Can you drink alcohol on Wegovy?

We spoke with Dr. Yael Cooperman, MD about whether people using Wegovy can drink alcohol. 

There’s no direct interaction between Wegovy (semaglutide) and alcohol or any contraindication to consuming alcohol while using Wegovy according to the drug manufacturer. So while an occasional glass of wine or a beer is probably fine for people using the medication, there are a still few things to consider. First, alcohol can affect your blood sugar levels (either raising or lowering them), so if you have diabetes, you might want to opt for non-alcoholic beverages until your blood sugar is under control and stable on your new regimen. Another thing to consider is that if you’re using Wegovy for weight management, alcohol contains quite a few calories and can be a seemingly invisible contributor to your daily calorie count, possibly stymying weight loss. 

Finally, if you have a history of pancreatitis or excessive alcohol consumption/alcohol misuse, you may have an increased risk of further problems with your pancreas if you’re using Wegovy. No matter what, your best bet is to speak with your healthcare provider who knows your medical history and what––if any––additional medications you’re taking, to determine whether or not drinking alcohol is okay when using Wegovy.

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How we reviewed this article

Every article on Health Guide goes through rigorous fact-checking by our team of medical reviewers. Our reviewers are trained medical professionals who ensure each article contains the most up-to-date information, and that medical details have been correctly interpreted by the writer.

Current version

August 25, 2023

Written by

Yael Cooperman, MD

Fact checked by

Felix Gussone, MD

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About the medical reviewer

Felix Gussone, MD, Ro

Felix Gussone is a physician, health journalist and a Manager, Medical Content & Education at Ro.