Navigating the balance between enjoying a drink and managing your health while on Mounjaro is crucial, especially as the medication gains popularity. While the interaction between Mounjaro and alcohol isn't thoroughly researched yet, it's essential to consider potential factors that may impact your weight loss journey. Medication manufacturers recommend that people taking GLP-1 agonists either limit alcohol consumption or abstain from alcohol entirely.
While some individuals may find that a little alcohol consumption alongside Mounjaro doesn't result in serious side effects, it's always best to consult with a healthcare provider beforehand.
Remember, Mounjaro remains in your system for about a week after each injection, as it's administered weekly. So, even if you refrain from drinking alcohol on the day of your injection, it's important to recognize that it may not ensure complete safety.
The exciting news is that recent studies have shown that Semaglutide and Tirzepatide medications such as Mounjaro may actually help people to reduce their alcohol intake by reducing alcohol cravings and the desire to drink alcohol.
In this article, we'll explore the potential risks and considerations associated with alcohol consumption alongside Mounjaro.
Potential Side Effects of Drinking Alcohol on Mounjaro:
- Decreased efficacy: Alcohol consumption may interfere with the effectiveness of Wegovy or Mounjaro in achieving desired outcomes, meaning that your weight loss goals may not be achieved as quickly.
- Increased side effects: Combining alcohol with medication can heighten side effects or adverse reactions, leading to discomfort or health complications. Read more about Mounjaro side effects here.
- Liver function: Both alcohol and certain medications, including Mounjaro, can affect liver function. Concurrent use may exacerbate liver-related issues or impair medication metabolism.
- Reduced Inhibition: When you have had a drink, your decisions are less thought out which may lead to behaviours that are unsupportive of your weight loss journey such as excess snacking or consuming foods that don’t align with your weight loss plan.
- Increased calorie intake: Alcohol is calorie-dense, containing 7 calories per gram, which can significantly contribute to overall calorie consumption. However, despite its caloric content, alcohol doesn't provide the same feeling of fullness or satiety as solid foods which may undermine weight loss efforts or exacerbate overeating tendencies.
- Reduced exercise: Consuming alcohol may lead to you feeling tired and groggy the next day, and who wants to workout with a hangover! This could negatively impact your routine and weight loss success.
- Increased physical discomfort: As Mounjaro works by slowing your digestion, the consumption of lots of calories in one go may cause gastrointestinal issues like bloating, heartburn or constipation.
Read more: Switching from Wegovy to Mounjaro: How To Guide for Patients
Considerations for Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes:
Individuals with type 2 diabetes are advised to be cautious when consuming alcohol alongside Mounjaro. Normally, your liver is involved in regulating blood sugar levels by releasing glucose. However, when you consume alcohol your liver changes its priority and works to process alcohol instead, so glucose isn’t released. Both Mounjaro and alcohol can lower blood sugar levels, so there is a heightened risk of experiencing hypoglycemia.
Alcohol may also cause heightened blood sugar levels as drinks such as beer and cocktails often contain high levels of sugar and carbohydrates. This can cause a temporary increase in blood sugar levels. Over time, the calories consumed from alcohol are stored as fat in the liver, leading to insulin resistance in liver cells and a gradual rise in blood sugar levels.
Read more: Where Can I Buy Mounjaro in the UK Safely?
Guidelines for Safe Consumption:
While definitive guidelines regarding alcohol consumption with Mounjaro are lacking, it's advisable to exercise caution and adhere to general recommendations:
- Speak to your eMed Clinician: Before consuming alcohol while taking these medications, consult with your Clinician to assess potential risks and receive personalised advice.
- Stick to Moderation: If alcohol consumption is deemed acceptable, consume it in moderation and enjoy it rather than taking it too far. Limit intake to recommended levels and avoid excessive or binge drinking.
- Monitor Your Symptoms: Pay attention to any changes in symptoms or side effects while consuming alcohol alongside medication. Report any concerns promptly to your healthcare provider.
- Consider Why You’re Drinking: Drinking alcohol can provide stress relief or help us feel more confident in social situations. If you do fancy a drink, consider why this might be and think about whether there are alternative behaviours you can engage in to help yourself feel better.
For the best results with Mounjaro, it's advised to avoid combining them with alcohol. Alcohol consumption is likely to heighten the risk of side effects and reduce the effectiveness of Mounjaro.
We recognise that reducing alcohol consumption can be challenging for some individuals, so it's important to seek support if needed. If you're finding it difficult to cut down on alcohol, book an appointment with your eMed GP to explore the help and support on offer to reduce your alcohol intake.
Read more: eMed Weight Management Programme
