So you can't get drunk on Ozempic, Wegovy, or Saxenda?

As GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Saxenda, and Mounjaro become more widely used, people are reporting that they aren’t getting the same buzz they used to from alcohol. But is this a known issue? Is there anything that we can learn from it? We spoke with Dr. Yael Cooperman, MD about GLP-1 medications, their interactions with alcohol, and what you need to know.

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While Reddit isn’t exactly a data collection system for scientific research, the anecdotes popping up there about Ozempic and alcohol are worth a second look. Patients are reporting that the same amount of alcohol that used to get them drunk isn’t even giving them a buzz since they started using Ozempic or drugs like it. 

Research around GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Saxenda, and Mounjaro and how they might be affected by alcohol has revealed that the drugs may reduce a person’s desire to drink, sparking a flurry of research into whether these drugs might be able to be used as anti-addiction medication in the future. The drugs’ manufacturers have also reported that using medications like Ozempic while drinking alcohol can result in dangerously low blood sugar. 

Some higher-level research has even revealed that drugs in the GLP-1 receptor agonist class might tamp down the reward pathways in the brain, offering one possible explanation for why people don’t enjoy their drinks as much. But it doesn’t quite bridge the gap to explain why they don’t get drunk. 

One thing that might play a role here is genetics. Many people report the same tolerance to alcohol they had before using the medication, indicating that the drug isn’t affecting everyone the same way. And we know that genetic variations in the GLP-1 receptors (which are targeted by drugs like Wegovy, Ozempic, Saxenda, and Mounjaro) are actually associated with alcohol use disorders and even the amount of alcohol on your breath when you drink. There’s definitely more room for research, but these studied variations give us a glimpse into why these drugs might affect alcohol intake differently for different people. 

When you consume alcohol, your body has a special pathway for breaking it down. If GLP-1 drugs speed up that pathway, it would result in a lower level of intoxicating substances in the bloodstream, meaning less alcohol would reach your brain and you wouldn’t feel drunk from the same quantity of spirits. But there doesn’t seem to be any significant research right now confirming that theory. 

In general, upping your alcohol intake to make up for the lack of a buzz is probably not the answer. First off, alcohol is calorie-rich, so if your objective is to use these medications to regulate and manage your weight, they’re best avoided. Second, as we mentioned earlier, there’s evidence that alcohol can increase the blood sugar-lowering effects of these drugs, which can result in dangerously low blood sugar, called hypoglycemia. In some cases, hypoglycemia can cause dizziness and irritability. In extreme cases, it can cause loss of consciousness and even death. 

To get personally tailored advice about alcohol and Ozempic, Wegovy, Moujaro, or Saxenda, speak with your prescribing doctor. 

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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

November 29, 2023

Written by

Health Guide Team

Fact checked by

Yael Cooperman, MD

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About the medical reviewer

Yael Cooperman, MD, Ro

Yael Cooperman is a physician and works as a Senior Manager, Medical Content & Education at Ro.