Can you drink on Wegovy?

In this article:

• What is Wegovy?
• Can you drink on Wegovy?
• What happens if you drink alcohol while taking Wegovy?
• How long after taking Wegovy can you drink alcohol?
• Ways to manage alcohol consumption on Wegovy
• Bottom line: Drinking on Wegovy has risks

In this article

• What is Wegovy?
• Can you drink on Wegovy?
• What happens if you drink alcohol while taking Wegovy?
• How long after taking Wegovy can you drink alcohol?
• Ways to manage alcohol consumption on Wegovy
• Bottom line: Drinking on Wegovy has risks

Many people find themselves in social situations where alcohol is present while taking Wegovy, a prescription drug for weight loss. Wegovy helps to suppress appetite. If you’re at a wedding or a holiday party where alcohol flows freely, you might want to join the celebration with a drink or two. So, what happens when you mix Wegovy with alcohol?

Drinking alcohol while on Wegovy may counteract its benefits and increase the risk of side effects like dehydration and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). If you’re eager to lose weight and improve your health, avoiding alcohol will maximize the effectiveness of Wegovy. However, many people find they’re able to drink in moderation while taking this medication.

What is Wegovy?

Wegovy (semaglutide) is an injectable medication used for weight management and obesity treatment. It belongs to a class of medications called GLP-1 receptor agonists. GLP-1, or glucagon-like peptide-1, is a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels and appetite. By mimicking this hormone, semaglutide helps reduce hunger and food intake, leading to weight loss.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Wegovy for weight loss in June 2021. In clinical trials, patients using Wegovy experienced an average weight loss of 12.4% of their body weight. In addition, Wegovy is approved to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes in obese or overweight people with heart disease.

Novo Nordisk, the pharmaceutical company that developed Wegovy, also sells Ozempic, a medication with the same active ingredient that is approved for treating Type 2 diabetes.

Can you drink on Wegovy?

Drinking alcohol while on Wegovy is not typically recommended. Combining alcohol consumption with Wegovy may increase side effects and decrease its efficacy.

There is no direct interaction between alcohol and Wegovy, so drinking alcohol in moderation may be possible. Moderation generally means up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men.

Seek personalized medical advice from a healthcare provider before consuming alcohol while on Wegovy.

What happens if you drink alcohol while taking Wegovy?

Drinking alcohol while taking Wegovy can lead to several side effects, including nausea, an increased heart rate, low blood sugar, and inflammation of the pancreas, among others.

Nausea and vomiting

Nausea and vomiting are common side effects of Wegovy. When alcohol is added to the mix, these side effects may become more severe. Excessive amounts of alcohol can cause nausea and vomiting on their own, but it might take less alcohol to trigger these side effects while on Wegovy.

Increased heart rate

Combining alcohol and Wegovy can result in an increased heart rate. Initially, after drinking alcohol, alcohol can act as a stimulant that speeds up the heart rate. Combining Wegovy and alcohol may strain the heart. An increased heart rate can be particularly dangerous for individuals with pre-existing heart conditions or high blood pressure.

Low blood sugar

Alcohol can decrease blood sugar levels, especially in people taking medications that can lower blood sugar. Therefore, combining Wegovy and alcohol can lead to severely low blood sugar levels. Symptoms of low blood sugar include dizziness, confusion, and even fainting. Alcohol further blocks the liver’s ability to release glucose, worsening the risk. Consuming a meal rich in carbohydrates before drinking may help manage glucose levels, but always consult a healthcare provider for medical advice.

Blood pressure changes

Wegovy may cause low blood pressure as a side effect, especially in people taking blood pressure medications. Additionally, it can lead to orthostatic hypotension, a form of low blood pressure that happens when you stand up from sitting or lying down. Alcohol may decrease or increase blood pressure, depending on the amount consumed. Therefore, mixing Wegovy and alcohol may cause blood pressure changes, which may be relevant to those who have problems with blood pressure.

Increased risk of dehydration

Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it can increase urine production and lead to dehydration. Wegovy can also cause dehydration through side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Combining these two may increase the risk of severe dehydration. Dehydration affects overall health and can lead to kidney problems.

Inflammation of the pancreas

Drinking alcohol while taking Wegovy increases the risk of pancreatitis or inflammation of the pancreas. Alcohol is known to irritate the pancreas, and the combined effect with Wegovy can worsen this risk. Symptoms of pancreatitis include severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.

Proper medical guidance is recommended to manage the risks of these side effects. If severe adverse effects develop, seeking medical attention is important to prevent complications.

Decreased weight loss

Alcohol consumption may negatively affect weight loss goals. Alcohol contains empty calories, which means it provides no nutritional value. These calories can add up quickly, slowing progress on a weight loss journey. For instance, a single glass of wine can add around 120 to 165 calories, which can easily lead to weight gain if consumed regularly.

Excessive alcohol consumption can also lead to overeating. Alcohol lowers inhibitions and affects judgment, which can make it harder to stick to healthy eating plans. Overeating can result in consuming high-calorie foods that sabotage weight loss efforts. In addition, alcohol can affect metabolism and the body’s ability to burn fat efficiently.

Liver damage

Wegovy does not appear to harm the liver. In large clinical trials, people taking Wegovy did not have more liver enzyme problems than those taking a placebo or other treatments. In fact, Wegovy and similar drugs may improve liver health by lowering certain liver enzyme levels and reducing fat in the liver. 

Drinking alcohol, on the other hand, can damage the liver, especially for people with alcohol use disorder with heavy or long-term use. Alcohol-related liver disease is a serious condition that results from excessive drinking. While Wegovy is processed in the liver, there is no evidence that it causes liver problems. However, combining it with heavy alcohol use may potentially stress the liver further.

How long after taking Wegovy can you drink alcohol?

Wegovy has a half-life of about one week. The half-life is the time it takes for half of the drug to be eliminated from the body. To fully clear Wegovy, it generally takes around five half-lives, which is roughly five weeks.

Drinking alcohol too soon after taking Wegovy may intensify side effects like nausea and vomiting. Therefore, you may want to wait until Wegovy is sufficiently cleared from the body before consuming alcohol, especially if you’re particularly sensitive to the effects of Wegovy or alcohol.

Consult your healthcare provider to determine when it may be appropriate to drink alcohol after taking Wegovy. They can give you specific medical advice based on your health condition and dosage regimen.

Ways to manage alcohol consumption on Wegovy

If you decide to drink while on Wegovy, there may be ways to reduce the risk of side effects. Here are some practical tips to help you:

• Set limits: Decide in advance how many drinks you will have and stick to that limit.
• Choose lower-calorie drinks: Opt for beverages like light beer or wine, which tend to have fewer calories than cocktails or mixed drinks.
• Stay hydrated: Drink a glass of water between alcoholic beverages to stay hydrated and slow down your drinking pace.
• Eat before drinking: Having a meal before drinking may help reduce the effects of alcohol and prevent overconsumption.
• Avoid binge drinking: Spread out your drinks over time and avoid consuming large amounts of alcohol in one sitting.
• Find alternatives: If you’re socializing, consider non-alcoholic options like sparkling water with a splash of juice or mocktails.
• Listen to your body: Pay attention to how alcohol affects you while on Wegovy and adjust your intake accordingly.

By following these tips, you may be able to minimize potential complications from drinking on Wegovy. That way, you can achieve your weight-loss goals while not feeling restricted when it comes to drinking on occasion. 

Bottom line: Drinking on Wegovy has risks

Mixing Wegovy and alcohol can increase side effects like low blood pressure, nausea, and dehydration. In severe cases, mixing the two may lead to inflammation of the pancreas. In addition, alcohol is known to add empty calories, which might counteract the weight loss benefits of Wegovy.

While limiting alcohol altogether is best when taking Wegovy, drinking in moderation may be an option for many. Therefore, when it comes to whether it’s safe to drink on Wegovy, the answer is it depends on how these substances affect you. In any case, you should consult a healthcare provider if you take Wegovy and a part of your life is enjoying alcoholic beverages.