Mounjaro and Alcohol: Can You Drink On Mounjaro?

If you're considering treatment for weight loss or weight management, you may already be making proactive, positive changes to your lifestyle. From diet to daily movement, even the smallest of adjustments can have a real impact on your health journey's long-term success.

So, what about alcohol? Is it safe to drink while taking weight loss medications like Mounjaro? And how could it affect your results?

In this article, we'll walk you through what you need to know about drinking alcohol while taking Mounjaro.

Article summary

• You can still drink alcohol while taking Mounjaro. If you have another health condition, or take other medicines that alcohol can affect, it's worth checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.
• However, alcohol may slow your progress and make side effects like nausea or headaches worse.
• Enjoying a drink now and then is all about moderation. To support your health, try to stay within the NHS guidelines of no more than 14 units a week, spread over 3 or more days.

Can you drink alcohol on Mounjaro?

Yes, you can drink alcohol while taking Mounjaro. There's no medical or clinical reason the two can't be used together, as long as you don't have any other health conditions or take other medications that may be affected by alcohol. If in doubt, it's always worth checking with a trusted healthcare professional.

However, drinking alcohol may affect you differently while taking Mounjaro (we’ll explore how in more detail later in this article). It's also important to understand the impact that drinking may have on your weight loss journey.

How does alcohol interact with Mounjaro?

You can drink alcohol while taking Mounjaro, but here's what to know.

Alcohol and blood sugar

If you have type 2 diabetes and are taking Mounjaro, drinking alcohol may make your blood sugar harder to manage. It could also increase the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia), especially if you also use insulin or a sulphonylurea. [1-3] However, direct evidence on the specific combination of Mounjaro and alcohol is limited.

Alcohol and calorie intake

Alcohol contains a lot of what we call "empty calories", or calories with no nutritional value. [4] In fact, alcohol contains roughly 7 calories per gram: this is nearly as calorie-dense as fat. [5]

For example:

• A standard 175ml glass of 12% wine may contain up to 158 calories
• A pint of 5% strength beer may contain up to 222 calories
• A double measure (50ml) of 40% spirits may contain up to 100 calories [5]

These calories can add up without you noticing. And, if you have more calories than your body needs, it will store the extra energy as fat. [6]

When you drink, your body burns alcohol first before it turns to using carbohydrates and fats as fuel. [7] Over time, this may slow down your weight loss. You don't need to cut alcohol out, but if you do drink, include the calories in your daily allowance to support your health goals.

Alcohol and hunger

Drinking alcohol may make you feel hungrier than usual. It can also make it harder to say no to snacks or a takeaway. [8]

Side effects of alcohol and Mounjaro

Like any medication, Mounjaro is known to cause certain side effects. However, if you choose to drink while taking Mounjaro, some side effects may be more persistent or severe.

The most common side effects of Mounjaro are digestive: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation. [9] Fortunately, these side effects are often mild, and tend to be more intense when you first begin treatment or increase your dose. [10]

However, drinking alcohol while taking Mounjaro may make some of these side effects, like nausea or headaches, feel worse. This is why we recommend limiting alcohol while taking Mounjaro. [11]

Drinking Safely on Mounjaro

So, is Mounjaro safe to take with alcohol? In short, yes, provided that it’s in moderation, you’re aware that it may worsen side effects and alcohol doesn’t interact with any other medications you’re taking.

However, it’s worth noting that UK guidance says no level of drinking is completely risk-free. If you do drink, the NHS recommends no more than 14 units a week, spread over 3 or more days. That's about 6 medium glasses of wine or 6 pints of average-strength beer. [12]

“Enjoying a drink every now and again is a part of many people’s lives. And making room for these moments while taking care of your health is all about balance. Enjoying a drink in moderation can still be part of your routine. Just aim to stay within the NHS guidelines of no more than 14 units a week. 

“By listening to your body and pacing yourself, you can protect your progress and feel your best on your health journey.”

- Dr. Sophie Dix, Head of Medical Affairs, MedExpress

For more information, visit the NHS's dedicated webpage or download the NHS's Drink Free Days app.

Mounjaro and Alcohol FAQs

Does alcohol affect weight loss with Mounjaro?

Yes, alcohol can affect weight loss with Mounjaro. Alcohol is high in calories, and it may make you feel hungrier, so drinking regularly may slow your progress. [5, 8]

That doesn't mean you can't enjoy a drink now and then. It's all about moderation, knowing how alcohol may affect your progress and building habits that work for you.

Remember that during treatment, early weight loss is a good sign: but it’s not the only path to success. Some people respond more gradually than others, and still achieve meaningful weight loss over 6-12 months. [9]

Can Mounjaro suppress cravings for alcohol?

Early research has shown a link between GLP-1 use and a reduction in alcohol consumption. [13, 14] In one study, people with alcohol use disorder and obesity took a low dose of semaglutide (a different type of weight loss medication than Mounjaro) alongside talking therapy for 26 weeks. They reported fewer cravings for alcohol. [15] However, wider research featuring participants who are either occasional or non-heavy drinkers may help us further understand this relationship.

While we're still learning why this might be, current evidence suggests a few factors:

• Less "reward" from drinking: GLP-1 medications act on the parts of the brain that control cravings and reward. They may make drinking feel less rewarding, which could reduce the urge to drink. [16-19]
• Feeling fuller for longer: GLP-1 medications slow down how quickly food and drink leave your stomach, so you may feel like drinking less. [13]

Can Mounjaro affect tolerance to alcohol?

There’s no robust, direct clinical evidence that Mounjaro changes alcohol tolerance.

Does Mounjaro affect hangovers?

Mounjaro might affect hangovers. Alcohol makes you pass urine more, which can leave you dehydrated. [20] Some of Mounjaro's side effects, like being sick or diarrhoea, can also make you lose fluids. [1] Together, these may make hangovers feel worse, but there's no direct evidence at this time. Drinking water before bed and the next morning can help rehydrate you if you’ve been drinking.

Does alcohol affect Mounjaro side effects?

Drinking alcohol while on weight loss medication could potentially make certain side effects of Mounjaro, like nausea and headaches, feel worse. [11] If you're already experiencing side effects from treatment, we would recommend limiting alcohol until these side effects ease.

At MedExpress, we offer online consultations with regular clinical check-ins, and a range of weight loss treatments including Mounjaro Pen, Wegovy Pen, Wegovy Pill and Foundayo. Our team can help you find the right treatment for you.

References

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