Can you drink alcohol on Wegovy?

You may have heard of Wegovy, or semaglutide, which is one of the newest weight loss medications to be approved in the UK for use by people who meet qualifying health and weight criteria. Like many weight loss drugs, Wegovy needs to be used in a certain way to see optimal impact. This includes making sure you know the guidelines when it comes to Wegovy and alcohol. 

What is Wegovy? 

Wegovy is a new drug that is being made by Novo Nordisk. It has been recommended by NICE for adults who have a BMI of 27 or more and have at least one weight-related condition, for example type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure. 
Administered weekly via injection, a Wegovy pen contains the active ingredient semaglutide which can help people to lose weight by suppressing their appetite and helping them to feel fuller for longer. 

Can you mix Wegovy and alcohol?

When considering the right weight loss drug, one of the key questions will be “can you drink on Wegovy?” Wegovy is a relatively new medication, but there are currently no known Wegovy side effects with alcohol. However, that doesn’t mean that Wegovy and alcohol mix. 

As Wegovy impacts your digestion, your tolerance to alcohol may be reduced, which means that the effects of the alcohol will be greater. 

Many of the effects of alcohol are similar to the side effects of Wegovy, so if you drink alcohol while you are using a Wegovy pen, you may exacerbate the known side effects, such as nausea, acid reflux, dizziness, fatigue, and digestive problems (diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal pain, and vomiting). 

Alcohol can reduce your blood sugar, therefore there is an increased risk of hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemia for those with diabetes who combine Wegovy and alcohol. 

Will Wegovy still work if you drink alcohol? 

Alcohol is high in empty calories and can inhibit your behaviour, which can make it harder to listen to your body and exercise willpower. Although alcohol won’t stop Wegovy from working in terms of making you feel fuller and less hungry, drinking alcohol can interfere with any calorie-controlled programme; as a result, drinking while taking Wegovy may slow down or stop your weight loss.  

If you are on a calorie-controlled programme or taking any weight loss drugs and are struggling to lose weight because you are unable to stop drinking alcohol, it is advisable that you consult a medical professional. 

Alternatives to Wegovy

For those seeking effective weight loss drugs, the question of Wegovy vs Saxenda, a drug that is already available in the UK, may be raised. The two drugs work in a very similar way; the primary difference is that Wegovy is injected once a week, while a Saxenda pen needs to be used daily. 

Another approved weight loss drug is Orlistat tablets which can aid weight loss for people with a BMI over 30, or those with a BMI of 28 or more and who have been diagnosed with other risk factors. When determining the most appropriate weight loss drugs, your prescriber will consider your overall health as well as your preferred method of administering the drugs (orally or by injection; daily or weekly). If you are buying weight loss drugs online, you may also want to consider cost implications; it may be useful to note that Oxford Online Pharmacy sell everything that you need to administer Saxenda and Wegovy, while some pharmacies sell items separately, which appears cheaper at first glance, but is not usually as cost effective as buying a complete kit. Please note: Wegovy isn't avaliable in the UK yet, although, we are hoping to offer Wegovy when it is available or similar.