Q: Can you drink wine while taking semaglutide to lose weight?—Sally, Toledo, Ohio
A: Many wine drinkers have questions about how alcohol affects their waistline. As injection weight loss drugs (including Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound and others) become more popular, it makes sense to wonder if it’s safe to have a glass of wine while taking them.
What Is Semaglutide?
Semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy) mimics a hormone called glucagon-like peptide 1, which controls the release of insulin, slows stomach emptying, and regulates feelings of fullness and satisfaction after eating. When used for weight loss, semaglutide makes people feel less hungry and eat less. In combination with healthy lifestyle changes, it can be highly effective in helping people lose weight.
Ozempic was approved in 2017 to treat type 2 diabetes (while Ozempic is often prescribed off-label for weight loss, it remains approved for type 2 diabetes only). In 2021, Wegovy, a slightly different formulation of the same drug, was approved for weight loss for people with obesity or people who have health problems related to being overweight. A related drug called tirzepatide (brand name Zepbound) was approved for weight loss in November of this year. These drugs have shown promising results for many people, but scientists are still learning about them—and there’s much we still don’t know about their safety and side effects.
Is It Safe to Mix Semaglutide and Alcohol?
Dr. Asim Shah, professor and executive vice chair of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Baylor College of Medicine, told Wine Spectator that he generally recommends against drinking alcohol when taking any medication. That said, he counsels that much depends on the type (wine may be a better choice than hard liquor) and amount consumed (one glass is probably best). He cautions that the recommended amount of safe consumption for women is just half the amount for men—seven drinks a week compared to 14, per current U.S. alcohol guidelines.
Dr. Vijaya Surampudi, assistant director of the UCLA Weight Management Program, says that while semaglutide and related drugs “are not known to interact with alcohol ... [they] may increase the risk of low blood glucose.” This risk may be exacerbated in people with diabetes who choose to drink while taking semaglutide.
While scientists are still learning about semaglutide and related drugs, there are no specific warnings about consuming alcohol while taking them. That said, alcohol could exacerbate some side effects (particularly gastrointestinal problems) and make it harder to lose weight.
Can Alcohol Make Semaglutide Less Effective?
Though moderate drinking while on semaglutide and related drugs likely isn’t dangerous, it could make it harder for some people to achieve the weight loss they desire. There’s some evidence that moderate drinking—especially drinking wine with meals—can actually aid weight loss, but it’s also true that wine contains calories. As Dr. Shah explains, “alcohol can cause weight gain” because it can inhibit fat metabolism, is relatively caloric and can make people feel hungry.
Dr. Surampudi adds that while we don’t know of any direct interaction between alcohol and semaglutide that makes the drug less effective, “drinking too much alcohol in general can slow weight loss efforts.” Since alcohol “can lower inhibitions” and lead to overeating, it may make it harder for some people to achieve their weight loss goals, especially at higher levels of consumption.
Could Semaglutide Make You Want to Drink Less?
One of the most common side effects of semaglutide is reduced enjoyment of certain pleasurable behaviors. Dr. Shah says semaglutide interferes with the brain’s reward center by reducing the “surge of dopamine” normally associated with some activities (including drinking alcohol and eating sweet, salty or fatty foods). The drug’s ability to reduce these behaviors has led researchers to explore it as a tool for people trying to stop smoking, using drugs or drinking heavily. For people taking semaglutide for diabetes or weight loss, however, this side effect can mean that their desire to drink, even moderately, is diminished.
As always, ask your healthcare professional about incorporating wine into a healthy lifestyle.—Kenny Martin
