Both alcohol and Ozempic have a risk of pancreatitis and kidney damage. A drink or two every now and then may not be a big deal with Ozempic. But if you combine Ozempic with long-term or heavy alcohol use, you may be at higher risk for two serious complications: pancreatitis and kidney damage.
Can I drink alcohol while using Ozempic? The short answer is yes: you can drink alcohol while taking Ozempic. In the U.S., where Ozempic is created and distributed from, the Food and Drug Administration has not provided any specific disclaimers on mixing Ozempic and alcohol [1].
Side Effects: Diabetes treatments that are used to lose weight, like Ozempic, can have surprising effects, including a reduced desire to drink alcohol.
Ozempic gives alcohol more time to linger in the stomach, and this raises the chances of stomach upset and nausea. Combining alcohol with diabetes medications, including Ozempic, also raises your risk of developing low blood sugar.
So how much (if anything) is safe to drink if you are on Ozempic or metformin? “Generally speaking, it's advisable to limit all alcohol while on these medications. But if you are planning on drinking, limiting yourself to 1 to 2 drinks at most would be the safest thing to do,” says Singh.
If your blood sugar is under control while taking Ozempic, an occasional drink should be fine. Experts recommend one drink for males and two drinks for females. Having more drinks can possibly cause low blood sugar.
Alcohol (Ethanol) semaglutide
Both hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) may occur, depending on how much and how often you drink. You should avoid using alcohol if your diabetes is not well controlled or if you have high triglycerides, neuropathy (nerve damage), or pancreatitis.
How can I maximise my body weight loss on Ozempic? You can assist Ozempic by lowering your overall calorie intake, moving your body where possible and limiting your alcohol consumption.
How Long Can You Stay on Ozempic (semaglutide)? A person can stay on Ozempic® so long as they are tolerating the medication and it is deemed appropriate by their treating provider. There is no specific time frame when someone should stop taking Ozempic as it is a medication that is intended for chronic (long-term) use.
High fat foods or sugary foods
Ozempic can cause nausea and vomiting if taken after eating foods high in fat or sugar. It is recommended that you take Ozempic before meals, rather than after, to minimise any potential side effects from eating high-fat or high-sugar foods.
So, on average, with the recommended starting Ozempic dose of 0.25 mg, a 500 to 1000 calorie reduced diet, and exercise 3 times a week, you can expect to lose 3-5 pounds in the first month of treatment, which works out to about 3% of body weight for most overweight or obese individuals.
Fatigue may be a side effect of Ozempic. It's reported in more than 0.4% of people taking the drug, so it's not common. It's not clear why Ozempic may cause fatigue, but a reduced calorie intake may be to blame. Lower your sleep debt and get in sync with your circadian rhythm to boost your energy levels.
Stop using Ozempic® and get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat; problems breathing or swallowing; severe rash or itching; fainting or feeling dizzy; or very rapid heartbeat.
Will Ozempic or Wegovy reduce belly fat? The answer appears to be yes. That Novo Nordisk-funded study of almost 2,000 overweight or obese adults without diabetes also found their visceral fat — the type that accumulates in the belly — was reduced from baseline with semaglutide, along with their total fat mass.
Ozempic isn't technically a weight loss medication. But it's considered safe and effective for Type 2 diabetes, and you may lose weight as a side effect of treatment. If you're prescribed Ozempic and you don't have diabetes, this is considered off-label use.
You start feeling those usual hunger pangs again, and consequently, you may start eating more to satisfy that hunger. An increase in your consumption can lead to the regaining of weight that was lost. A 2022 study found that most individuals gain weight back a year after stopping the medication.
“Ozempic face” is a term for common side effects of the type 2 diabetes medication semaglutide (Ozempic). It can cause sagging and aging of facial skin. A doctor may recommend lifestyle modifications or facial fillers to treat these effects.
Ideally, you should not take Ozempic if you do not have diabetes, or if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning on becoming pregnant. Ozempic may cause serious (but rare) side effects, including thyroid C-cell tumors and medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).
Experts said they consider Ozempic and Wegovy to be lifelong medications.
You'll likely notice some changes in appetite and reductions in food cravings within the first week.
The starting Ozempic dosage is usually 0.25 mg once weekly. This dose isn't intended to have an effect on your blood glucose. Instead, it's meant to help your body start adjusting to digestion-related side effects.
Can You Drink Alcohol On Wegovy (Semaglutide)? Typically alcohol is not recommended when patients are taking Wegovy® for weight loss. Alcohol provides added calories and lowers inhibitions which may make it harder to maintain a healthy, calorie-reduced eating pattern.
Ozempic stimulates the release of insulin and lowers blood sugar. When you abruptly stop using it, the amount of glucose in your body can spike, especially if you have diabetes. Some may end up in the ER due to sheer exhaustion from the blood sugar spikes and crashes.
Kidney problems
You may also notice fatigue or swelling. Kidney injury is more common in people who experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration that can occur due to these side effects. If you experience these side effects while taking Ozempic, be sure to drink lots of fluids to rehydrate yourself.
The maximum dose of Ozempic® is 2 mg once a week. Always follow your health care provider's instructions on how to dose Ozempic®.