Can You Drink Alcohol While Taking Ozempic?

While alcohol is safe to drink while taking Ozempic, it’s best to limit your consumption as it can pose some potential risks. Drinking alcohol while taking Ozempic may result in the following.

You may experience reduced liver function.

Melissa Mitri, RD, a registered dietitian and nutrition writer, says, “Your liver plays a vital role in balancing blood sugar levels, but it’s not always good at multitasking. When you drink alcohol, it enters your liver to metabolize, and this job takes priority. So your liver may not be not able to effectively balance blood sugar at the same time.”

Mixing alcohol with Ozempic could strain your liver, potentially leading to reduced liver function. This is because both alcohol and Ozempic can affect liver enzymes, and combining them may exacerbate these effects.

Your blood sugar levels may fluctuate.

Ozempic helps regulate blood sugar levels, but alcohol can interfere with this process, leading to spikes or drops in blood sugar levels. According to the American Diabetes Association, drinking alcohol can increase your risk for hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood sugar levels).

“Hypoglycemia may be a concern for anyone who is drinking while taking Ozempic, but especially for those already taking blood-sugar-lowering medications,” says Mitri. “It’s essential to monitor your blood sugar levels, avoid drinking on an empty stomach and speak to your doctor regarding alcohol use.”

You might worsen gastrointestinal issues.

According to the NIH, alcohol can irritate the gastrointestinal tract and worsen symptoms such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, especially in those who may already be experiencing similar issues as side effects of using Ozempic. Additionally, alcohol can interfere with the absorption of medications, potentially reducing the effectiveness of Ozempic.

“When you consume alcohol, it enters your digestive system and irritates your stomach lining. Therefore, if you drink alcohol while taking Ozempic, you may exacerbate digestive side effects, like delayed gastric emptying (slowed digestion) already occurring from the medication,” explains Mitri.

You may reduce weight loss.

Since alcohol contains 7 calories per gram, regularly consuming it in excess can result in unintentional weight gain. Mitri shares, “Research suggests that heavy drinking is associated with overweight and obesity, which is why drinking in moderation is important.” Mitri adds that drinking can also impact the food choices we make, which may also impact weight-loss efforts over time.