Weight Loss

3 min read

Can You Drink on Ozempic?

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Updated:

March 6, 2025

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Medically reviewed by

Giselle Leung, PharmD, BCGP

Key Takeaways

There are limits to alcohol consumption when taking Ozempic, a popular branded version of semaglutide. This is because it can affect blood sugar, impact weight loss goals, and exacerbate gastrointestinal side effects. Always consult with your healthcare provider to help determine your specific risk profile when considering drinking on Ozempic. If you experience any serious side effects while drinking on Ozempic, seek urgent medical attention or contact your healthcare provider right away.

Can You Drink on Ozempic? - Understanding the Risks

To answer this question, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of Ozempic and alcohol consumption—what exactly does Ozempic do in the body, and how could alcohol affect this? Bottomline, drinking alcohol while taking Ozempic can alter how the two substances normally interact with your body. So, is it worth it?

While consumption of alcohol on semaglutide is not considered entirely harmful when done in moderation, adverse health risks do exist and should not be ignored. Understanding the why and how is key to determining your limits.

Exploring the Relationship Between Ozempic and Alcohol

Although there are no direct interactions between Ozempic and alcohol in the body, there are consequences to mixing the two. Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Ozempic—these medications are known as GLP-1 agonists. They help to manage type 2 diabetes and aid in weight loss by lowering blood sugar levels, slowing gastric emptying, and reducing appetite and cravings.

Simply put, one of the intended effects of semaglutide is to change the way the body processes and responds to food and drink. This includes alcohol as well.

Potential Side Effects of Consuming Alcohol While Taking Ozempic

Alcohol consumption also has its own effects on the body—such as impacting blood sugar levels; increasing appetite and cravings; causing nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; and slowing down the metabolism.

Sounding a little familiar? Just like Ozempic, alcohol also targets similar physiological responses—blood sugar control, appetite, cravings, metabolism, and upset stomach. When done in tandem, the side effects of both these substances can be exacerbated. This has the potential to lead to serious and concerning health risks that should not be ignored.


Ozempic	Risks	Alcohol
Lowers blood sugar levels	Increases the risk of low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia—dizziness, confusion, shakiness, difficulty with talking and walking normally—side effects which are easily confused with side effects from drinking. If left untreated, hypoglycemia can lead to brain damage, loss of consciousness, and seizures, particularly in those with type 2 diabetes.	Can rapidly increase or decrease blood sugar levels making blood sugar control more unpredictable
Reduces appetite and cravings	Accidentally making poor food choices that can cause upset stomach, vomiting, and diarrhea. Here’s more information on what foods to avoid while taking Ozempic to help you understand this effect.	Lowers inhibitions increasing appetite, cravings, and poor food choices
Slows gastric emptying	You could become intoxicated faster than normal, and you might not realize it. This can easily lead to excessive consumption which causes alcohol poisoning.	Also slows metabolism, processing alcohol before more complex carbohydrates
Gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea	Two times the chance for an upset stomach? Drinking alcohol while taking Ozempic can exacerbate gastrointestinal discomforts— causing dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea. Turning a fun night into a not-so-fun night really fast.	Can also have adverse gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

Official Guidelines Concerning Ozempic and Alcohol

There are no hard and fast rules against drinking alcohol while taking semaglutide, or Ozempic. Medical professionals typically advise individuals to be cautious, use moderation, and seek individualized treatment advice.

In the event of excessive alcohol consumption, it is important to stop drinking alcohol immediately and stay hydrated. Always be certain someone you are with knows about these potential side effects from your medication and can keep an eye out for any side effects or strange behaviors.

Remember that the side effects of low blood sugar closely mimic the effects of excessive alcohol consumption. If this is the case, seek medical attention right away to check on your blood sugar levels. It is never a bad idea to play it safe.

Safe Practices While Drinking Alcohol on Semaglutide

This is the key to safe alcohol consumption while using Ozempic or semaglutide—use caution and practice moderation. Be aware of the potential side effects—don’t drink on an empty stomach, and stay hydrated. Consider monitoring your blood sugar levels and use the buddy system—always make certain you have a friend you can trust to help keep an eye on you.

Try to avoid sugary beverages, and instead opt for lower-calorie alternatives. Swap out alcoholic beverages completely for non-alcoholic options, like mocktails. You might find yourself not missing drinking alcohol entirely.

If you’re worried about your alcohol consumption but are still wondering if semaglutide might be right for you—Ahara can help you get the answers you need. With Ahara, you’ll work hand in hand with a licensed medical provider to help make informed decisions. Ahara’s approach to compounded semaglutide may provide a more personalized approach than traditional Ozempic.

How Often and How Much You Can Drink When Using Ozempic

By definition, a standard drink is any beverage containing .6 fluid ounces of alcohol—12 fluid ounces of beer (5% alcohol), 5 fluid ounces of wine (12% alcohol), or 1.5 fluid ounces of liquor (40% alcohol).

In the US, moderate drinking is considered up to two standard drinks per day for men and around one standard drink per day for women. Other countries recommend drinking no more than 10 drinks weekly for both genders, and Canada actually suggests a maximum of two drinks total per week for everyone.

Although you're able to drink, you can choose to drink or not drink. Always use caution and moderation when drinking on Ozempic. Stick to the recommended standards for moderate alcohol consumption, or avoid drinking alcohol altogether.

Identifying an Alcohol Use Disorder When Using Semaglutide

Many of us enjoy drinking responsibly with friends and family—commemorating milestones, celebrating special occasions, and maybe even just toasting to the end of a hard week. However, if you feel like you're relying on alcohol to function on a daily basis, or you find yourself repeatedly drinking in excess, you might be struggling with an alcohol use disorder.

If you’re worried about your drinking habits, the CDC offers an online tool you can use to assess your drinking habits. Your healthcare provider is a great place to go for help and support managing an alcohol use disorder.

Diving Deeper: Additional Resources on Semaglutide and Alcohol

Interestingly, some recent studies have shown that GLP-1 medications may actually help curb alcohol cravings, similar to the effect the medication has on other food and drink cravings. Other clinical trials have shown promising results for semaglutide and reducing alcohol consumption among heavy drinkers—participants taking semaglutide experienced greater reductions in drinking quantity and drinking compared to those in a placebo group.

These studies suggest that semaglutide may potentially help reduce alcohol consumption. More research is needed to fully understand the relationship between semaglutide and alcohol use.

Further, while these factors may exist, it is still not recommended to drink excessively while taking the medication. Due to the outlined risks, it may not be worth it to drink heavily on Ozempic, or semaglutide. However, there are still no hard and fast rules against it, leaving the decision up to you.

FAQs

There are several commonly asked questions regarding drinking on Ozempic. Here are our answers.

What happens if you drink alcohol on Ozempic?

While there are no hard and fast rules against drinking alcohol while taking Ozempic, it is important to understand the risks associated with it. Side effects like low blood sugar, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting may occur.

How many drinks can you have on Ozempic?

Most medical professionals recommend using caution, moderation, and seeking out individualized treatment advice when determining your limits for responsible alcohol consumption while on Ozempic.

What can't you do on Ozempic?

You can still do most of the things you did before starting Ozempic, however, you may find yourself no longer craving unhealthy food choices or drinking excessively.

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Sources

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, October 29). Check Your Drinking. https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/checkyourdrinking/index.html

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National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2024, April). What’s a “Standard Drink”? https://rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/how-much-too-much/whats-standard-drink

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2024, April). What Are the U.S. Guidelines for Drinking?

https://rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/how-much-too-much/what-are-us-guidelines-drinking

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2024, September). Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/understanding-alcohol-use-disorder

Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction. (2023). Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health. https://www.ccsa.ca/canadas-guidance-alcohol-and-health

Quddos, F., Hubshman, Z., Tegge, A., Sane, D., Marti, E., Kablinger, A.S., Gatchalian, K.M., Kelly, A.L., DiFeliceantonio, A.G., & Bickel, W.K. (2023, November 28). Semaglutide and Tirzepatide reduce alcohol consumption in individuals with obesity. Science Reports,13:20998. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-48267-2

UNC Health. (2024, June 25). Clinical Trial on Semaglutide Shows Promise for Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder, Warrants Further Trials. https://news.unchealthcare.org/2024/06/clinical-trial-on-semaglutide-shows-promise-for-treatment-of-alcohol-use-disorder-warrants-further-trials/

https://www.ahara.com/learn/compounded-semaglutide-vs-ozempic

https://www.ahara.com/learn/how-does-semaglutide-work

https://www.ahara.com/learn/3-foods-to-avoid-when-taking-semaglutide-or-tirzepatide-weight-loss-medication

https://www.ahara.com/learn/foods-to-eat-and-avoid-while-taking-glp-1-medications

https://www.ahara.com/learn/how-long-stay-on-semaglutide-for-weight-loss

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