Whether you are a type-2 diabetic who has been prescribed Ozempic to help you to manage blood sugar levels, or are obese and taking Mounjaro or Wegovy for for weight loss and weight management, medics are warning revellers to be cautious about drinking alcohol while taking GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs this festive season. Dr Alexandra Sowa, author of The Ozempic Revolution (out January 16, Harper Collins, £25 ) warns that these medications could impact your ability to drink and be merry. “While taking these drugs you may be eating less and drinking less than you did before you started your prescription,” she explains.
“I do find that patients will say that when they’re on these medications and they drink, they feel the alcohol more. That makes sense, because these drugs may slow the speed at which your stomach empties, and you aren’t generally consuming as much food to absorb the alcohol as you might have done previously.” Dr Sowa recommends a test run for anyone new to the drugs.
“The one thing I always tell my patients is to try having one alcoholic drink in the days before an evening out with friends or colleagues, just to see how it affects them,” says Dr Sowa. “In anticipation of festive celebrations, I advise people to perhaps set aside a Friday night when they are staying home and don’t have to get up on the Saturday morning to test out their reaction to alcohol. “I suggest they try one glass of wine with dinner to see how they feel straight afte.
