New Study Shows Disulfiram May Be Useful Weight Loss Drug
According to an article published in Medical News Today, a new study shows that a drug used to treat Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) may also be effective in the fight against obesity. Disulfiram, often prescribed to treat AUD, has shown to lead to “significant weight loss and improved metabolic health” when used on obese mice.
AUD and obesity are two of the biggest health concerns facing America (and the globe) today. As reported by Medical News Today, “(r)ates of obesity have almost tripled since 1975, with at least 650 million adults worldwide now living with this condition.” A new study makes researchers hopeful that disulfiram may be repurposed to help combat this problem.
As noted in the article, disulfiram is FDA-approved and commonly prescribed by doctors to treat chronic alcohol use disorder. The drug works by causing adverse reactions if alcohol is consumed.
The study showed that when the drug was given to mice who consumed a “high fat diet for 12 weeks” there was dramatic weight loss. The study also showed that with these mice had “metabolic outcomes improved, too.” In the study, the mice lost up to 40% of their weight.
Use of the drug to treat obesity needs more studies including clinical trials, but researchers are hopeful. Obesity has plagued the United States and the world causing numerous short- and long-term health problems.
Read the full article in Medical News Today: “Drug for alcohol use disorder could also treat obesity.”