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Can You Drink Alcohol While Taking Ozempic For Weight Loss? 2024 Insights

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Reviewed by Maya Frankfurt, PhD
can you drink alcohol while taking ozempic for weight loss
Learn if you can drink alcohol while also taking Ozempic.Photo: Ba Le Ho

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Ozempic is a prescription medication for the management of type 2 diabetes.[1] Though not FDA-approved for weight loss, Ozempic may also be effective at helping people lose weight.[2] However, weight loss is influenced by many other factors, including alcohol consumption.

Can you drink alcohol while taking Ozempic for weight loss? Yes. Medical guidelines do not restrict alcohol consumption while taking Ozempic. However, alcohol may interfere with weight loss and blood sugar control. In addition, drinking may affect Ozempic’s action,[3] making it less effective at controlling blood sugar.

Regardless of whether or not it has a known interaction with Ozempic, alcohol may impede weight loss via insulin resistance, glucose metabolism, and microbiome alterations.

Can You Drink Alcohol While On Ozempic For Weight Loss?

Yes. While there is no direct contraindication between alcohol and Ozempic, alcohol can interfere with weight loss in other ways. Alcohol can disrupt insulin production and blood glucose levels. Alcohol may also disturb the bacterial balance in the gut microbiome, which can impede weight loss.

Can You Drink Alcohol While Taking Ozempic For Weight Loss?

can you drink alcohol while taking ozempic for weight loss
It’s safe to consume alcohol in moderation while taking Ozempic. Photo: Nicoleta Ionescu/Shutterstock

Yes. You can drink alcohol while on Ozempic for weight loss. No negative interactions have been established between Ozempic and alcohol. If you consume alcohol, there are no medical requirements to cut back when you begin taking Ozempic. However, alcohol does have many established harmful health effects,[4] some of which may interfere with weight loss.

Low Blood Sugar

Ozempic can help blood sugar drop. However, drinking alcohol[5] can also cause blood sugar to drop. Drinking too much alcohol, especially when combined with Ozempic, may have the potential to induce hypoglycemia or dangerously low blood sugar, prompting the individual to eat more and potentially gain weight.

Insulin Resistance 

Alcohol can also increase insulin resistance,[6] a condition in which the body is no longer as sensitive to insulin as it should be. Insulin moves sugar into our cells for energy. However, if you are insulin resistant, excess sugar remains in the bloodstream. This can cause weight gain[7] and lead to type 2 diabetes.

Gut Microbiome

Additionally, our gut microbiome is a crucial player in weight management.[8] Keeping it healthy and diverse with a whole-food diet is essential for weight loss and overall health. Certain foods and alcohol can[9] negatively impact gut bacteria, which can lead to weight gain.

Ozempic For Weight Loss And Alcohol

Consuming some alcohol while taking Ozempic is generally safe. However, it is important to understand how Ozempic and alcohol impact the body and influence weight.

Ozempic is typically prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes. It is beneficial for diabetes because it reduces blood glucose levels.[10] Ozempic increases insulin production after eating. Increased insulin production and lower blood glucose levels may also help people achieve weight loss.[11] This is partially due to the medication’s ability to initiate feelings of fullness.

Alcohol can cause both high and low blood sugar levels. The liver[12] stores glucose for energy and releases it as needed when blood sugar becomes low. This mechanism may become dysregulated when you drink or take Ozempic. Most commonly, dangerously low blood sugar may develop when alcohol is consumed either with another diabetes medication or on an empty stomach when taking Ozempic.

The time it takes to metabolize alcohol varies. On average, it takes the liver roughly one hour to metabolize one drink. This is another reason that alcohol monopolizes the liver’s time and effort.

Consuming alcohol while also taking Ozempic is medically permitted, however, the combination could pose the potential for hypoglycemia, especially if alcohol is taken on an empty stomach. This is an especially important consideration for individuals with type 2 diabetes taking insulin or insulin analogs, who may have to work harder to keep their blood sugar levels within normal ranges.

Does Alcohol Affect Ozempic? 

What happens if you drink alcohol while taking Ozempic? Ozempic may aid in lowering blood sugar, improving insulin resistance, and decreasing hunger, regardless of alcohol intake.

However, there are other health considerations when consuming alcohol. Alcohol can worsen low blood sugar, leading to potentially dangerous health consequences. Alcohol can also negatively impact the gut microbiome, which influences our metabolism[13] and immunity and aids in disease prevention.

Alcohol is also a high-calorie drink,[14] which can hinder weight loss efforts. Additionally, the combination of alcohol and Ozempic may heighten or bring on gastrointestinal side effects.[15]

How Much Alcohol Can You Drink On Ozempic? 

can you drink alcohol while taking ozempic for weight loss
Avoid excess alcohol while taking Ozempic for weight loss. Photo: Alexandra Morosanu/Shutterstock

Generally speaking, it is best to consume alcohol in moderation. The National Institute of Health advises no more than two drinks per day[15] for men and one drink per day for women. This applies to the general population, as well as to those who may be taking Ozempic.[16]

For weight loss and better overall health, it is advisable to reduce alcohol intake. Reach out to a qualified professional if you need help detoxing or cutting back on alcohol. Allow yourself time to detox. Some people may be able to detox faster than others. This depends on the severity of alcohol dependency, age, gender, medication use, and general health.

Other Weight Loss Tactics

If you plan to reduce alcohol to make your weight loss journey easier, you may also find it helpful to incorporate other weight loss tactics.

For example, drink more water. Water is essential for overall health and can aid in weight loss. Everyone’s water intake needs vary, but it is helpful to aim for roughly eight full glasses of water daily. This can also help you shrink your stomach.

Also, establish a healthy calorie deficit to lose weight. This is usually between 500-1,000[17] calories per day. While reducing calories, be sure to eat plenty of whole fruits and vegetables. These foods are low in calories but high in nutrients.

It may be helpful to examine your carbohydrate intake, as well. Many factors, such as age, sex, and activity level, will determine how many carbohydrates you need to eat per day to lose weight. However, most people should stay between 20-100 grams of carbohydrates a day to lose weight.

It is especially important for those with diabetes to monitor their daily carbohydrate intake to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Finally, some health and wellness supplements can further help the weight loss journey, reducing the need for higher dosages.

Conclusion

While there are no medically established limitations for alcohol consumption while taking Ozempic, it is generally safer and more effective for weight loss to limit alcohol. Alcohol is not contraindicated with Ozempic, however, it can impede weight loss and negatively impact health in numerous ways.

If you already have low blood sugar levels due to diabetes or another condition, the combination of Ozempic and alcohol may exacerbate the condition and lead to serious health consequences. For general health and safety, it is best to consume alcoholic beverages such as wine, beer, or cocktails in moderation after a meal. This is especially important while taking Ozempic for weight loss.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if you drink alcohol on Ozempic?

There are no direct contraindications between alcohol and Ozempic. However, both alcohol and Ozempic can lower blood sugar, which can induce hypoglycemia.

Can you drink alcohol with Ozempic for weight loss?

Yes. There is no medically established restriction for alcohol use while taking Ozempic for weight loss.

What to avoid while taking Ozempic for weight loss?

There are no specific foods or drinks that must be avoided while taking Ozempic. However, if you want to enhance your weight loss efforts, it’s best to avoid alcohol and high-carbohydrate foods.

Do I have to limit alcohol while taking Ozempic if I do not have diabetes?

You do not have to limit alcohol. However, limiting alcohol for all individuals is generally healthier and more weight-loss friendly. People with diabetes  are especially prone to imbalanced blood sugar levels. Limiting alcohol may be particularly important for them.

Do either Ozempic or alcohol lower blood sugar levels

They both do. Both Ozempic and alcohol can lower blood sugar levels. The combination may be excessive for certain individuals, leading to hypoglycemia, especially if alcohol is consumed on an empty stomach. 

+ 17 Sources

EHproject has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We work mostly with peer-reviewed studies to ensure accurate information. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Heather Freudenthal, Health CoachWriter

A health coach specializing in Integrative Nutrition, I approach wellness with a holistic and functional medicine perspective. As a writer, I simplify intricate topics such as nutrition, gut and hormone health, mental well-being, and spiritual health,… See More