When taking this medication for Type 2 diabetes, here’s what you should know
Ozempic is an effective brand name drug for treating Type 2 diabetes. Although it is approved as a safe and effective drug by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Ozempic (semaglutide) may cause side effects and interact with other drugs or substances, including alcohol.
If you or someone you know is using Ozempic, you may want to be aware of the potential risks of mixing Ozempic and alcohol. There is no known direct interaction between alcohol and Ozempic. However, alcohol may cause changes in blood sugar (also known as blood glucose), which can affect how effectively Ozempic treats diabetes.
What is Ozempic?
Ozempic is a brand name drug that contains the active ingredient semaglutide, which is part of a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. It helps lower blood glucose levels by stimulating the pancreas to release insulin and preventing the liver from releasing too much sugar into the blood. Ozempic also helps slow the digestion of food, which helps a person feel full for longer after eating. While it’s not a weight loss drug, people taking the medication have reduced their body weight by up to 14 pounds.
Ozempic is FDA approved to help control blood sugar levels in adults with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. It should only be used along with lifestyle changes such as an appropriate diet and exercise plan with guidance from a healthcare professional. In addition, Ozempic can also help reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular events in people with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. (Ozempic is not used to treat Type 1 diabetes.) It is also used off-label for weight loss in individuals with obesity.
Ozempic is administered as an injection under the skin of the upper arm, stomach area, or thigh. It is usually prescribed to be taken once every week, with food or on an empty stomach. Unused Ozempic pens should be stored in the refrigerator. After the first use, the injection can be stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
Mixing Ozempic and alcohol
The FDA drug information for Ozempic does not provide any specific disclaimers on mixing Ozempic and alcohol, but that doesn’t mean mixing Ozempic and alcohol is entirely safe. The use of alcohol can lead to short-term or long-term changes in blood sugar levels, which can affect treatment with Ozempic.
Studies show that an occasional bout of drinking alcohol may lower blood sugar levels, while long-term alcohol consumption can cause increased blood sugar levels. These blood sugar changes can increase the risk of dangerously low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) or dangerously high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) in people with diabetes. When Ozempic is added into the mix, blood glucose levels could fluctuate even more, especially if you’re just starting treatment or you’re taking other diabetes medications, such as insulin.
In most cases, if your blood sugar levels are under control with Ozempic, then you should be fine to enjoy an occasional drink. It’s best to limit your daily alcohol consumption to two drinks (if you’re a man) or one drink (if you’re a woman). Over the long-term, there may be an increased risk of certain side effects with chronic alcohol consumption and the use of Ozempic.
Side effects of Ozempic and alcohol
One important aspect of mixing Ozempic and alcohol is the potential for overlapping side effects. In other words, Ozempic and alcohol can cause identical side effects that could be worsened when combining the two.
The most common side effects of Ozempic include:
- Injection site reactions (redness or swelling around the area of injection)
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Constipation
- Gas
- Burping
- Acid reflux
- Indigestion
Alcohol can increase acid production in the stomach, which can lead to gastrointestinal side effects similar to those of Ozempic. For example, excessive alcohol use can lead to inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis) and cause nausea, vomiting, burping, and abdominal pain. Drinking alcohol could worsen these side effects of Ozempic.
The most serious side effects of Ozempic include the following:
- Hypoglycemia
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- Vision changes
- Kidney problems
- Gallbladder problems
- An increased risk of thyroid cancer
- Serious allergic reactions, including shortness of breath
People who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a history of diabetic retinopathy should discuss the risks with their healthcare providers prior to taking Ozempic.
Hypoglycemia
Around 4% of people taking Ozempic alone and around 30% of people taking Ozempic with insulin experienced hypoglycemia in clinical trials. With alcohol, there is also a risk of hypoglycemia. Therefore, the risk of hypoglycemia with Ozempic may be amplified with excessive alcohol consumption. Alcohol can block the production and release of sugar from the liver, which can cause blood sugar levels to spiral too low.
Symptoms of low blood sugar can vary in severity and may include confusion, drowsiness, shakiness, nausea, headaches, and chills. It’s important to consistently monitor blood sugar levels to avoid hypoglycemia while taking Ozempic, and follow your doctor’s instructions on how to treat hypoglycemia.
Another important thing to note is that many people may be taking Ozempic along with other diabetes medications, such as insulin or metformin. Taking Ozempic with other diabetes medications could also increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis, also known as inflammation of the pancreas, is another side effect that has been reported with Ozempic. Symptoms of pancreatitis include severe abdominal pain, weight loss, and nausea. If pancreatitis develops, treatment with Ozempic will be discontinued by a healthcare provider.
Pancreatitis is also linked to chronic, excessive alcohol use, which can equate to around four to five drinks daily over five years. On the other hand, pancreatitis is not usually linked to isolated incidents of binge drinking. Still, there may be an increased, but overall small, risk of pancreatitis while drinking alcohol during treatment with Ozempic.
Kidney problems
Acute kidney injury has been reported by some people taking Ozempic, according to the drug’s FDA label. In some people, kidney problems can come on suddenly without any previous history of kidney disease. For this reason, kidney function may need to be monitored in some people who are taking Ozempic.
Alcohol has been tied to different effects on the kidneys, although the exact way in which alcohol affects the kidneys is not entirely known. Alcohol in excessive amounts can cause high blood pressure, which is a potential cause of kidney disease. Several studies suggest that alcohol use disorder can lead to an increased risk of chronic kidney disease.
Bottom line
If you’re just starting treatment with Ozempic, your healthcare provider may recommend you avoid drinking any alcohol. Initially, your dosage will vary and may need to be increased over time to control your blood sugar levels. The process of adjusting the initial dosage can take up to 12 weeks.
If your blood sugar levels are controlled with Ozempic, having an occasional drink should be fine. Just try to limit your alcohol intake and avoid binge drinking. Overconsumption of alcohol could affect your blood sugar levels and increase your risk of hypoglycemia. Drinking too much too frequently could lead to more serious side effects, such as pancreatitis and kidney problems, as well as liver failure.
Always seek medical advice from a healthcare professional if you have any concerns about your health or medications. Tell your doctor about all of the medical conditions you have and other medications you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal supplements. You should also talk to a healthcare professional on other possible side effects, drug interactions, and precautions with Ozempic
