GLP-1 Receptor Agonist and GIP/GLP-1 Receptor Dual Agonist Therapeutics at the Intersection of Alcohol Use Disorder, Obesity, and Cardiometabolic Dysfunction.
The co-occurrence of metabolic dysfunction and heavy alcohol consumption contributes substantially to global morbidity, particularly through its impact on liver disease progression. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP1R) agonists and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor (GIPR)/GLP1R dual agonists, currently approved for the treatment of diabetes and obesity and under investigation for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, are considered for repurposing to reduce alcohol consumption and stabilize metabolic health in heavy-drinking populations. This review summarizes existing evidence, highlights ongoing research, and outlines key unanswered questions regarding this therapeutic potential and the paradigm shift toward metabolic circuit-based interventions in addiction treatment. The dual-target GIPR/GLP1R approach could fill a critical gap for individuals struggling with both heavy alcohol consumption and metabolic dysfunction.