Until law, GLP-1 drugs were used to treat diabetes, obesity and even the recent evidences suggest that it could as well be used to treat chronic kidney problems. There is yet another research, published in JAMA Psychiatry on February 25, titled Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults With Alcohol Use Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial that explores if GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide reduce alcohol consumption and cravings in adults with alcohol use disorder.

What Do Studies Say?

The research was conducted over a period of 9 weeks, where in the randomized clinical trial, the participants who were administered semaglutide, it led to reductions in some but not all measures of weekly consumptions. It also reduced weekly alcohol and craving related to placebo, and also led to a greater relative reduction in cigarettes per day.

The research also found that weekly injections of semaglutide, which is the active ingredient in weight loss drugs like Wegovy also helped reduce cravings in people with alcohol use disorder.

The lead author Christian Hendershot said that these findings will help in developing new approaches to treat alcoholism. "Two drugs currently approved to reduce alcohol consumption aren't widely used. The popularity of Ozempic and other GLP-1 receptor agonists increases the chances of broad adoption of these treatments for alcohol use disorder," said Hendershot in news release by the University of Southern California's Institute for Addiction Research, where he is the director.

The study is government-funded research and was funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, part of the National Institutes of Health.

How Was The Study Conducted?

The study was small, and took in account for only 48 adults over two months, thus experts say that it is not yet clear how safe these drugs are for people who do not need to lose weight. Though the results do add up with the evidence form animal studies on drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy on how it helps manage cravings, not just for food, but also for tobacco and alcohol. Scientists are also studying these drugs on smokers, people with opioid addiction and cocaine users.

Co-author Dr Klara Klein of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who treats people with obesity and diabetes said, "This is such promising data. And we need more of it. We frequently will hear that once people start these medications that their desire to drink is very reduced, if not completely abolished."

Why Does It Work So Well Against Alcoholism?

The GLP-1 receptor agonists work by mimicking hormones GLP-1 in the gut and brain that regulates appetite and feelings of fullness. This response is what helps one lose weight, and what helps one curb their craving for alcohol. These drugs that mimic the functioning of your brain, which is responsible to tell your body when to stop consuming, are the same hormones that tell your body about other kinds of consumptions, including alcohol. Therefore by consuming the weight loss drugs one can treat alcohol use disorder.

However, the researchers have pointed out on the limited data on the research and have suggested to continue using the three approved drugs by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, namely, Disulfiram, Naltrexone, and Acamprosate to treat alcohol use disorder until large studies confirm these findings.

Scottish swimmer Archie Goodburn has made an emotional appeal for greater investment in brain cancer research in the UK, urging the government to "give us a chance to fight for our lives." His plea prompted a response from UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who invited the 25-year-old to a personal meeting.

Goodburn, who was diagnosed with inoperable brain tumors two years ago, broke down in tears during an interview on BBC Breakfast as he highlighted the struggles faced by people living with brain cancer and their families.

"Give Us a Chance to Fight"

"Andy Burnham, if you believe and want to make a change and a difference to the future of our country and our young population, please listen to us," Goodburn said, addressing the Prime Minister directly.

He urged the government to establish a national brain cancer lead, saying patients are enduring "unbelievable and unjust" experiences.

"There are clinical trials around the world, in the US, Australia and China, that could change lives. We are not seeing them in the UK, and it is unfair and unjust," he said.

Goodburn also appealed for greater investment in research.

"Please invest and make the difference. I'm on my knees begging—not just for my own life—but for those of my best friends, those affected, and families around the country. This has to change. The suffering is unbearable."

Prime Minister Invites Goodburn to Meet

Responding to the video on TikTok, Burnham thanked Goodburn for speaking out despite his own illness, and invited him to meet.

"Archie, thank you for this. I know how hard it must have been.

"What you're doing for other people while you're going through all this yourself shows the best of us. I'd really like to meet you and hear from you directly, and I've asked my team to get in touch."

Calls for Stronger Brain Cancer Research

Since being diagnosed just over two years ago, Goodburn has become a vocal advocate for improving brain cancer research and treatment.

"One of my dreams is that we see a future where brain cancer isn't the biggest killer of patients under 40," Goodburn said during the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where he competed and achieved his goal of reaching the 50m breaststroke final, but narrowly missed out on a medal.

Goodburn also criticized the Rare Cancers Bill, introduced by Scott Arthur MP and enacted earlier this year, saying it does not go far enough to improve outcomes for brain cancer patients.

The legislation covers 14 rare cancers and aims to encourage research and investment into treatments. However, Goodburn argued that brain cancer, while classified as rare by diagnosis numbers, is disproportionately deadly.

"Brain cancer is one of these in terms of incidents of diagnosis, but it's not the same in terms of the number of deaths it causes. Yes, it's rare, but it's extremely deadly. This frustrates me immensely."

He further noted that the new clinical lead and research lead positions created under the law are part-time roles covering all 14 rare cancers, amounting to just 36 working days per year.

"I do not see how 36 days a year is going to make that change for 14 different types of cancers, let alone the most deadly type of cancer."

Brain Tumours in Young Adults

Speaking to HealthandMe, Dr. Rakesh Patil, Consultant Medical Oncologist at AIMS Hospital, explained that brain tumours develop when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably within the brain or surrounding tissues. These tumours may be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

While brain tumours are not among the most common cancers in young adults, they do occur. The exact cause remains unknown in most cases, though certain factors may increase risk, including:

• Genetic conditions
• Family history of brain tumours
• Previous exposure to radiation therapy
• Rare inherited disorders

Dr. Patil noted that many patients have no identifiable risk factors, making early diagnosis and timely treatment critical for improving outcomes.

A UK coroner's court is currently examining whether a popular weight loss medication is linked to the death of a 73-year-old woman. She developed severe abdominal pain shortly after increasing her dose of Mounjaro (tirzepatide).

The incident has highlighted the importance of recognizing warning signs that go beyond the drug's common side effects and seeking immediate medical help.

What Happened?

Caroline Savage, a resident of Wortwell in Norfolk, had been using Mounjaro through a private prescription for around four months to manage obesity.

According to evidence presented during the inquest, she had recently been advised to increase her dose from 7.5 mg to 10 mg after losing about 14 kg.

On October 18, 2024, Savage developed sudden, severe abdominal pain and was taken to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

Doctors evaluated her for pancreatitis, a known but uncommon complication of GLP-1 weight loss medications, and ruled out an abdominal aortic aneurysm before discharging her with pain relief.

Hours later, she collapsed at home and died despite emergency efforts. A post-mortem found the cause of death to be faecal peritonitis, a life-threatening infection caused by a perforation in the intestine.

Also read: After ‘Ozempic Face’, Experts Warn of ‘Ozempic Hair’; Why Are GLP-1 Users Facing Hair Loss?

No Proof Of Direct Cause

Medical experts told the inquest that there is currently no established evidence linking Mounjaro directly to faecal peritonitis.

However, they discussed the possibility that in people with an underlying bowel condition, like diverticular disease, the medication's gastrointestinal effects could theoretically increase pressure within the intestine and contribute to a perforation.

Savage, although, had not been diagnosed with diverticular disease.

The coroner has not reached a final conclusion, and the inquest has been adjourned pending a narrative verdict later this month.

Also read: Using Compounded GLP-1 Drugs? Here's What Doctors Want You to Know

Family's Concerns Over Hospital Assessment

Representing the family, barrister Jasmine Leng argued that Savage's symptoms may have been attributed to expected side effects of Mounjaro rather than prompting further investigations.

She also questioned whether repeated pain assessments conducted after morphine administration may have underestimated the severity of her condition.

Lawyers representing the NHS trust acknowledged that documentation "wasn't as good as it could have been" but maintained that clinicians followed appropriate assessment methods and denied medical negligence.

Also read: Novo Nordisk Sues Eli Lilly Over Weight-Loss Drug Ads: Should GLP-1 Users Be Concerned?

Mounjaro Side Effects

Mounjaro belongs to the GLP-1 receptor agonist class of medicines, which slows stomach emptying and helps reduce appetite. As a result, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea and abdominal discomfort are among some of its most common side effects.

However, experts say persistent, severe or worsening abdominal pain, especially when accompanied with vomiting, fever, bloating or an inability to pass stools, should never be dismissed as common side effects.

Such symptoms can indicate serious complications, including pancreatitis, bowel obstruction or, in rare cases, intestinal perforation, all of which require urgent medical attention.

The case comes after another UK death drew focus on the safety of GLP-1 weight loss drugs.

In 2024, Scottish nurse Susan McGowan's death certificate showed prescribed tirzepatide as a contributing factor alongside pancreatitis, septic shock and multiple organ failure.

Regulators have maintained that the overall benefits of these medicines outweigh their risks when used as prescribed.

Chipotle has gotten rid of jalapeño peppers from some of its restaurants after health officials identified them as a possible source of a Salmonella outbreak that has sickened at least 110 people, mostly in Minnesota.

The investigation is ongoing, and authorities say the contaminated ingredient may also have reached other Mexican-style restaurants.

About The Salmonella Outbreak

The Salmonella outbreak is being investigated by the Minnesota Department of Health, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

At least 75 of the 84 people interviewed reported that they ate at Chipotle between June 14 and July 14. This has prompted health officials to look into all the ingredients served in those meals.

In response, Chipotle said it used its ingredient traceability system to identify a common lot of jalapeños that may be linked to the illnesses. It also said that it has replaced those peppers with stocks from different vendors.

"We immediately activated our traceability systems, identified the common lot of jalapeños and removed them from our restaurants," the company said, adding that it is cooperating with public health authorities in order to contain the outbreak.

Carlota Medus, senior epidemiologist supervisor at the Minnesota Department of Health, said investigators believe the contaminated peppers may have been supplied to more than one restaurant chain.

"It's not just Chipotle," Medus said, noting that other Mexican-style restaurants could also have received the same batch of peppers. She added that additional cases are expected because it can take weeks for infections to be diagnosed and reported.

Also read: US FDA Identifies New Cyclospora Outbreak As Michigan Cases Top 7,000: Why Is The Source So Hard To Trace?

What Is Salmonella?

Most healthy people recover within a week, but young children, older adults and those with weak immune systems face a higher risk of severe illness who often end up requiring hospitalization.

Also read: FDA Launches An Online Tool That Can Check Contaminant Levels In Foods

Not The First Time Jalapeños Have Come Under Scrutiny

Fresh produce like peppers can get contaminated anywhere along the supply chain, including during growing, harvesting, processing or distribution.

As jalapeños are eaten raw in foods like salsa, burrito bowls and tacos, any contamination may survive and end up infecting people.

This is not the first time jalapeño peppers have been linked to a major Salmonella outbreak.

In 2008, U.S. investigators traced an outbreak in multiple states that involved more than 1,400 illnesses linked primarily to contaminated jalapeño and serrano peppers imported from Mexico.

Also read: Is Unpasteurized Apple Cider Making You Sick? Here's What You Should Know

Chipotle's Previous Health Controversies

The latest investigation comes more than a decade after Chipotle faced a series of high-profile food safety incidents involving E. coli, norovirus and Salmonella between 2015 and 2018.

Those outbreaks prompted the restaurant chain to overhaul its food safety protocols, strengthen ingredient traceability and establish stricter food handling practices.

Officials stress that the current investigation is still underway, and no final determination has been made linking the outbreak exclusively to jalapeños.

The FDA is currently conducting an investigation to determine where the suspected peppers originated and whether they were distributed to other restaurants or states.