Ozempic and Alcohol
Ozempic is an FDA-regulated medication patients use to lose weight. The medication slows digestion and engages areas of the brain that control appetite. These effects lead patients to eat smaller portions and avoid snacking between meals. The resulting reduction in calories creates a deficit that induces the body to burn fat for energy.
Ozempic has a proven track record of success. The medication is most effective as part of a medically managed weight loss program that combines oversight from a skilled doctor with a support system that guides patients’ dietary choices and exercise.
Learning about how alcohol affects the body of an Ozempic user is vital to safely and effectively using the drug.
Can You Drink Alcohol on Ozempic?
Reducing alcohol use to just one or two drinks per day or abstaining altogether is the best approach for patients using Ozempic.
Alcohol, even in moderation, affects blood sugar levels and digestion. Drinking while taking Ozempic can cause blood sugar levels to spike or fall, possibly leading to hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. Those who consume alcohol while taking the medication should avoid drinking on an empty stomach or after physical exertion because it could cause a sharp drop in blood sugar.
Alcohol also slows gastric emptying. The combined effect of the medication and alcohol can exacerbate the gastric side effects of Ozempic, including bloating, nausea, and abdominal discomfort. The more pronounced side effects are, the harder it will be to continue using the medication.
Alcohol also dehydrates the body. Maintaining proper hydration is essential to healthy digestion. Hydrating is even more important for patients taking Ozempic due to its effect on the rate of their digestion.
Does Ozempic Curb Alcohol Cravings?
Anecdotal evidence suggests that semaglutide may help patients reduce their cravings for alcohol. Studies are still ongoing, but some researchers speculate that drugs like Ozempic have potential as treatments for substance addiction. They hypothesize that GLP-1 agonists, which is the family of medications Ozempic belongs to, may disrupt the brain signaling that rewards drinking and creates cravings.
One 2023 study found that semaglutide reduced binge drinking behavior in mice and rats. There are also anecdotal reports that Ozempic can help patients control compulsive behaviors, including shopping and gambling. These patient accounts are leading researchers to investigate the broader applicability of Ozempic.
Can You Drink Coffee on Ozempic?
Most people who were able to tolerate coffee and caffeine before taking Ozempic can continue drinking coffee once they begin taking the drug. Some people may experience gastric distress or heartburn from coffee, though. This is why it’s important to monitor yourself and reduce or suspend your coffee consumption if you find it’s causing adverse digestive effects.
Coffee drinkers who experience side effects with Ozempic can consider switching to decaffeinated coffee because the caffeine may be responsible for their gastric distress.
Patients who drink coffee while taking Ozempic should also be mindful of what they add to their beverages. Sweeteners and creamers can be high in sugar and fat, which can lead to gastric discomfort for many people.
Caffeine is also a diuretic. Properly hydrating while taking Ozempic is essential for your health and can help reduce the extent and severity of the drug’s digestive side effects.
Other Foods to Avoid on Ozempic
Dieticians advise patients taking Ozempic to avoid processed and high-fat foods, including fast food and red meat. These foods can slow digestion and induce nausea and bloating by making food remain in the stomach longer.
Sugary foods, including soda and other processed snack foods, feature simple carbohydrates that can spike blood sugar. These foods also lack nutritional value. The best Ozempic diets feature lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables.
Patients should also avoid corn, potatoes, and other starchy vegetables because they are high in sugar and difficult to digest. These foods lack nutritional value beyond their calorie count and may exacerbate gassiness and irritate the digestive tract as they move through the body.
Finally, carbonated beverages contain gas that can provoke gastric distress and adversely affect digestion, leading to bloating and discomfort.
Self-monitoring and eliminating other foods that upset your stomach are essential for anyone taking Ozempic. While general guidelines exist, everyone’s body differs, and even recommended foods can provoke effects in different people.
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Can You Drink Alcohol While Taking Ozempic? 5 Things to Consider Before You Do
https://www.goodrx.com/ozempic/ozempic-and-alcohol#:~:text=There's%20no%20direct%20interaction%20between,not%20be%20a%20big%20deal. -
The Role of Alcohol Use in Dyspepsia
https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2000/0615/p3564.html -
The glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue semaglutide reduces alcohol drinking and modulates central GABA neurotransmission
https://insight.jci.org/articles/view/170671#SEC3 -
Ozempic: Best and Worst Foods to Eat While Taking Weight Loss Drugs
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/ozempic-best-and-worst-foods-to-eat-while-taking-weight-loss-drugs#Foods-to-avoid-on-Ozempic,-Wegovy,-and-similar-drugs
November 14, 2023
Written By
Dr. Avidon Appel
Fact-checked By
Dr. Avidon Appel
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