Ozempic has been in the news a lot lately, but many people still have questions about this medication’s benefits and potential drawbacks. For example, can you drink alcohol on Ozempic? And what happens if you do?
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What Exactly is Ozempic?
Ozempic is the brand name of a prescription medication that contains semaglutide. It has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat Type 2 diabetes since 2017, and it has also gained considerable attention in the past few years for its potential as a weight-loss drug.
Semaglutide is a selective long-acting glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. This means that it acts like GLP-1. GLP-1 is a hormone that is involved with appetite, digestion, and the regulation of blood glucose (blood sugar).
When a person takes Ozempic, the drug prompts their body to produce more insulin. This leads to a lowering of their blood glucose levels. It can also cause them to feel full, which decreases their appetite and promotes weight loss.
The FDA has not approved Ozempic or any other form of semaglutide as a weight loss medication, but many doctors prescribe it for this purpose on an off-label basis.
Can You Drink Alcohol on Ozempic?
The simple answer to the question, “Can you drink alcohol on Ozempic?” is that you probably shouldn’t.
Researchers have not linked Ozempic and alcohol with any major, life-threatening effects, but this doesn’t mean you’re free to drink as much as you’d like with no risk of negative outcomes. Additionally, Ozempic has been known to minimize alcohol cravings.
Dangers of Drinking Alcohol While on Ozempic
Let’s review some reasons why it may not be a good idea for you to drink alcohol while on Ozempic.
Researchers have identified heavy alcohol use as a risk factor for Type 2 diabetes. Drinking large amounts of alcohol on a regular basis can be harmful to the liver and pancreas. Both of which are involved in maintaining blood sugar levels. Thus, if you’re taking Ozempic to control symptoms of diabetes, your alcohol use may be having the opposite effect on your body.
Alcohol use can also be a driving factor in unhealthy weight gain. So, as with Type-2 diabetes, if you’re using Ozempic for weight loss purposes, drinking alcohol may exacerbate the problem that you’ve been trying to address with medication.
Also, alcohol may intensify some of the potential adverse effects of Ozempic, such as:
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Bloating
- Gastrointestinal distress
It’s also important to remember that using alcohol on its own can expose you to considerable physical and psychological harm, even without considering how it might interact with any prescription medications. If you’re taking Ozempic to improve your health, why risk damaging your body or mind with alcohol?
What Should You Do if You Accidentally Drink Alcohol While Taking Ozempic?
The dangers of combining alcohol and Ozempic are most likely to affect people who have been drinking heavily for an extended period. If you take a sip of what you believed to be a non-alcoholic beverage, only to discover that it actually does contain alcohol, this should not be harmful.
However, if by “accidentally” drinking, you mean “I intended to avoid alcohol, but once I got to the party, I couldn’t resist getting drunk,” that could be problematic for reasons such as:
- As we mentioned earlier, heavy drinking can counteract Ozempic’s effects. This means that, whether you are taking it for Type 2 diabetes or as a weight-loss drug, you’re unlikely to see the results you’re hoping for if you keep drinking.
- Unintentionally drinking more than you intended can be a warning sign for alcohol use disorder. Drinking in situations that you know could be dangerous – such as when you’re taking prescription medication – is also one of the criteria for alcohol addiction.
Alcoholism is a chronic, progressive condition. This means that it is likely to worsen over time. Additionally, your compulsions are unlikely to subside if you don’t get effective treatment.
Now for the good news: With the right type of help and a concerted effort on your part, you can stop drinking and start living a healthier future, free from the constraints of compulsive alcohol abuse.
The path to long-term recovery from alcohol addiction can look quite different from one person to the next. This is why it’s so important to find a provider that will closely review your history and talk to you about your needs and goals. Finally, you’ll want to design a customized course of treatment just for you.
Depending on a variety of personal factors, effective care for alcohol addiction may include programs such as:
- Detoxification
- Residential rehab
- Partial hospitalization program (PHP)
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
- Outpatient treatment
For some people, spending time in one of these programs is enough to establish a strong foothold in early recovery. Others may need to receive care in several or all of them.
Remember: There are many paths to recovery, none of which are perfect for everyone. Your objective should be to find the path that’s best for you.
If You Can’t Stop Drinking Contact Phoenix Rising Recovery Today
Phoenix Rising Recovery exists to help people find their way out of the darkness of active addiction.
We offer several levels of customized programming, including both residential and outpatient options, as well as robust aftercare support. Our rehab center in Palm Springs is a safe and welcoming place where you can receive the quality care you need and the compassionate support you deserve.
To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact page or call us today.
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