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Key takeaways
It’s safe to consume coffee while you’re taking Wegovy.
Some people lose their taste for coffee, and others find that coffee increases gastrointestinal side effects of Wegovy, such as nausea, acid reflux, or heartburn.
You can try decreasing your coffee intake, try different caffeinated drinks, or leave more time between your Wegovy injection and coffee consumption.
Wegovy is a prescription medication that’s making headlines for its effectiveness in helping people lose weight and manage obesity. As a GLP-1 receptor agonist, it’s FDA approved not only for weight management but also for reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes in those with cardiovascular disease. The active ingredient, semaglutide, is delivered through a once-weekly injection and works best when paired with healthy eating and regular exercise.
Given that millions of Americans start their day with a cup of coffee, it’s no surprise that many people taking Wegovy wonder if they need to rethink their morning routine. The good news? Coffee and Wegovy generally play well together. While some users report a diminished taste for coffee or mild gastrointestinal side effects, there are no known harmful interactions, meaning you can still enjoy a cup or two daily.
Can you drink coffee on Wegovy?
“There is no known published information or documentation of any harmful effects resulting from the consumption of caffeine and Wegovy (semaglutide),” explains Michael Chichak, MD, a healthcare provider at MEDvidi with expertise in weight loss management. “For most people, drinking coffee should not pose any problem while taking Wegovy.”
There are no known Wegovy and coffee interactions, agrees Supriya Rao, MD, a board-certified gastroenterologist and obesity lifestyle medicine expert. Additionally, coffee doesn’t decrease the effectiveness of Wegovy, Dr. Rao says.
However, drinking coffee may worsen some of the potential side effects of Wegovy, such as nausea, heartburn, and bloating. If this happens to you, Dr. Rao recommends scaling back on your caffeine intake.
There are no official guidelines on the amount of coffee that’s safe to consume while on Wegovy. Most people can drink the usual FDA-recommended amount of caffeine for otherwise healthy adults, which is no more than 400 mg of caffeine per day. This amounts to roughly three to four eight-ounce cups of coffee.
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Does coffee taste different while on Wegovy?
“Some people will notice that coffee tastes different or find they have a decreased interest in drinking coffee,” says Sarah Stombaugh, MD, an obesity medicine provider. “However, these responses are highly variable, and many people will find they are able to consume coffee as they desire.”
This response might be related to how Wegovy impacts digestion and appetite. Nausea, delayed gastric emptying, and overall changes in appetite and cravings can all influence your interest in coffee while on Wegovy, Dr. Rao adds.
If this happens to you, there are other options to consider if you are looking for a caffeine boost. “You could try tea, matcha, or even a low-acid cold brew,” Dr. Rao suggests. Just stay away from energy drinks. They are often packed with sugar and other additives that you should avoid while taking Wegovy.
Does coffee interact with other weight loss medications?
There are no known interactions between Wegovy and coffee. The same is true for other GLP-1 medications, such as Ozempic, Trulicity, Mounjaro, or Zepbound.
However, other weight loss drugs may be less safe. “Most weight loss medications don’t have a direct interaction with coffee, but stimulant-based ones like phentermine or Contrave can amplify caffeine’s effects—jitteriness, increased heart rate, and anxiety,” Dr. Rao says. “Always monitor how you feel and keep a symptom tracker if needed to help assess side effects.”
Best practices for combining coffee and Wegovy
There are no particular measures you need to take to safely consume Wegovy and coffee together. However, if you’re experiencing increased side effects from combining the two, these strategies can help reduce acid reflux and heartburn:
- Eat a small meal or snack before your daily joe so you aren’t drinking coffee on an empty stomach. Just avoid high-fat foods or processed carbohydrates, as they can counteract the effectiveness of Wegovy or worsen side effects.
- Add low-fat milk or even a splash of protein shake to help balance the acidity of black coffee.
- Drink plenty of water to ensure you stay hydrated. Coffee is a diuretic, and can contribute to dehydration, which makes Wegovy side effects worse.
- Skip coffee on the day of your injection. Or, take your Wegovy injection at night and enjoy your coffee the next morning, Dr. Rao advises.
Finally, keep in mind that most Wegovy side effects, including nausea, bloating, acid reflux, and heartburn, get better as your body adjusts to the medication. That means that for some people, cutting back on coffee and then increasing it again as side effects decrease is an option. Most of the common Wegovy side effects decrease within about two to four weeks.
The bottom line
Wegovy and coffee are fine to take together. They are a safe combination. However, some people experience gastrointestinal side effects while taking Wegovy with coffee, and others may lose their appetite for coffee.
Everyone reacts differently. If you have questions or concerns about Wegovy and coffee, or if you have any questions along your weight loss journey, reach out to your healthcare provider for a personalized treatment plan based on your lifestyle, preferences, and weight loss needs.
- FDA approves first treatment to reduce risk of serious heart problems specifically in adults with obesity or overweight, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2024)
- Spilling the beans: How much caffeine is too much?, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2024)
- Label: Wegovy – semaglutide injection, solution, DailyMed (2024)