Mounjaro and Alcohol: Safe Drinking Practices Explained

Can You Drink Alcohol While on Mounjaro?

Alcohol can be taken while you are using Mounjaro as long as you follow some protocols to stay safe. There is no evidence of a reaction when taking both. It just happens that some side effects can be triggered while you’re taking them. You may be in an uncomfortable situation, experiencing nausea and blood sugar fluctuation. It can also affect the progress of your weight loss.

If you are taking Mounjaro, consulting your doctor is the best thing you can do before you decide to drink alcohol.

 

What is Mounjaro?

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) comes in the form of an injection and is mainly used to manage type 2 diabetes and weight loss in individuals with obesity or overweight. It is in the category of medication known as a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist, where a medication acts as a mimic of two natural hormones and helps with blood sugar levels and the sense of satiety.

This innovative approach makes Mounjaro at the forefront of the modern therapeutic practice in metabolic disorders, providing patients with the opportunity to achieve much better blood glucose levels and a decrease in body weight.

 

How It Works

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is an oral medication used to treat type 2 diabetes by imitating the two important gut hormones, GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide), which play a big role in regulating blood sugar in the body.

After we eat, our body releases glucose. Mounjaro can help control blood sugar levels because when the glucose tends to become high, the drug enhances the release of insulin in our body. It can also slow down stomach emptying after we eat, which prevents the tendency to have high levels of blood sugar.

 

For Weight Loss

Mounjaro controls appetite and stomach digestion by mimicking the GLP-1 and GIP hormones to make you feel that you have eaten enough. Most mounjaro users create a feeling that they don’t want to eat a lot of fatty foods or carbohydrates. Mounjaro can make you feel full longer because it can slow down digestion or the emptying of your stomach after you have eaten. The food you eat every day decreases because of that effect. That’s how Mounjaro works in the body. The reason why your weight reduces.

 

Can You Drink Alcohol While on Mounjaro?

Is It Safe?

There is no way that alcohol acts on Mounjaro inside your body. That’s why you may still drink alcohol if you want to. But, you have to be aware that Mounjaro is created to lower blood sugar levels, and alcohol has the same effect. You might end up having the risk of hypoglycaemia or low blood sugar levels. Mounjaro and alcohol also share the same side effects, like:

• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Impaired judgement

These side effects show in Mounjaro users because of the effect on gastric emptying, and in alcohol because it makes you dehydrated and lowers your blood sugar level. Check the reaction of your body after a few drinks before consuming more. And best of all, do not drink without taking your meal.

 

UK Guidelines on Alcohol Consumption

There is a recommendation from the NHS that the units of alcohol each individual can consume should not be more than 14 units. Alcohol and drugs can affect blood glucose when you take them together. Hypoglycaemia and dehydration can develop, especially when going along with side effects of Mounjaro such as nausea or diarrhoea.

While taking Mounjaro, patients must never drink alcohol frequently without first checking in with their GP or diabetes care team.

To put it in perspective:

• 1 pint of beer (5% ABV) = ~23 units
• 175 ml of glass of wine (13% ABV) = ~2.3 units
• Single measure of spirits (2ml, 40% ABV) = ~1unit

 

Reddit and Patient Experience

Patient forums like Reddit show different patients’ experiences. According to some users of Mounjaro, they experience no problem with a little alcohol, and others complain of nausea, being slowed down by the hangover, or exaggerated effects of alcohol compared to the previous experience. Most of the Mounjaro users have the experience of getting drunk easily in 1 to 2 drinks only. They also suffer problems in their digestive tract the following day.

“I usually binge drink and am still able to get home. After taking Mounjaro for a while, I get drunk easily after just one drink.” –u/maelyn589

“ I am a habitual drinker, but recently I stopped. I don’t even think or crave alcohol” Mounjaro user here.”-u/blue_lagoon 471

 

Potential Risks of Combining Mounjaro and Alcohol

Alcohol will not interfere with the effect of Mounjaro, but taking them both can lead to fluctuation of blood sugar levels. This can be dangerous for people with diabetes or those who are taking other blood sugar medications because they may suffer hypoglycaemia. You should always check the level of your blood sugar before and after drinking alcohol. Avoid drinking on an empty stomach.

 

Gastrointestinal Side Effects

Mounjaro is accompanied by the usual side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain. These can be worsened when you drink alcohol because the drug slows down the gastric emptying. Having both of them will make the symptoms worse.

 

Dehydration and Fatigue

Dehydration is one of the main effects when you drink alcohol. Side effects of Mounjaro (nausea and vomiting) can contribute more to that effect. Your body may become weak, and you may also develop kidney problems in the future. Drinking a lot of water is important when alcohol is taken.

 

Impact on Weight Loss

Alcohol also constitutes empty calories, i.e., it has little or no health value, but it is a source of extra calories. Even a couple of drinks a week are fast to quickly accumulate and stop any weight loss progress.

Additionally, alcohol makes a person overeat or abandon healthy habits by lowering inhibitions, and that’s a challenge for someone in a weight loss process.

 

Mounjaro and Alcohol Cravings

How GLP-1 Medications Affect Cravings

Glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) receptor agonists such as semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) are reputed to curb the appetite by imitating the signals sent by the gut hormone, which slows digestion and increases the sensation of satiety. However, the new studies indicate that their effects go further and involve the mitigation of alcohol and other drug desire by engaging the brain reward system.

Several clinical trials and observational studies report some interesting effects:

• In a randomised controlled trial, it was determined that those using low-dose semaglutide had a reduction in their alcohol intake of around 30 to 40% with a decreased report of cravings.
• A review of GLP-1 RAs came up that some Mounjaro users have lessened their longing for alcohol.
• A comprehensive translational study confirmed that the inhibited GLP-1 receptor agonist (not the DPP-4 inhibitor) may control addiction.

 

Emerging Research on Addiction

Clinical trials are still in review to determine if GLP-1 can be used to treat addiction. The mechanisms are similar to most studies, though most studies are more focused on semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy).

As an example, a 2024 review in The Times noted the possible repurposing of GLP-1 drugs to aid in the recovery from addiction. In animal models, there is a better reduction of alcohol intake. They are now also studying this in humans.

Tirzepatide is not yet approved to treat cravings for alcohol as of this writing. Gathering more evidence is needed.

 

Safe Drinking Practices While on Mounjaro

Recommended Alcohol Types

Choose alcohol that is lower in calories and sugar if you still want to drink while you are taking Mounjaro. This will help minimise the effect in your blood sugar and lessen the calories that get into your body.

Example of low-calorie and sugar-free beverages:

• Dry white wine
• Light beer
• Vodka with soda, water, and lemon
• Gin and slimline tonic

To add safety:

• Drink lots of water because alcohol can contribute to dehydration.
• Eat a meal before you drink.
• Have a space of 1 to 3 days after your Mounjaro before you consume alcohol.
• Check your body’s reaction after 1 to 2 drinks before you continue.

 

Portion Control Tips

The tips we can add up are to drink occasionally. One to two drinks is enough. Doing this will help reduce those side effects that can be worsened when you take Mounjaro and alcohol. Those side effects are nausea and low blood sugar.

Avoid drinking when you have not taken a meal. The food that you will take will protect you from getting low blood pressure and getting drunk easily.

Remember that alcohol has no calories, making you lose weight can he harder for Mounjaro.

 

Timing Your Drinks

Your body’s reactions regarding alcohol consumption can be affected due to the time that you take Mounjaro injections and meals.

Good practices entail:

• Waiting for some time after the injection to have a drink (at least several hours)
• Not taking the drink without food in the stomach.
• Slowly drink and monitor the reaction of your body.

 

Conclusion

• Mounjaro does not seem to interact directly with alcohol. However, the side effects tend to become worse if you drink Mounjaro and alcohol at the same time.
• The side effects you will experience, such as nausea, dehydration, and low blood sugar, can worsen if you drink alcohol together with Mounjaro. Your weight loss can be affected as well.
• UK recommendations are to avoid more than 14 units of alcohol per week, in particular preferably distributed and accompanied by food.
• Other patients state that they have less desire to drink alcohol when under Mounjaro treatment, and this might become an emerging side effect.
• Drink only those with a light percentage of alcohol. Drink lots of water and take note of your body’s reaction.

 

Final Thoughts on Mounjaro and Alcohol

Alcohol should be consumed in moderation when you are taking Mounjaro. You can have an occasional drink, but avoid too much of it because it can affect not just your healt but your treatment as well.

Talk to your prescribing clinician or GP every time to seek individual advice. Always be the first one to seek safety and success on Mounjaro.

 

FAQs

• Can I drink alcohol while taking Mounjaro?

Yes, although it is better to regulate the consumption and talk to your healthcare provider.

• Does alcohol affect Mounjaro’s effectiveness?

Alcohol may elevate the number of side effects and prevent the progress of weight loss.

• Are there specific guidelines for alcohol consumption on Mounjaro?

Consider the recommendations of the Chief Medical Officers that no more than 14 units of alcohol per week.

• Can Mounjaro reduce alcohol cravings?

Most Mounjaro users are experiencing the effect of not wanting to eat a lot of sweet and fatty foods because of the effect of the drugs on them. It still needs more research to prove this claim.

• What are safe drinking practices while on Mounjaro?

Drink in moderation. Avoid those with high-calorie content. Eat first before taking alcohol.