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Can You Drink Alcohol While Taking Mounjaro?

Honest Advice from Your Local Pharmacy

If you’re taking Mounjaro (tirzepatide), whether it’s to help manage type 2 diabetes or to support your weight loss journey, it’s completely normal to wonder whether having a drink now and then is safe. At Puri Pharmacy, our patients often ask this, so we’ve compiled this honest, easy-to-understand guide.

The short version? A small amount of alcohol isn’t necessarily dangerous. Still, there are several good reasons to be cautious, especially if your goal is long-term weight loss or stable blood sugar levels.

Let’s walk you through what we share with our patients.

This post has been verified by a clinical specialist.

Verified by Rahul Puri on 23 May 2025

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What Is Mounjaro, and How Does It Work?

Mounjaro is a weekly injection that mimics two naturally occurring hormones, GLP-1 and GIP. These help:

- Regulate blood sugar
- Slow digestion
- Reduce hunger
- Support steady, sustainable fat loss

It’s prescribed for people with type 2 diabetes, and increasingly used under medical supervision for weight loss in those who are overweight or obese.

Is Alcohol Safe to Drink While Taking Mounjaro?

There’s no official warning that says you must avoid alcohol entirely while taking Mounjaro, but that doesn’t mean it’s always a good idea.

Alcohol can:

Make specific side effects worse
Slow down your weight loss
Affect your blood sugar (especially if you have diabetes)

Let’s take a closer look.

Alcohol Is High in Hidden Calories

It’s easy to forget how many calories are in alcohol:

A pint of beer: over 200 calories
A glass of wine: 120–150 calories
A cocktail: 300+ calories, especially with sugary mixers

Even a few drinks can cancel out the calorie deficit you’ve built through healthy eating and Mounjaro.

Alcohol Can Undo the Appetite-Suppressing Effect

One of the significant benefits of Mounjaro is that it helps reduce hunger and cravings. But alcohol tends to do the opposite, it lowers your inhibitions, makes you hungrier, and can lead to poor food choices.

After a few drinks, you might find yourself:

Reaching for snacks you’d generally avoid
Eating more than you planned
Craving sugary or greasy foods the next day

This can slow progress for patients trying to stay in a calorie deficit.

Alcohol Slows Your Metabolism

When you drink, your body stops burning fat to get rid of the alcohol first. This means fat loss is temporarily put on pause. If drinking becomes regular, your weight loss can plateau even if you’re taking Mounjaro as prescribed.

You May Feel Side Effects More Strongly

Mounjaro can sometimes cause nausea, dizziness, or bloating, especially when starting or increasing your dose. Alcohol can make these worse and increase the risk of dehydration, which can lead to:

- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Muscle cramps
- Difficulty sleeping

We always recommend our patients drink plenty of water while on Mounjaro, and alcohol can work against that.

Blood Sugar Levels Can Drop Too Low

If you have diabetes and drink alcohol (especially without food), it can cause your blood sugar to dip too low, something known as hypoglycaemia.

This risk is higher if you also take insulin or sulfonylureas alongside Mounjaro.

Signs of low blood sugar include:

- Shakiness or sweating
- Feeling confused or dizzy
- Irritability
- Blurred vision

If you choose to drink, always eat beforehand, and be mindful of how your body feels.

So... Can You Still Enjoy a Drink Now and Then?

Yes, in moderation and with caution. Here’s the advice we give to patients at Puri Pharmacy:

Limit yourself to 1–2 drinks
- no more than once or twice a week
Avoid drinking on an empty stomach
Stay well hydrated
- (drink water between alcoholic drinks)
Avoid sugary mixers
- opt for soda water or light tonic
Listen to your body
- if you feel more nauseous than usual, give alcohol a break

If you’re serious about weight loss, cutting out alcohol—at least temporarily—can make a big difference.

Do Other Weight Loss Medications Have the Same Risks?

Wegovy (semaglutide)

Wegovy works similarly to Mounjaro and comes with the same cautions:

Alcohol may increase side effects like nausea
Appetite suppression can be overridden
Blood sugar can fluctuate more unpredictably

Other Things to Watch Out For While Using Mounjaro

Medication Interactions

Speak to a pharmacist before drinking if you’re also taking:

Insulin or sulfonylureas – increase hypoglycaemia risk
Blood pressure medication can intensify dizziness
Oral contraceptives may be less effective if you experience vomiting
Diuretics – raise your risk of dehydration

Food Triggers

Some meals can make Mounjaro side effects worse, particularly those that are:

Fried
Fatty
Sugary
Very large in portion size

Stick to smaller, balanced meals and snacks spaced out during the day.

Lifestyle Tips from Our Team

Here’s what we recommend to get the most from Mounjaro:

Drink 2 litres of water daily
Eat regularly—don’t skip meals
Prioritise protein-rich foods
Stay active: 20–30 minutes of walking each day is a great start
Limit caffeine and alcohol—both can worsen side effects and sleep

Final Thoughts: Should You Avoid Alcohol on Mounjaro?

Alcohol isn’t banned while taking Mounjaro, but we encourage our patients to be cautious.

Even a few small lifestyle changes—like cutting back on alcohol, drinking more water, or eating better—can make a big difference in how well the medication works.

If you’re serious about weight loss or managing diabetes, it’s worth thinking twice before you drink. The occasional glass of wine or a light beer may be fine, but regular drinking can hold you back more than you realise.

Need Personal Advice? We're Here to Help.

At Puri Pharmacy, we take the time to understand your goals and help you stay on track. Whether you’ve just started Mounjaro or need support adjusting your lifestyle, we offer:

Weight loss consultations
Medication reviews
Blood tests
Tailored advice based on your needs

Pop into our Southall or Hillingdon branch today

Book an appointment

Frequently asked Questions (FAQ)

Yes, you can, but it’s best to do so in moderation. Occasional drinking may be safe for many people on Mounjaro, but regular or heavy drinking can increase side effects, disrupt your weight loss progress, and affect your blood sugar levels.

We recommend sticking to no more than 1–2 standard drinks per occasion, ideally no more than once or twice a week. Always eat beforehand, drink water alongside alcohol, and avoid sugary mixers.

Yes. Alcohol can increase appetite, add empty calories, and slow down your metabolism—all of which can reduce the weight loss benefits of Mounjaro.

Absolutely. Both alcohol and Mounjaro can cause nausea, dizziness, and dehydration. Drinking while on Mounjaro may intensify these symptoms, particularly in the first few weeks of treatment.

Some patients report feeling the effects of alcohol more strongly while on Mounjaro. This means even one drink may cause dizziness or fatigue. It’s best to start slowly and see how your body reacts.

Choose lower-calorie drinks, such as:

A small glass of dry wine
Vodka with soda water and lime
A light beer

Avoid cocktails with sugary mixers, creamy liqueurs, or high-carb beers.

It’s a personal choice. While some people tolerate moderate alcohol just fine, others find they feel better and see faster results when they cut back or stop drinking entirely. If you’re focused on weight loss or managing diabetes, reducing alcohol may help you stay on track.

Stop drinking, hydrate with water, and monitor your symptoms. If you feel faint, confused, or experience vomiting or signs of low blood sugar, seek medical help. You can also speak to your pharmacist for advice.