{"id":52365,"date":"2022-07-08T09:30:51","date_gmt":"2022-07-08T13:30:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=52365"},"modified":"2025-03-12T13:30:26","modified_gmt":"2025-03-12T17:30:26","slug":"ozempic-and-alcohol","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/ozempic-and-alcohol\/","title":{"rendered":"What happens when you mix Ozempic and alcohol?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nearly <\/span>11% of the United States population<\/span><\/a> has diabetes. <\/span>One out of every three adults<\/span><\/a> in the U.S. is obese. It\u2019s no wonder, then, that Ozempic<\/a> (semaglutide)\u2014the latest wonder drug that treats both conditions\u2014has been <\/span>flying off pharmacy shelves<\/span><\/a>. This injectable medication is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It works by stimulating the GLP-1 receptors in your pancreas to release insulin and help control blood sugar levels.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ozempic is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat <\/span>Type 2 diabetes<\/span><\/a>. Because decreased appetite is a common side effect, it has also become a popular <\/span>off-label<\/span><\/a> weight-loss drug. Alcohol is often a no-no for people with diabetes <\/span>and<\/span><\/i> those looking to drop a few pounds because it throws your blood sugar out of whack and adds empty calories to your diet. Add prescription medication to the mix, and it gets even more complicated\u2014making Ozempic and alcohol a tricky combination. While there\u2019s no direct interaction, regular drinking can decrease the medication\u2019s effectiveness and increase side effects.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Ozempic vs. Trulicity<\/b><\/a> |<\/b> 8 ways to save money on Ozempic<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Can you drink alcohol while taking Ozempic?<\/span><\/h2>\n

There is no alcohol-drug interaction with Ozempic, but that doesn\u2019t mean drinking on this medication is a good idea. Alcohol causes short-term and long-term changes in blood sugar levels and adds extra calories to your diet, decreasing its efficacy for treating diabetes and obesity. On top of that, certain side effects of Ozempic and excessive alcohol consumption overlap\u2014namely gastrointestinal issues.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That being said, it\u2019s probably okay to enjoy an occasional drink if your blood sugar levels are under control. Just be sure to limit your daily alcohol consumption to two drinks (if you\u2019re a man) or one drink (if you\u2019re a woman). Chronic alcohol consumption or heavy drinking increases the risk of the following side effects with the use of Ozempic.<\/span><\/p>\n

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RELATED: <\/b>Can you drink alcohol while taking Mounjaro?<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

1. Your blood sugar could fluctuate<\/span><\/h3>\n

Many people may be taking Ozempic along with other diabetes medications, such as <\/span>insulin<\/span><\/a> or metformin. Around 4% of people taking Ozempic alone and around 30% of patients taking Ozempic with insulin or metformin experienced low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) in <\/span>clinical trials<\/span><\/a>. With alcohol, there is also a risk of hypoglycemia, as alcohol can block the production and release of sugar from the liver. As a result, combining alcohol and Ozempic can cause blood sugar levels to spiral too low.<\/span><\/p>\n

Low blood sugar symptoms can vary in severity and may include confusion, drowsiness, shakiness, nausea, headaches, and chills. It\u2019s important to consistently monitor blood sugar levels while taking Ozempic and follow your healthcare provider\u2019s instructions on how to treat hypoglycemia.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. You may lose less weight<\/span><\/h3>\n

Alcohol<\/span><\/a> can significantly affect your weight loss efforts on Ozempic. Not only can alcoholic <\/span>beverages be<\/span> calorie-dense, but drinking can stimulate your appetite and lower your inhibitions\u2014potentially <\/span>leading<\/span> to poor food choices, especially if you drink on an empty stomach. Plus, when you consume alcohol, the body prioritizes the metabolism of alcohol over fats and carbohydrates.<\/span><\/p>\n

Because of these effects, alcohol can make it harder to lose weight on Ozempic\u2014or even lead to weight gain. If you do <\/span>imbibe<\/span>, drink in moderation and <\/span>stick to wine<\/span> or distilled spirits like tequila, vodka, and <\/span>bourbon,<\/span> and avoid sugary mixers.<\/span><\/p>\n

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