Can You Drink Alcohol on Wegovy?

Wegovy Side Effects

Like all medications, Wegovy does carry a risk of side effects. Most of these side effects are mild and will just cause some discomfort. However, you should be aware of possible serious side effects, and what to do if you experience them.

Common Side Effects of Wegovy

The most common side effects to experience are nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal pain, weakness and fatigue. These side effects typically go away after your body becomes used to the medicine. For a full list of side effects, please read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medication.

What Side Effects Do I Need to Watch Out For on Wegovy?

Up to 1 in 100 people can develop an inflamed pancreas (acute pancreatitis) when taking Wegovy. This can present as severe and persistent pain in your stomach, that may move towards your back. You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience this.

In rare cases, people have experienced a severe allergic reaction to Wegovy called anaphylaxis. This happens in less than 0.1% of people. You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience breathing difficulties, swelling of the face, lips, throat or tongue, or wheezing.

Do not take Wegovy if you have experienced an allergic reaction to semaglutide or any of the other listed ingredients. Always let the prescribing doctor or pharmacist know of any allergic reactions you have experienced from previous medications.

If you are diabetic, you should be aware that Wegovy is associated with additional complications. Up to 10% of people may experience complications of diabetic eye disease (diabetic retinopathy). If you have diabetes, you should inform your doctor if you experience changes in your vision or other eye problems whilst taking Wegovy.

The active ingredient in Wegovy, semaglutide, was originally developed as a diabetes medication. For this reason, Wegovy can cause hypoglycaemia. Hypoglycaemia can present with the following symptoms;

• • headache

• • racing heartbeat

• • nausea

• • visual changes

• • fatigue

• • weakness

• • confusion

• • anxiety

• • cold sweat

• • shaking

• • difficulty concentrating

• • cold pale skin

Before starting Wegovy, speak to your doctor. They may wish to adjust the doses of your diabetes medication if required. They can also discuss what you should do if you notice any of the symptoms of hypoglycaemia.

Wegovy Side Effects with Alcohol

As with any medication, there is an interest in alcohol’s effects on Wegovy. It is recommended that you avoid drinking alcohol when taking Wegovy. Alcohol consumption on Wegovy may reduce its effectiveness and increase the risk of side effects. If you are diabetic, there is an increased risk of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) and hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar) if you combine Wegovy with alcohol.

Some of the side effects of Wegovy are similar to the effects of drinking too much alcohol. Acid reflux, feeling sick, vomiting, dizziness, tiredness and headaches are all common side effects of Wegovy. These can be made worse by consuming alcohol.

You should also be aware that Wegovy may increase the effects of alcohol on your body. As it affects digestion, Wegovy interacts with how you absorb and process what you eat and drink.

Be aware that this may further impair your ability to drive, even if you have drank very little alcohol. If you are going to drink on Wegovy, you should try to limit your alcohol intake. One drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men is the recommended maximum.

If you are diabetic, drinking alcohol on Wegovy can cause hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia. You should avoid drinking alcohol on Wegovy if your blood sugar levels are not well controlled, or if you have neuropathy (nerve damage), pancreatitis (inflamed pancreas) or high triglyceride levels (a type of fat in your blood).

Guidelines suggest that you may be able to drink a moderate amount of alcohol on Wegovy if your diabetes is well-controlled. This comes in at one drink for women and two drinks for men per day. You should also avoid drinking alcohol on an empty stomach or after exercise. These may increase your chances of developing hypoglycaemia. For further advice, please speak to your doctor.

Will Wegovy Still Work If You Drink Alcohol?

Whilst you may be able to have a drink on Wegovy, it is not recommended. As outlined above, it can cause side effects and make you drink more quickly. In addition, you should be aware that alcohol may counteract some of the effects of Wegovy.

Alcohol contains a lot of calories, calories can cause weight gain. If you are taking Wegovy to lose weight, it is recommended that you combine Wegovy with a low-calorie diet. Alcohol will work against dietary changes, increasing your calorie intake and making it harder to lose weight.

In addition, alcohol reduces inhibitions and may even increase your appetite. Many people associate drinking alcohol with eating high-calorie foods like takeaways. These habits can have a negative impact on your weight loss journey.

Summary

• • You should try to avoid drinking alcohol while taking Wegovy. This is particularly important if you have type 2 diabetes.

• • Drinking alcohol on Wegovy can increase your risk of side effects and make you feel more intoxicated.

• • If you cannot abstain from alcohol, try to limit yourself to one drink for women or two drinks for men.

• Be mindful that alcohol is a high-calorie substance and may work against your weight loss goals.