Guide · Food and modes · 2 min read
Alcohol and GLP-1 medicines
The NHS says it's best not to drink alcohol while using semaglutide or tirzepatide, because it can make side effects like feeling or being sick worse. 1·2 Alcohol may also worsen reflux on GLP-1 treatment, and the joint expert advisory recommends keeping it to a minimum. 3
Some people find they want it less: the experts who wrote the advisory have seen in their clinics that cravings for alcohol often lessen on these medicines. 3
If you do drink
- Eat something first and have a glass of water before you start. 4
- Alternate alcoholic drinks with water or other non-alcoholic drinks. 4
- Go smaller or lower in strength, for example a small glass of wine instead of a large one. 4
- Have several drink-free days each week. 4
- Stay within the UK low-risk guideline: no more than 14 units a week, spread across 3 days or more. 5 That is about 6 medium glasses of wine or 6 pints of average-strength beer. 4
Calories in drinks
Alcohol has 7 calories per gram, almost as many as fat, and mixers such as cola or tonic add more. 5 A standard glass of wine can contain up to 158 calories. 5
If you also take insulin or a sulfonylurea
Using insulin or a sulfonylurea together with Wegovy or Mounjaro can raise the risk of low blood sugar. 6·7 Signs include sweating, shaking, heart palpitations and feeling dizzy. 1 To help prevent low blood sugar, the NHS advises not to drink alcohol without eating. 8
In CalJab
If you feel sick, log it in How are you. On a day you mark nausea or vomiting, Today becomes a gentle day: small bites, sips of water, and recipes that are easy on the stomach come first.
When to see a doctor
- Severe stomach pain that doesn't go away, which may spread to your back: see a doctor straight away, as it could be an inflamed pancreas. 6·7 Drinking a lot of alcohol is one of the most common causes of acute pancreatitis. 9
- If you have had acute pancreatitis before, the NHS advises drinking less alcohol or none at all to help stop it coming back. 9
If you're not sure whether alcohol is safe with your medicines, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Sources
- 1NHS: Semaglutide. Last reviewed 15 May 2026. nhs.uk
- 2NHS: Tirzepatide. Last reviewed 15 May 2026. nhs.uk
- 3Mozaffarian D, et al. Nutritional priorities to support GLP-1 therapy for obesity: a joint Advisory from ACLM, ASN, OMA and The Obesity Society. Obesity 2025;33(8):1475-1503. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4NHS: Tips on cutting down on alcohol. Last reviewed 9 April 2026. nhs.uk
- 5NHS: Calories in alcohol. Last reviewed 12 June 2023. nhs.uk
- 6Wegovy product information and package leaflet. European Medicines Agency (EMA). Accessed 21 October 2026. ema.europa.eu
- 7Mounjaro product information and package leaflet. European Medicines Agency (EMA). Accessed 21 October 2026. ema.europa.eu
- 8NHS: Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia). Last reviewed 3 August 2023. nhs.uk
- 9NHS: Acute pancreatitis. Last reviewed 11 March 2026. nhs.uk
Written by the CalJab team, with sources. It does not replace your doctor's advice. Found a mistake? Write to support@caljab.app.