No current GLP-1 label lists smoking as an approved use, so prescribing one for it would be off-label. Lengsfeld et al. (Dulaglutide): Everyone also took varenicline and had counseling. After 12 weeks, 63% on dulaglutide and 65% on placebo had stopped smoking: no difference. Dulaglutide did prevent weight gain after stopping (-1 kg against +1.9 kg). ClinicalTrials.gov lists 13 trials of these medicines on it: 4 with posted results and 5 recruiting now.
Read from the registry and PubMed every day. The newest update here is Sep 21, 2026.
Each read in the paper's abstract on Nov 6, 2026. Trials differ in who took part and how long they ran.
Dulaglutide · 255 people · No clear benefit · Placebo-controlled randomized trial
Everyone also took varenicline and had counseling. After 12 weeks, 63% on dulaglutide and 65% on placebo had stopped smoking: no difference. Dulaglutide did prevent weight gain after stopping (-1 kg against +1.9 kg).
Semaglutide · 24 people · Mixed · Placebo-controlled randomized trial
Its main measures, resisting smoking in the lab and cigarettes a day, did not change significantly. Craving fell.
A trial counts when the registry's conditions or title name this, and some study a related question, such as insulin sensitivity in people with the condition. A registered trial shows a question being asked, not that the answer is yes.
| Medicine | Trials | Posted results | Recruiting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semaglutide | 7 | 2 | 4 |
| Exenatide | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Dulaglutide | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Liraglutide | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Tirzepatide | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Latest phases and largest trials first. Each result is the first primary outcome as its sponsor posted it to the registry, which is not peer review.
| Trial | Medicine | Phase | People | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCT02975297Exenatide Once Weekly for Smoking Cessation | Exenatide | Phase 1/2 | 84 | Number of Participants Who Self-Reported Abstinence and Who Were Biochemically Verified as Abstinent Via Expired CO Level of ≤ 5ppm (Participants), 6 weeks. Exenatide Plus NRT Plus Counseling: 19; Placebo Plus NRT Plus Counseling: 11. |
| NCT05520775Semaglutide for Alcohol Use Disorder | Semaglutide | Phase 2 | 48 | Change in Alcohol Consumed (grams), Baseline (Week 0) to post-medication (Week 8). Semaglutide: -32.72; Sham/Placebo: -6.95. |
| DALDaily Liraglutide for Nicotine Dependence | Liraglutide | Phase 2 | 40 | Number of Participants With 7-day Point Prevalence Smoking Abstinence at 12 Weeks Post-Target Quit Date (Participants), Week 18. Smoking Cessation Counseling & Liraglutide: 2; Smoking Cessation Counseling & Placebo: 2. |
| NCT05530577Effects of Semaglutide on Nicotine Intake | Semaglutide | Phase 2 | 24 | Change in Nicotine Self-Administration (Number of cigarettes), Baseline (Week 0) to post-medication (Week 8). Semaglutide: -0.8; Sham/Placebo: -0.5. |
The registry page names each site and who can enroll. Ask your clinician before joining one.
| Trial | Medicine | Phase | Expected to finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semaglutide for Smoking Cessation in Patients With Diabetes | Semaglutide | Phase 3 | Jul 2027 |
| Impact of Semaglutide on Tobacco Use and Related Health Behaviors | Semaglutide | Phase 4 | Jun 30, 2028 |
| Multi-Site Trial of Tirzepatide for Smoking Cessation | Tirzepatide | Phase 2 | Sep 2028 |
| GLP-1 Receptor Agonists to Decrease Ethanol and CVD Risk in HIV | Semaglutide | Phase 2 | Jan 31, 2030 |
| Semaglutide for Post-Smoking Cessation Weight Management | Semaglutide | Phase 2 | Jun 25, 2028 |
Meta-analysis · Tob Induc Dis · Jul 26, 2026 · Heshmati J et al.
Systematic review · Endocrine · Feb 16, 2026 · Bhaduri G et al. · cited by 2
Randomized trial · Eur J Prev Cardiol · Oct 1, 2025 · Beck J et al. · cited by 2
Randomized trial · Nicotine Tob Res · Jun 1, 2025 · Yammine L et al. · cited by 9
Listed from Europe PMC as published, newest first. A listing here is not a judgement of a study's quality or a recommendation.
Lengsfeld et al. (Dulaglutide, 255 people): Everyone also took varenicline and had counseling. After 12 weeks, 63% on dulaglutide and 65% on placebo had stopped smoking: no difference. Dulaglutide did prevent weight gain after stopping (-1 kg against +1.9 kg).
Not in any current label we read. A prescriber can still use a medicine off-label, but insurance often limits coverage to approved uses, so ask your plan.
Semaglutide, with 7 registered trials on it, then Exenatide with 3. More trials do not mean better results: read what each posted.
5 trials are recruiting on ClinicalTrials.gov now, listed below with their registry pages, which name each site and who can enroll.