Wondering if you can enjoy a drink while on semaglutide? You’re not alone. This is a common question for those who are using semaglutide.
You want to make sure that there is no risk to you or the efficacy of your medication. Understanding how the interaction between alcohol and semaglutide is key to making informed choices for your health.
In this article, we explore potential risks and tips to stay safe while managing your treatment.
Both Wegovy and Ozempic contain the active ingredient semaglutide, but they serve different medical purposes. Ozempic is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes management, while Wegovy is FDA-approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight. Throughout this article, any reference to semaglutide for weight loss refers to Wegovy. Mentions of semaglutide for blood sugar control or type-2 diabetes management refer to Ozempic.
Can you Drink Alcohol on Semaglutide?
The answer here is technically yes. The FDA has not issued any warnings for drinking alcohol with semaglutide. There are also no known interactions between the alcohol and semaglutide.
But, the truth is, alcohol can potentially undermine the medication’s benefits and even worsen its side effects.
Alcohol has the potential to cause weight gain, which could counteract semaglutide’s benefits. Not only is alcohol high in calories, it can slow down your metabolism and prevent your body from burning fat.
Alcohol consumption can impact your satiety, making you feel more hungry. Since alcohol often triggers cravings for salty and greasy foods, it can disrupt your progress by tempting you to indulge in unhealthy choices. This counteracts the weight loss effects of semaglutide (Wegovy) and makes it harder to stick to your dietary goals.
What Happens If You Drink Alcohol While On Semaglutide?
Generally speaking, nothing. The two don’t interact in a way that can be dangerous. But, semaglutide and alcohol both have side effects that can work together to make life harder and potentially cause long-term issues.
Semaglutide can actually curb alcohol cravings. In fact, semaglutide is currently being studied in treatment for alcohol abuse. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), and collaborators from The Scripps Research Institute conducted a study on rodents that shows a reduction of alcohol consumption and binge-like drinking.
Other studies have shown that semaglutide can reduce heavy drinking compared to placebo groups. It seems to remove the pleasure from drinking alcohol, likely because semaglutide affects the brain areas that control both eating and cravings for alcohol and substances.
Semaglutide and Alcohol Side Effects
Though they don’t interact, the side effects of both alcohol and semaglutide do overlap and can exacerbate each other.
Heightened Risk of Hypoglycemia
Alcohol can cause hypoglycemia. With your liver’s focus on processing the alcohol, it stops releasing glucose, which drops blood sugar levels. Hypoglycemia is also a potential side effect of semaglutide.
Individuals with diabetes are at even more risk of potentially dangerous hypoglycemia if they combine semaglutide with alcohol.
Increased Gastrointestinal Issues
Semaglutide often causes gastrointestinal side effects, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain. These symptoms are already common, but drinking alcohol can exacerbate them.
Alcohol irritates the digestive system, both during consumption and after the alcohol has burned off. This can potentially intensify your discomfort and make these side effects more severe and harder to manage.
Increased Risk of Kidney Issues
A known but rare side effect of semaglutide is the potential for acute kidney injury. This risk, while uncommon, becomes more concerning when combined with excessive alcohol consumption, which can also cause kidney damage.
Alcohol can put additional strain on the kidneys, impairing their ability to filter waste and regulate fluid levels. When both semaglutide and alcohol are in the mix, the combined effect can increase the risk of kidney issues.
Increased Risk of Dehydration
Alcohol is a known diuretic. It makes you urinate more frequently and can lead to dehydration. The gastrointestinal symptoms associated with semaglutide can also cause dehydration.
Dehydration can lead to a number of issues–including blood sugar spikes—but prolonged or repeated bouts of dehydration can cause kidney damage. With the risk of kidney injury and kidney failure already heightened with semaglutide and alcohol mixed, dehydration can be potentially dangerous.
Increased Risk of Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is another known but uncommon side effect of semaglutide. Excessive alcohol use has also been linked to pancreatitis. Dehydration—caused by alcohol and semaglutide’s GI side effects—can increase the risk of developing pancreatitis or other issues.
Increased Risk of Muscle Loss
The rapid weight loss individuals experience with semaglutide can cause muscle loss alongside fat loss. Alcohol has been shown to increase fat mass while decreasing muscle mass.
How to Limit Alcohol Use If You Are On Semaglutide
Semaglutide can curb alcohol cravings, which can naturally lead to less alcohol consumption in users. There are options to quit for good. But, if you’re still struggling to cut back on alcohol use, there are some tips:
- Drink slowly. Research has suggested that drinking alcohol slowly gives your body more time to process the alcohol. It can also lead to less consumption in each sitting.
- Stay hydrated. If you are going to drink while on semaglutide, make hydration a priority. The potential side effects linked to prolonged or repeated dehydration are dangerous and long-term. Be smart and stay hydrated.
- Consider non-alcoholic alternatives. You may consider non-alcoholic alternatives to help lower your alcohol consumption.
Conclusion
With a semaglutide prescription and professional guidance with Heally, you can start seeing real results.
Register with Heally today for a convenient online consultation with a knowledgeable semaglutide doctor in our network. Get personalized guidance and the support you need to reach your goals—all from the comfort of your home.
Sources
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: Semaglutide shows promise as a potential alcohol use disorder medication
- CBS News: Unexpected side effect from popular weight loss drugs studied for help with addiction treatment
- UNC Health: Clinical Trial on Semaglutide Shows Promise for Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder, Warrants Further Trials
- American Psychological Association: Faster alcohol metabolism is associated with increased stimulation and within session consumption.
- Medical News Today: Heavy drinkers risk muscle loss, new study finds
Important Medical Information and Disclaimers
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendation. Semaglutide is the active ingredient in two FDA-approved prescription medications: Ozempic, approved for improving blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes, and Wegovy, approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight who have at least one weight-related medical condition. Although both medications contain semaglutide, they are approved for different uses and have different dosing schedules. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any treatment plan.
INDIVIDUAL RESULTS VARY
Outcomes with semaglutide treatment vary from person to person. Clinical trial data may not reflect typical real-world experiences. A variety of factors can affect your results, including medication adherence, lifestyle habits such as diet and exercise, metabolic differences, other health conditions, and concurrent medications. No specific result is guaranteed.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Common side effects of semaglutide may include: Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Constipation, Stomach pain, Decreased appetite, Indigestion, Belching or gas, Injection site reactions
These side effects are often mild and may lessen over time. Always inform your healthcare provider about any medical conditions, allergies, and all medications you are currently taking before starting semaglutide. Ongoing monitoring is recommended during treatment.
WARNING: Semaglutide has a boxed warning about the potential risk of thyroid C-cell tumors. Do not use this medication if you or a family member has a history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
FDA ADVERSE EVENT REPORTING
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Adverse events may also be reported directly to the manufacturer.
