Ozempic and other GLP-1s became buzzworthy in late 2022 for their ability to help people lose weight. While Ozempic is technically for people with Type 2 diabetes, other medications, like Wegovy and Zepbound, have been shown to help people lose significant weight in clinical trials, separating them from some of the flash-in-a-pan wellness trends found on social media. Prescribed off-label, Ozempic is helpful in weight loss efforts, too.
In addition to quieting food noise , emerging research on alcohol and Ozempic (and other GLP1-1s) suggests another lesser-discussed potential benefit. Diabetes and anti-obesity drugs may reduce cravings for alcohol. However, the research is in its infancy, and people may have different experiences. What if you would like to do some drinking on Ozempic? Digging into the answers with your healthcare team is essential.
"We want patients to get the most out of their life experiences, and we want to safely manage their medications," says Dr. Michael L. Glickman, MD , a triple board-certified family and obesity medicine physician who founded Revolution Medicine. "Alcohol is often a big part of socialization, celebration and culture."
OK, but can you drink on Ozempic? The answer is nuanced but important. As more people take medications like Ozempic and GLP-1s, Dr. Glickman says it's vital to find balance and understand the short and long-term risks and side effects to make the most informed decisions about your health. He and other doctors discussed the safety, effects and best practices for GLP-1s like Ozempic and alcohol.
Related: Thinking About Trying Ozempic? Here's What You Can Expect Week by Week
Can You Drink On Ozempic?
The label for Ozempic does not give guidance on consuming alcohol, so there's no official advisory against it. However, the effects of alcohol on Ozempic haven't been widely studied. That might change soon: In September, Novo Nordisk , the manufacturer of Ozempic and Wegovy, announced plans to conduct a 39-week study to assess the potential effects of "semaglutide on liver damage and alcohol use in participants with alcoholic liver disease."
What doctors say
While we wait to learn more about alcohol and Ozempic, doctors recommend proceeding with caution. "Though drinking alcohol while taking Ozempic is not contraindicated (not strongly advised against by the manufacturer), there are reasons it is best to avoid alcohol," Dr. Mir Ali, MD , a board-certified bariatric surgeon and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center, says.
Dr. Ali says the drawbacks of drinking alcohol on Ozempic include:
- Excess calorie intake
- Potential for liver damage
- Worsening GI symptoms like nausea people taking GLP-1s may experience, especially at first
Dr. Christopher McGowan, MD , an obesity medicine specialist at True You Weight Loss, says the decision to drink on Ozempic is personal but recommends taking time to think about it.
"Technically, you may be able to consume alcohol while taking a GLP-1 medication, but consider your overall goals," Dr. McGowan says. "If you are trying to lose weight, alcohol isn’t going to help. The concept that a particular type of alcohol, like red wine, can benefit health is simply outdated and false. There are absolutely no health benefits of drinking alcohol."
Related: The Unexpected Health Benefit of Weight Loss Drugs Like Ozempic That No One's Talking About
Ozempic and Alcohol: What Happens To The Body When You Use Both
1. Your blood sugar decreases
Ozempic aims to lower blood sugar to a healthy, stable range. However, adding alcohol to the mix can interrupt this process and trigger the spikes and crashes in blood sugar you're hoping to avoid. Research from 2020 also suggests it can put you at risk for hypoglycemia, which is dangerously low blood sugar.
"Both GLP1 medications and alcohol can lower blood sugar," Dr. Glickman says. "Fatigue, vision change, diminished concentration, headaches and drowsiness are features of low blood sugar—many of these overlap with intoxication."
Even if you don't experience hypoglycemia, you may have serious regrets the next day. "Your hangover may be a doozy," Dr. Glickman says.
2. You may harm your liver
The liver helps regulate blood sugar, but alcohol throws it for a loop. Additionally, people taking Ozempic are more likely to be considered overweight, obese and therefore at a higher risk for liver disease, Dr. Ali says. Alcohol can also increase the odds of liver dysfunction. Together?
"The combination of the two can accelerate liver dysfunction," Dr. Ali says.
It's unfortunate because 2022 research suggests that using semaglutide can reduce liver disease risk, so combining alcohol and Ozempic can lower your body's ability to reap this benefit.
3. It can make GI issues worse
Dr. McGowan notes that most people experience nausea when starting a GLP-1 medication. Alcohol is not the Rx.
"Alcohol is likely to worsen the digestive side effects of the GLP-1 medications," Dr. McGowan says. "This is especially true during the early part of treatment, as your body adjusts to the new medication."
4. It can cause weight loss and maintenance difficulties
Dr. Ali notes that alcohol adds unnecessary calories.
"We advise patients to adhere to a primarily protein and vegetable diet, and alcohol is primarily carbohydrates, which will slow or even prevent weight loss," Dr. Ali says.
It doesn't help that alcohol can also affect your mind.
"Alcohol impedes self-control, which can lead to poor food choices," Dr. McGowan says. "Not only can this sabotage a weight loss journey, but it could also lead to overeating or consuming foods that aren’t easily digested, which can make you sick."
5. Sleep disruptions
GLP-1s can be tools for helping people lose weight, but the best results are achieved when combined with other healthy lifestyle changes beyond diet and exercise. Sleep is also important, and alcohol can interfere with it.
"Alcohol disrupts sleep quality and quantity, which places stress on the body," Dr. McGowan says. "If you are taking a GLP-1 medication to lose weight, this will present a roadblock to progress."
Research also shows that alcohol increases the likelihood of sleep problems , and not getting enough Zzzs can make weight loss and maintenance harder .
Safety Tips for Drinking On Ozempic
1. Avoid alcohol when you start taking the drugs
Give your body some grace to get used to Ozempic or other GLP-1s.
"During the early weeks and months of treatment, patients will likely experience the worst digestive side effects and the greatest slowing of gastric emptying," Dr. McGowan says. "Alcohol could worsen all of these symptoms."
2. Eat before and while drinking
Reach for nourishing foods before and while you consume alcohol.
"Make sure to eat a well-balanced meal before drinking, even if Ozempic takes away some of your hunger cues," Dr. Glickman says. Dr. Ali says consuming food while drinking can also negate some of alcohol's effects.
3. Pace yourself and add water to the mix
Dr. Glickman recommends drinking slowly and having a full glass of water between alcoholic beverages. Dr. McGowan adds that it'll also keep you hydrated while consuming alcohol, which is a diuretic.
4. Go zero-proof
Dr. Ali suggests considering non-alcoholic alternatives, which is easier than ever these days. More restaurants even have mocktail menus (just be warned that some mixers, like juice and soda, are high in sugar). The pivot could have long-lasting effects.
"You are likely trying to lose weight and improve your overall health," Dr. McGowan says. "Losing weight can be incredibly motivating. Harness that motivation to improve your overall health. Quit drinking, improve your nutrition and you’ll feel like a new person. I’ve rarely encountered anyone who missed alcohol after they stopped drinking."
5. Talk to your doctor
Last but certainly not least, communicate your habits with your doctor. "We are your allies in having the life experiences you want and want to provide you the best information we have on reducing risk," Dr. Glickman says.
Up Next:
Related: Wait—Do I Need to Put Ozempic in the Fridge?
Sources
- The glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue semaglutide reduces alcohol drinking and modulates central GABA neurotransmission. JCI Insight .
- Dr. Michael L. Glickman, MD , a triple board-certified family and obesity medicine physician who founded Revolution Medicine
- Ozempic prescribing information. FDA .
- Effects of NNC0194-0499, Cagrilintide, and Semaglutide Alone or in Combinations on Liver Damage and Alcohol Use in People With Alcohol-related Liver Disease. National Library of Medicine.
- Dr. Mir Ali, MD , a board-certified bariatric surgeon and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center
- Combination of alcohol and glucose consumption as a risk to induce reactive hypoglycemia. Journal of Diabetes Investigation .
- Once-Weekly Subcutaneous Semaglutide Improves Fatty Liver Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A 52-Week Prospective Real-Life Study. Nutrients .
- The association between alcohol consumption and sleep disorders among older people in the general population. Nature .
- Sleep Deprivation: Effects on Weight Loss and Weight Loss Maintenance . Nutrients .
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