The Potential Utility of GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Medications for Addiction Treatment: A Narrative Review of Clinical and Epidemiological Evidence.

Purpose of Review: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have emerged as a potential therapeutic class for substance use disorders (SUD). This narrative review focuses primarily on clinical and epidemiological studies to synthesize existing evidence on GLP-1RAs in the context of SUD. The overall objective is to clarify current understanding, summarize ongoing and forthcoming trials, and provide directions for future clinical research on the potential utility of GLP-1RAs in treating SUD. Recent Findings: Among addictive substances, alcohol has received the most attention in GLP-1RA research. Nicotine, opioids, and psychostimulants have also been investigated. Large-scale retrospective cohort studies provide evidence supporting improvements in substance use-related outcomes with GLP-1RA treatment. Evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of GLP-1RAs for SUD is beginning to accumulate, with some variability in findings, potentially due to heterogeneity in GLP-1RAs and study populations. Additional data from RCTs will be essential to determine the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of GLP-1RAs for treating SUD. Summary: Converging evidence suggests that GLP-1RAs hold promise for addiction treatment, highlighting the need for RCTs to establish whether GLP-1RAs can expand the range of treatment options for SUD.