Potential role of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists in substance use disorder: A systematic review of randomized trials

Increasing evidence suggests that GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) have a potential use in addiction treatment. Few studies have assessed the impact of GLP-1RA on substance use disorder (SUD), particularly in humans. The study aimed to do systematic review of clinical trials to assess GLP-1RA's effect on reducing SUD in patients. The scientific literature was reviewed using the MEDLINE, Scopus and Cochrane Library databases, following PRISMA guidelines. Studies including patients with a diagnosis of SU who were treated with GLP-1RA were selected. The primary outcome was GLP-1RA's therapeutic effect on SUD, and the secondary outcomes were therapeutic effects of GLP-1RA on weight, BMI and HbA1c. 1218 studies were retrieved, resulting in 507 papers after title and abstract screening. Following full-text review, only 5 articles met inclusion criteria. We incorporated a total of 630 participants utilizing Exenatide (n=3) and Dulaglutide (n=2) as GLP-1RAs. Therapeutic effect of GLP-1RA on SUD was assessed in 5 studies, with 3 demonstrating a significant decrease in SUD (alcohol and nicotine). GLP-1RA's impact on body weight, BMI, and HbA1c, was reported in 3 studies. These revealed a notable reduction in these parameters among the GLP-1RA treated group. This review will give an overview of current new findings in human studies; we suggest that the effects of GLP-1RA in SUD is a possible new option of therapy in addiction medicine. •GLP-1 receptor agonists were developed to treat diabetes mellitus and obesity.•Randomized trials have shown an effect of GLP-1 receptor agonists in substance use.•GLP-1 receptor agonists have a potential use in addiction treatment.