approach in primary care with adaptive dosing is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Northrup, Thomas Francis — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Northrup, Thomas Francis
Related research
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Alcohol Use Disorder Care in Primary Care: Making Treatment Easier and More Effective
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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.