Can you drink on Rybelsus?

In this article:

• Rybelsus and alcohol
• Rybelsus interaction with alcohol
• Contraindications
• How long should you wait to drink
• Are any diabetes medications safe?
• The bottom line

In this article

• Rybelsus and alcohol
• Rybelsus interaction with alcohol
• Contraindications
• How long should you wait to drink
• Are any diabetes medications safe?
• The bottom line

Rybelsus (semaglutide) is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist drug that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to improve blood sugar levels in adults with Type 2 diabetes. It is an oral medication that contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic. Like Ozempic, Rybelsus may sometimes be prescribed off-label for weight loss. It works by mimicking the actions of the GLP-1 hormone to stimulate insulin secretion, lower glucagon secretion, and slow gastric emptying. Those effects help regulate glucose and appetite. 

RELATED: Rybelsus vs. Ozempic

In most cases, Rybelsus is taken long-term, and alcohol interferes with certain diabetes medications. Is Rybelsus one of them? While there are no known interactions between Rybelsus and alcohol, there may be some risks with combining the two. 

Can you drink while taking Rybelsus?

It depends. The drug’s prescribing information does not have specific recommendations to avoid alcohol during treatment. However, mixing alcohol and Rybelsus may increase your risk of certain side effects and hypoglycemia (episodes of low blood sugar). Additionally, alcohol can make Rybelsus less effective as a weight-loss aid. If your blood sugar is well-controlled, your healthcare provider may give the green light to drink in moderation—one drink a day for women and two for men—with the following precautions:

• Choose low-sugar drinks. Light beer and wine are good options over cocktails with sugary mixers.
• Drink with food. Avoid alcohol on an empty stomach to help keep blood sugar stable.
• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water alongside your alcoholic beverage.
• Be aware of the signs of hypoglycemia. Consider alerting friends or family to the symptoms or wearing a medical ID bracelet in case you become confused or disoriented.
• Keep track of your blood sugar. Test your levels regularly in the 24 hours after drinking to ensure you’re staying at your target levels.

Or, stay on the safe side and try a low-sugar mocktail to enjoy socializing without the risks of alcohol consumption.

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What happens if you mix Rybelsus and alcohol?

Mixing Rybelsus and alcohol increases your risk of the following side effects and may decrease the effectiveness of the medication.

Nausea and vomiting

Rybelsus commonly causes gastrointestinal (GI) side effects, such as nausea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. Alcohol also has several effects on the digestive system, especially when consumed in excess. It can cause nausea, vomiting, flatulence, and abdominal discomfort. Therefore, combining alcohol and Rybelsus can make these digestive side effects more likely. 

Hypoglycemia

Diabetes mellitus is characterized by high blood glucose levels. Rybelsus is a diabetes medication used to treat Type 2 diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels. The drug’s label indicates that hypoglycemia—or low blood sugar levels—can occur, especially if the drug is taken with insulin or an insulin-like medication. 

Alcohol consumption is also known to cause hypoglycemia by either reducing the liver’s production of sugar or increasing insulin secretion. As a result, mixing alcohol with Rybelsus can cause blood sugar levels to drop too low. This can result in symptoms such as confusion, dizziness, and sweating. 

Pancreatitis or kidney problems

Pancreatitis and kidney problems have occurred in people taking GLP-1 drugs, such as Rybelsus. Chronic or excessive alcohol consumption (which is defined by four to five drinks daily for five years) has been linked to pancreatitis. 

Alcohol can also change the function of the kidneys. Your kidneys are involved in filtering harmful substances—like alcohol—from your blood and balancing the amount of water in your body. Drinking alcohol can affect the kidneys’ ability to do this, and it can also dehydrate your body. 

On its own, Rybelsus can cause kidney damage or pancreatitis. Combining it with alcohol may enhance these risks. 

Decreased effectiveness in weight loss

Because Rybelsus can cause decreased appetite, it is often prescribed off-label for weight management. However, experts generally recommend cutting back on your alcohol intake if you are trying to lose weight. This is because alcohol can cause weight gain, either by adding excess calories to your diet or increasing the risk of poorer food choices when you drink. Because of this, mixing Rybelsus and alcohol can make the drug less effective at helping you lose weight. 

Are certain people at greater risk of side effects?

While some people may be able to tolerate Rybelsus and alcohol, others can be at higher risk of side effects when combining the two. While it’s a good idea for anyone to ask a healthcare provider before drinking on Rybelsus, these individuals should be extra cautious.

People taking certain diabetes medications 

People who take insulin or medications that cause their body to release insulin may be at higher risk of hypoglycemia when mixing Rybelsus and alcohol. The mixture alone can make hypoglycemia more likely, but adding insulin to the picture can enhance this risk significantly. 

People with kidney, pancreas, or gastrointestinal conditions

Kidney damage, pancreatitis, and gastrointestinal issues are all potential side effects of Rybelsus, especially when combined with alcohol. Anyone with existing kidney, pancreas, or GI problems is more likely to experience these negative effects.  

How long after taking Rybelsus can you drink alcohol?

There isn’t a standard amount of time recommended to wait to drink alcohol after taking Rybelsus. However, it’s recommended to avoid consuming any food or drink for at least 30 minutes after taking the medication.

Depending on your health status, you may need to wait to drink alcohol until after you discontinue treatment with Rybelsus. Rybelsus stays in the body for a long time. Its half-life (the time it takes for half of a drug to leave your system) is about 1 week. In general, it takes about five half-lives for a medication to be cleared from the body. This means it can take about 5 weeks for Rybelsus to completely leave your system. Meaning, you’ll need to wait just over a month until you’re in the clear to have a cocktail.

Are any diabetes medications safe to mix with alcohol?

Diabetes medications work by reducing blood sugar levels. Alcohol increases the risk of hypoglycemia. So, it’s risky to combine alcohol with any diabetes drugs. Examples of diabetes medications that interact with alcohol include:

• Insulin: Drinking while taking insulin increases your risk for hypoglycemia.
• Sulfonylureas: Combining alcohol with sulfonylureas—such as Amaryl (glimepiride), DiaBeta (glyburide), and Glucotrol (glipizide)—increases hypoglycemia risk.
• Metformin: Along with increased hypoglycemia risk, mixing alcohol and metformin can increase the risk of lactic acidosis (a rare but serious side effect caused by a buildup of lactic acid in your system). 
• Thiazolidinediones: Taking thiazolidinediones—such as Actos (pioglitazone) and Avandia (rosiglitazone)—with alcohol increases your risk for liver damage.

Nevertheless, with the right precautions, you may be able to drink in moderation while treating diabetes. Always discuss alcohol consumption with your healthcare team when you’re taking any medications. 

The bottom line

While there are no known drug interactions between Rybelsus and alcohol, there are certain risks to combining the two. These include an increased risk of nausea and vomiting, hypoglycemia, pancreatitis, and kidney problems, as well as decreased effectiveness as a weight-loss aid. That said, occasional alcohol consumption may be okay with certain precautions if approved by your healthcare provider. Some people are at higher risk of side effects from combining alcohol and Rybelsus. Always seek medical advice from a healthcare professional before drinking on Rybelsus.