Ozempic and Alcohol: Are They Safe to Mix?

Whether or not you take Ozempic, alcohol can have a big impact on your health and how well you’re able to manage your diabetes diagnosis. Whether or not you drink is a personal decision, but for Virta member Michael, quitting alcohol was a crucial part of his health journey. However, if you choose to drink occasionally, you may wonder if it’s safe to consume alcohol while taking Ozempic, and if so, how much. Here’s what you need to know about Ozempic and alcohol.

Can you drink alcohol on Ozempic?

Technically, you can drink alcohol while on Ozempic, but it’s important to talk with your doctor about your personal risk factors, especially if you have diabetes. 

When you drink alcohol, your blood sugar can initially spike if the alcohol contains carbs. As your body releases insulin, your liver begins trying to metabolize the sugar and alcohol that have been released in your bloodstream. Where things get weird is that when your liver has to choose between metabolizing alcohol and sugar, it will choose detox first, which can subsequently cause your blood sugar to drop. 

So, drinking alcohol can cause an initial spike in blood sugar, followed by a sharp decrease. That can be dangerous for people with type 2 diabetes (especially those on medications like insulin and sulfonylureas) because the symptoms of both hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and drunkenness can feel similar: disorientation, shakiness, difficulty concentrating, headache, etc.

Drinking alcohol can also be dangerous for people taking Ozempic, because many of the symptoms of drunkenness and Ozempic can exacerbate one another.

‍Potential side effects of drinking on Ozempic

Ozempic and alcohol can trigger similar side effects. Combining the two, then, may increase your risk of these side effects and possibly make them worse. Here are some potential side effects if you drink on Ozempic:

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

If you have diabetes and use Ozempic, consuming alcohol can increase your risk of hypoglycemia, or very low blood sugar.

Digestive issues and dehydration

Both Ozempic and alcohol can cause digestive symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, nausea and vomiting. Combining the two may make these unpleasant side effects worse. Additionally, these digestive issues can lead to dehydration, which can in turn lead to other symptoms, like headaches..  

Higher hangover risk

Ozempic slows how quickly food moves through your stomach, which can cause food and alcohol to stay in your stomach longer than usual. This dynamic combined with Ozempic effects on your blood sugar can increase your risk of developing a hangover after imbibing.

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis—inflammation of the pancreas—is another possible side effect of Ozempic. Long-term or heavy alcohol use can also increase your risk of pancreatitis.

Kidney damage

Kidney damage is a rare, but possible, side effect of alcohol and Ozempic. Being dehydrated can increase this risk even more.

Is alcohol safe if you have type 2 diabetes?

At Virta Health, we generally recommend avoiding or limiting alcohol if your goal is to reverse your diabetes.

Interestingly, Ozempic may reduce alcohol consumption in some people. While more research is needed, a new study found that GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic may reduce alcohol consumption in people with alcohol use disorder.

That said, if you choose to drink, follow these tips:

• Check with your endocrinologist or primary care provider first to see if it’s safe for you to drink.
• Don’t drink on an empty stomach or when you have low blood sugar.
• Set limits based on your conversation with your healthcare provider and watch your portion sizes. One serving of alcohol equals 1.5 ounces of liquor, 5 ounces of wine or 12 ounces of beer.
• Avoid sweet wines and sugary cocktail mixers like soda, juice and tonic, which can contain sugar.
• Stay hydrated by drinking at least one glass of water for every alcoholic beverage you consume.
• Always have a safe way to get home—never drink and drive.

The takeaway

If you have type 2 diabetes and take Ozempic, it’s essential to talk to your doctor to determine if it’s safe for you to consume alcohol.

If you are trying to lose weight and want to live a healthier lifestyle, Virta Health may be able to help. By making healthy lifestyle changes in a medical setting with supportive resources like 1:1 virtual coaching, you can regain control of your health and feel like yourself again. See if you’re eligible for Virta Health here.

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