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Prescription weight loss that puts you first
It’s normal to have lots of questions when you start a new prescription medication. Whether you can drink alcohol might be at the top of your list.
So, can you drink alcohol on Ozempic®? Technically, you can, but it might not always be safe. Alcohol could also make Ozempic less effective for weight loss and potentially worsen the side effects.
Read on for the potential side effects of drinking alcohol on Ozempic — and how you can drink alcohol safely if you decide to have a drink every now and again.
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The short answer is yes, you can drink alcohol on Ozempic. There are no official guidelines stating that patients should avoid alcohol while on the medication or any studies showing that the combination is dangerous.
However, before you pour that glass of wine, there are a few reasons you may want to drink in moderation or avoid alcohol altogether while taking Ozempic. We’ll dive into those below.
Pro tip: Embrace your inner lightweight. When you eat fewer calories, alcohol hits you harder. The same is true for weight loss. As you start dropping pounds, you’ll find that you get drunker than you used to from the same amount of alcohol.
FYI, the same goes for other GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist drugs, like Wegovy®, Mounjaro®, or compounded semaglutide. You technically can drink, but alcohol isn’t always the best idea when taking these medications.
There’s no drug interaction between alcohol and Ozempic, but that doesn’t mean they’re BFFs. In fact, the combo may give you some troubling side effects.
Here are the potential risks of drinking alcohol while taking Ozempic or other semaglutide drugs:
Worsened side effects
Reduced weight loss
Hypoglycemia
Pancreatitis
Keep scrolling for insight.
Ozempic side effects can be challenging, and alcohol can make them worse.
Common side effects of Ozempic include:
Constipation
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Abdominal pain
Alcohol can interfere with your digestive system, irritate your stomach lining and intestines, and increase how much gastric acid you produce. This can lead to abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Pro tip: Some types of alcohol might bother you more than others. If you’re experiencing heartburn, you might want to steer clear of wine. If you’re prone to bloating and abdominal discomfort, you might want to avoid carbonated drinks like beer and seltzers.
Can you drink alcohol on semaglutide for weight loss? Yes, but consuming alcohol can slow your weight loss.
Alcoholic drinks are often high in calories — especially beer, sugary cocktails, and soft drink mixers. You might also eat more or nosh on high-calorie foods when you drink or are hungover.
All this can contribute to weight gain or reduced or slowed weight loss, which isn’t exactly what you want when taking a weight loss medication.
Learn more about the effects of alcohol on weight loss.
There’s an increased risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels) when you drink alcohol on Ozempic.
If you have type 2 diabetes, Ozempic increases your risk of hypoglycemia on its own, especially if you’re taking it alongside diabetes medications like insulin or insulin secretagogues.
Drinking alcohol — particularly when you drink and don’t eat enough food — can also lower blood glucose levels.
The two combined? Not ideal.
What’s more, when you’ve had a lot to drink, you might not be able to notice the symptoms of hypoglycemia. Some of the symptoms are pretty similar to the effects of alcohol.
Symptoms of low blood sugar include:
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Headache
Feeling jittery or shaky
Tiredness
Hunger
Fast or irregular heartbeat
Having trouble seeing or speaking clearly
More serious symptoms include seizures and a loss of consciousness. Always follow your doctor’s advice on how to treat low blood sugar levels. Common treatments include fruit juice, glucose tablets, or other simple carbohydrates.
Although rare, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) has been reported in clinical trials on Ozempic. Alcohol increases your risk.
In fact, chronic alcohol consumption is the second most common cause of acute pancreatitis — gallstones is the first, if you’re wondering. And chronic alcohol intake is the leading cause of chronic pancreatitis.
FYI, key symptoms to look out for include vomiting and abdominal pain that may radiate into your upper back.
How can you drink on Ozempic without these risks? If you decide to have a drink on Ozempic, there are some steps you can take to minimize the potential risks and downsides.
You can:
Drink less than you used to. When taking Ozempic, it’s important to remember that you will get drunk quickly. You won’t need to drink as much as you used to to feel the effects of alcohol. So take it easy on the refills. Overall, guidelines suggest women stick to one alcoholic beverage or less per day.
Avoid drinking on an empty stomach. Eat some food when you drink to help keep your blood sugar levels in check. Go for healthy snacks like dried fruit or popcorn, or enjoy your drink with a meal.
Make healthy swaps. Try healthier options like spirits or wine over beer and sugar-laden cocktails. You can also sub in sparkling water or alcohol-free versions of your favorite drinks. This can help you cut down on how much you drink without feeling like you’re missing out. If weight loss is your goal, have nutritious meals and snacks on hand.
Check with your healthcare provider. Before you mix semaglutide and alcohol, get medical advice to make sure the combo is safe for you. It’s totally normal to wonder, Can I drink wine while taking Ozempic? It’s especially important to ask if you have a medical condition like pancreatitis or liver disease, or if you take any other medications that increase your odds of hypoglycemia.
Drinking on Ozempic may be allowed, but it’s not always the best idea. Having a drink every now and again should be fine, but heavy drinking or drinking often may cause some problems.
Still wondering, Can I drink while on Ozempic? Here’s what to keep in mind:
Ozempic and alcohol aren’t a great mix. Alcohol can increase semaglutide’s side effects, cause weight gain, and increase your odds of pancreatitis and hypoglycemia. So, can you drink on semaglutide? You can, but you might not want to.
Drink in moderation if you’re on Ozempic. If you want to drink on Ozempic, stick to moderate alcohol consumption — like enjoying just one drink and only drinking once in a while. Going for healthier drinks and pairing them with meals can help minimize the risks.
Check with a healthcare provider for personalized advice. A healthcare professional can let you know if alcohol is safe for you personally. They may recommend avoiding it altogether or sticking to a certain amount.
If you’re already taking Ozempic or a semaglutide drug through Hers, you’ve got access to unlimited online support from your healthcare team. Don’t be afraid to reach out to ask if it’s safe for you to drink alcohol.
Through Hers, you can also access prescription anti-nausea medication (generic Zofran®), if your provider prescribes it.
If you’re still considering your options, we can help. Take our free online weight loss assessment to find out whether you’re a good candidate for weight loss drugs — including Ozempic and the many other options out there.
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This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.