A growing body of research and anecdotal evidence suggests that weight-loss medications such as Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Ozempic may be altering users' relationships with alcohol. These drugs, which contain active ingredients like semaglutide or tirzepatide, mimic a natural hormone that suppresses appetite and promotes a feeling of fullness, aiding in weight loss.
Early studies indicate that these medications can affect the brain's reward pathways, potentially reducing cravings for substances including alcohol and nicotine. A small-scale study published in 2025 by Dr. Christian Hendershot of the University of South Carolina observed that participants with alcohol use disorder experienced fewer alcohol cravings while taking Ozempic. Alcohol use disorder is defined by the NHS as drinking in a way that is harmful.
More recently, a study from the University of Colorado Anschutz, published in early 2024, suggested that GLP-1 medications, even in pill form, led to a decrease in the number of heavy drinking days among individuals with mild to moderate alcohol use disorder.
Individuals using these medications have reported varied effects. Some have noted a complete disappearance of alcohol cravings, while others find that drinking now causes nausea or an uncomfortable sense of fullness. Some users report becoming intoxicated more quickly than before. Conversely, some individuals have reported no noticeable change in their consumption or desire for alcohol.
Lisa, who previously drank between six and eight bottles of wine weekly, has seen her consumption more than halved since starting Wegovy. She noted that at a recent festival, she consumed only three glasses of wine over nine hours, a significant reduction from her past habits. While alcohol was a considerable part of her social life, she now finds she can only stomach a couple of glasses before feeling satiated. "I still feel involved in things because I'm still drinking but drinking a lot less," Lisa stated.
Warren Thomas, 45, who used to enjoy occasional beers after work and monthly heavy drinking sessions with friends, experienced a noticeable effect within 24 hours of his first Mounjaro dose in mid-June. "I just don't want to drink," he said. "I've just got no appetite for it." He also reported feeling light-headed and giddy after just two beers during a recent outing, noting that his tolerance for alcohol has significantly decreased.
While there are no formal guidelines from sources like the British National Formulary advising patients on weight-loss drugs to cease alcohol consumption, medical professionals are providing careful counsel. Professor Russell Hearn, a general practitioner and professor of medicine at King's College London, advised that reducing alcohol intake can be beneficial for weight loss goals, especially for those on GLP-1 medications, given alcohol's calorie content.
For some, like Lisa and Warren, the reduction in alcohol consumption has been a welcome side effect. However, for others, such as 20-year-old Faye Goodwin, the impact has been less positive, potentially hindering her social life. Faye, who has been taking Mounjaro since she was 18, experiences nausea and acid reflux when she drinks. She reported being able to drink without these adverse effects during a month-long break from the medication, indicating a direct link between the drug and her experience with alcohol.