The dos and don’ts of drinking alcohol while using Mounjaro

Increased appetite and cravings

One of Mounjaro’s standout benefits is its ability to help you control cravings and suppress appetite by working on the brain’s reward system. But alcohol can throw a wrench in these effects.

When you drink, your inhibitions drop, making it harder to stick to a healthy eating plan. It’s easy to give in to high-calorie, low-nutrient snacks or overeat when alcohol enters the picture, which can sabotage your progress.

Added calories

Alcohol is infamous for being calorie-dense and nutrient-poor. For example, a glass of wine can add roughly 120 calories to your day, while a pint of beer might stack up more than 150 calories. If cocktails with sugary mixers are your go-to, the calorie count can climb even higher.

It’s not only about how much alcohol you drink but also what you choose to drink. Opting for lower-calorie alternatives, like a vodka soda with lime instead of a beer, can help keep your calorie intake in check.

When the goal is to lose weight, these extra liquid calories can quietly sabotage your progress, especially if you’re not making adjustments elsewhere in your diet.

Slowed metabolism

Mounjaro helps to safely increase your metabolism, allowing your body to burn more calories. On the flip side, alcoholic drinks can throw a wrench in this process by slowing your metabolism down.

When you drink, your body shifts its focus to breaking down the alcohol instead of handling other tasks like burning fat [4]. This shift can pump the brakes on your weight loss progress, making it tougher to drop those extra pounds.

Dehydration

Alcohol acts as a diuretic, meaning it makes you lose more fluid through urine, which can leave you dehydrated [5]. Staying properly hydrated is key when you’re working toward weight loss because it keeps your metabolism running efficiently and supports digestion.

If you’re combining Mounjaro with alcohol, keeping up with hydration is even more vital. The medication depends on your digestive system working well to help manage hunger and fullness [2]. Skipping out on fluids while drinking alcohol could not only leave you uncomfortable but also mess with your progress.

Blood sugar fluctuations

GLP-1/GIP medications like Mounjaro are designed to help control blood sugar levels, which is especially helpful for those with a history of type 2 diabetes or prediabetes [6].

But drinking alcohol can throw off this balance, particularly if you’re drinking on an empty stomach. Alcohol can lead to drops in blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which may cause symptoms like dizziness, confusion, or irritability — and these can become dangerous if not addressed [7].

If you’re using Mounjaro to manage blood sugar levels, it’s crucial to stay aware of how alcohol might affect your body and take steps to reduce potential risks.

Wegovy

Wegovy, an injectable medication for weight loss, functions as a GLP-1 receptor agonist, similar to Mounjaro. It helps control appetite and manage cravings, but caution is still necessary when combining it with alcohol [8].

Since Wegovy influences digestion and metabolism, it’s a good idea to check in with your healthcare provider to discuss whether moderate alcohol consumption is safe for you while on this medication.

Although semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy, doesn’t have a known direct interaction with alcohol, both can affect blood sugar levels, potentially leading to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) [7]. Drinking larger amounts of alcohol may also diminish the effectiveness of semaglutide.

Phentermine

Phentermine is an appetite suppressant often prescribed to aid weight loss by stimulating the central nervous system and increasing energy levels to help curb hunger.

However, combining Phentermine with alcohol is usually discouraged, as it can heighten the risk of side effects like dizziness, headaches, and a rapid heart rate [9].

On top of that, alcohol may interfere with Phentermine’s appetite-suppressing benefits, making it harder to stay on track with a lower-calorie diet.

Medications

If you’re taking other medications, it’s vital to talk to your doctor about possible drug interactions with Mounjaro. For instance, medications that help regulate blood sugar, such as insulin or sulfonylureas, may interact with GLP-1 treatments, leading to an increased risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

Your healthcare provider can guide you in adjusting dosages or keeping a close eye on your blood sugar levels to prevent any complications.

One notable interaction to be aware of is with the contraceptive pill. Research from 2024 revealed that Mounjaro may impact how birth control pills are absorbed, potentially making them less effective and raising the chances of unplanned pregnancy [10]. To reduce this risk, switching to a non-oral form of birth control is strongly recommended while using Mounjaro.

Foods

The foods you eat can influence how effectively Mounjaro works in your body. Processed and sugary foods, for example, may lead to blood sugar spikes, which can interfere with the medication’s ability to manage blood glucose levels.

By focusing on a balanced diet rich in whole foods like vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats, you can enhance Mounjaro’s benefits and stay on track with your weight loss goals.

Lifestyle habits

Lifestyle factors such as stress and sleep can play a significant role in how well a weight loss treatment like Mounjaro works for you. High-stress levels can boost cortisol production, which may disrupt weight loss efforts and appetite control. Similarly, insufficient sleep can throw off hunger-related hormones, leading to stronger cravings and overeating.

Focusing on healthy habits like practising stress management techniques and ensuring quality sleep can help maximise Mounjaro’s effectiveness in achieving your weight loss goals.

So, what's the deal with alcohol? Well, moderate drinking doesn’t pose any major safety issues with Mounjaro, but it’s worth keeping the potential downsides in mind. Alcohol might increase your appetite, add extra empty calories, and cause blood sugar swings — all of which can interfere with your progress while using the medication.