Is It Secure To Drink Alcohol on Ozempic? Right here’s What the Analysis Says

Ozempic (semaglutide) has develop into a preferred treatment used to deal with kind 2 diabetes and assist with weight reduction. Some folks could also be involved about whether or not the treatment interacts with alcohol. There have additionally been stories of Ozempic decreasing cravings for alcohol. You might not have to keep away from alcohol whereas taking Ozempic, however there are specific dangers and unwanted effects to think about.

Typically, consuming alcohol whereas utilizing Ozempic is protected. Ozempic impacts digestion by slowing down how rapidly meals leaves your abdomen. This causes you to really feel fuller quicker and for longer. It may possibly additionally elevate your danger for nausea, vomiting, and abdomen ache.

Alcohol also can trigger these signs, so utilizing each collectively could make them worse. Alcohol additionally impacts your blood sugar ranges and may result in different unwanted effects that Ozempic could make worse.

Having one to 2 drinks whereas utilizing Ozempic shouldn’t be a difficulty. In the event you drink extra alcohol for an extended period of time, your danger for unwanted effects could also be larger.

Ozempic doesn’t immediately work together with alcohol, so it’s technically protected to take each. Nevertheless, each Ozempic and alcohol affect your physique and may not directly have an effect on one another. These unwanted effects can vary from gentle to extreme, and will embody:

Elevated digestive signs: Alcohol can irritate your abdomen and decelerate how briskly your abdomen empties. Ozempic additionally slows how briskly your abdomen empties (which is why it makes you are feeling fuller longer). This may result in digestive signs like upset abdomen, nausea, and vomiting. Utilizing alcohol and Ozempic collectively could make these unwanted effects extra possible and worse.
Too-low blood sugar: Ozempic can decrease your blood sugar. Alcohol additionally lowers your blood sugar, possible as a result of the liver must work to interrupt it down. So, consuming alcohol whereas taking Ozempic can elevate your danger for hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). That is particularly harmful when you have diabetes or are taking different drugs that may decrease your blood sugar.
Greater danger for pancreatitis: Pancreatitis is the irritation of the pancreas. Each Ozempic and heavy alcohol use can elevate your danger for pancreatitis. Ozempic causes the pancreas to make extra insulin, which may result in irritation. Alcohol can have an effect on your pancreas by creating stones that block the openings of the pancreas and trigger irritation.
Greater danger for kidney harm: Heavy alcohol use and Ozempic also can elevate your danger for kidney harm. The chance is even larger in case you are dehydrated.
Decreased weight reduction results: Though this isn’t an interplay, alcohol could cause weight acquire. In case you are utilizing Ozempic for weight reduction, consuming alcohol could offset your outcomes.

Aspect impact dangers are larger if you first begin Ozempic and if you elevate your dose. In the event you take the treatment constantly as prescribed, the unwanted effects ought to get higher over time.

Individuals taking Ozempic have reported a decrease need to drink alcohol whereas utilizing the treatment. This has led researchers to consider the treatment could also be helpful for folks with alcohol use dysfunction (AUD). AUD is outlined as sturdy cravings for alcohol, which may trigger unfavourable feelings and result in a lack of management when managing your alcohol consumption.

A 2024 examine discovered that individuals taking Ozempic for weight problems or kind 2 diabetes reported consuming much less alcohol. This occurred in each individuals who drank alcohol sometimes and folks with a historical past of AUD.

The way in which Ozempic impacts alcohol cravings will not be nicely understood. Nevertheless, it possible entails dopamine, your mind’s “reward” hormone. Ozempic and different glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) drugs have an effect on dopamine ranges in your mind. This might help you may have fewer meals cravings and really feel extra full or glad after consuming.

Researchers recommend GLP-1s play the identical function with addictive substances, like alcohol. Once you drink alcohol, dopamine is launched in your mind, making you are feeling good or pleased. Ozempic could block or decrease the impact of this dopamine launch. This implies it’s possible you’ll not have the identical feel-good impact after consuming alcohol, making you need to drink much less.

Extra research are wanted to know Ozempic’s function in alcohol use and cravings and whether or not it’s a potential therapy possibility for AUD.

In case you are involved about your alcohol use, discuss with a healthcare supplier. They might help you identify how alcohol could also be affecting your well being. They’ll additionally see if alcohol is interacting with any drugs it’s possible you’ll be taking.

In case you are taking Ozempic, let your healthcare supplier learn about your alcohol use and any unwanted effects it’s possible you’ll be experiencing usually. Observe their recommendation on what number of drinks are protected so that you can eat each day.

Keep away from consuming alcohol on an empty abdomen to decrease your danger for low blood sugar. In case you have considerations about low blood sugar, you’ll want to monitor your blood sugar ranges when you are consuming alcohol. Not consuming on an empty abdomen also can decrease your danger for abdomen irritation, decreasing the probability of unwanted effects like nausea and abdomen ache.

Ozempic doesn’t immediately work together with alcohol, so it’s technically protected to take each. Nevertheless, Ozempic and alcohol can have comparable results on digestion, blood sugar, and irritation. This may result in worsened unwanted effects like nausea and vomiting in addition to elevated dangers for low blood sugar, pancreatitis, and kidney harm.

There have been some stories of Ozempic decreasing cravings for alcohol, which can make the drug helpful for folks with alcohol use dysfunction.

Discuss together with your physician in case you are utilizing Ozempic and likewise consuming alcohol merchandise. They’ll present suggestions on how protected it’s so that you can drink with the treatment.