Ozempic and Alcohol: What You Should Know

Moderate alcohol use is generally permissible while on Demaglutide (Ozempic®/Wegovy®) or Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®, Zepbound®), though extra caution is wise due to blood-sugar variability and compounded GI side-effects.

As for craving control, semaglutide—and potentially tirzepatide—shows promising but preliminary evidence of reducing alcohol consumption. Larger Phase III trials are under way, and FDA approval would be the next milestone. Overland IOP continues to monitor the science so clients can make evidence-based decisions about incorporating GLP-1 medications into comprehensive recovery plans.

Can You Drink While Taking Ozempic?

Short answer: usually yes, but with caution. Neither the FDA label nor major drug references list a direct interaction between semaglutide (Ozempic®/Wegovy®) and alcohol. Still, two practical risks matter:

• Blood-sugar swings. Alcohol can drive glucose sharply up or down; pairing it with a GLP-1 drug may raise the chance of hypoglycemia, especially for people with type 2 diabetes or anyone using insulin/sulfonylureas.
• Worsened side-effects. Semaglutide already slows stomach emptying and can cause nausea. Alcohol magnifies those GI symptoms.

Most endocrinologists advise sticking to moderate drinking and avoiding alcohol on days when semaglutide side-effects are strong. Always check your own glucose more often the first few times you combine the two.

Does Ozempic Actually Reduce Alcohol Cravings?

Early data say “maybe.”

• Human pilot trial. In 2025 a double-blind JAMA Psychiatry study gave low-dose semaglutide to 48 adults with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Participants on the drug cut total drinks about 40 percent and reported significantly lower craving scores than those on placebo.
• Real-world records. A Nature analysis of 83,000 electronic-health-record profiles found both semaglutide and the newer dual agonist tirzepatide were linked to fewer binge-drinking episodes and lower odds of developing AUD over 12 months.
• Pre-clinical support. Multiple rodent studies show semaglutide and tirzepatide blunt alcohol- and opioid-seeking without sedating the animals. niaaa.nih.govjamanetwork.com

Important caveat: No GLP-1 drug—semaglutide, tirzepatide, or the next-gen “tri-agonists”—is FDA-approved for treating alcohol or opioid use disorder. All current prescribing for cravings is off-label and experimental.

How Do Tirzepatides Fit Into the Picture?

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®, Zepbound®) targets both GIP and GLP-1 receptors and outperforms semaglutide for weight-loss. Early EHR data suggest it lowers alcohol intake to a similar—or possibly greater—extent. A first-in-human tirzepatide-for-AUD trial (NCT07046819) is now recruiting; results are expected in late 2026. Until then, any craving benefit remains unsupported.

Practical Guidance

1. Moderation first. If you choose to drink on Ozempic or tirzepatide, stay within low-risk limits and monitor blood sugar closely.
2. Adjunct—not replacement. Even if cravings drop, GLP-1 drugs don’t replace counseling, medication-assisted treatment, or peer support.
3. Off-label realities. Insurers rarely cover semaglutide or tirzepatide for addiction alone; out-of-pocket costs can exceed $1,000/month.
4. Medical screening. History of pancreatitis, severe GI disease, or eating disorders may preclude GLP-1 therapy. Review risks with a qualified clinician.