Tirzepatide is a medication manufactured by Eli Lilly and FDA-approved to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. It is the active ingredient of Mounjaro, a brand name approved for treating type 2 diabetes, and Zepbound, a brand name approved to help adults lose weight.
Tirzepatide is classified as a dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It helps improve blood sugar levels and weight loss by signalling the liver to release less glucose, signalling the brain that you’re full, and slowing the passage of food through your stomach.
However, when it comes to lifestyle factors like alcohol consumption, you may want to know how drinking may interact with the medication and affect your blood sugar and weight loss.
In this post, we’ll explore the potential risks of drinking alcohol while on tirzepatide, provide tips for responsible drinking, and offer guidance on how to make informed decisions about alcohol consumption.
What Is Tirzepatide and How Does It Work?
Tirzepatide is a medication approved by the FDA under the brand name Zepbound to help people lose weight and keep it off. It works for weight loss by reducing hunger and delaying the passage of food from the stomach into the small intestine, which may make you feel full faster and for a longer time. Zepbound is also approved to help treat moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults with obesity. Tirzepatide is injected once weekly under the skin using a pen.
Zepbound is best used in combination with diet and exercise.
In addition to treating obesity and OSA, tirzepatide is also approved to help improve blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes under the brand name, Mounjaro. Tirzepatide lowers blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes by slowing the passage of food through the intestines, reducing the amount of sugar the liver produces, and helping release insulin when blood glucose levels are high. Mounjaro should be used along with exercise and a healthy diet.
Mounjaro can be taken alone or with other diabetes medications such as metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors, or sulfonylureas.
Tirzepatide is different since it is the first combination of two drug classes: a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonist and a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. Tirzepatide is hence referred to as a dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist.
GLP-1 and GIP are incretin hormones released after a meal. Tirzepatide works by imitating their effects. These include instructing the liver to produce less glucose, signalling the pancreas to release insulin after a meal, signalling the brain that you’re full, and slowing the passage of food through your stomach. These effects help promote weight loss and decrease blood sugar levels.
Can You Drink Alcohol While Taking Tirzepatide?
Drinking alcohol while taking tirzepatide is not known to cause direct interaction with each other. This means that drinking alcohol does not affect how your body processes or absorbs tirzepatide. However, that does not imply that drinking alcohol while taking this medication is safe. This is because drinking alcohol may reduce the effectiveness of treatment and increase the risk of common Mounjaro or Zepbound side effects and other health risks.
Potential Risks of Drinking Alcohol on Tirzepatide
It’s essential to understand the effects of alcohol while on tirzepatide. Alcohol can worsen some of the drug’s side effects and affect how well it controls blood sugar and helps people lose weight. Alcohol may also cause additional risks and challenges to tirzepatide users. Here are some potential downsides of consuming alcohol while on tirzepatide:
1. Alcohol may worsen gastrointestinal side effects
Drinking alcohol on tirzepatide may increase the risk of gastrointestinal side effects. Tirzepatide and alcohol may have the same side effects, including nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, constipation, and diarrhea. These effects can worsen, especially when consuming huge amounts of alcohol while on tirzepatide.
2. Alcohol and tirzepatide may increase the risk of low blood glucose (Hypoglycemia)
While rare, tirzepatide can raise your risk of low blood sugar. But if you are on insulin or another diabetes treatment, this risk is even higher. Alcohol can also lead to low blood sugar because it prevents your liver from releasing glucose, or sugar, into your blood. As a result, excessive alcohol consumption while taking tirzepatide may result in dangerously low blood sugar levels.
Low blood sugar and being drunk can also cause similar symptoms, such as slurred speech and blurred vision. This may make it more difficult to identify a hypoglycemia episode, which can result in seizures and even death if left untreated.
3. Alcohol and tirzepatide may increase the risk of pancreatitis and kidney damage
Tirzepatide has been associated with a potential risk of pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas), a serious but rare side effect. Excessive consumption of alcohol is also a well-known cause of pancreatitis. Drinking alcohol while taking tirzepatide may increase the likelihood of this condition. The pancreas regulates the production of insulin, which helps keep blood sugar levels steady. If you have a family history of pancreatitis or other pancreatic disorders, you should avoid both tirzepatide and alcohol.
Tirzepatide may also cause dehydration because of its gastrointestinal effects mentioned above. Alcohol is also a diuretic, meaning it increases urine production and can lead to further dehydration. Prolonged dehydration can strain the kidneys and impair their function, potentially leading to kidney damage.
4. Alcohol may reduce tirzepatide’s benefits, including weight loss
While tirzepatide supports weight loss by regulating appetite, slowing digestion, and improving blood sugar levels, drinking alcohol can counteract these benefits. Alcohol is high in empty calories, meaning it provides energy without any nutritional value.
Consuming alcoholic beverages, especially sugary cocktails or beer, can increase your daily calorie intake, potentially stalling your weight loss progress.
Alcohol can also stimulate appetite, which can lead to overeating or choosing unhealthy, calorie-dense foods. Research also shows that those who drink regularly tend to make unhealthier choices when it comes to their diet.
Additionally, when you drink alcohol, your body prioritizes metabolizing it over other processes, including fat burning. This can slow down your metabolism, offsetting the weight loss effects of tirzepatide.
5. Tirzepatide may reduce your alcohol cravings
Interestingly, tirzepatide might have an unexpected effect on alcohol consumption by reducing cravings. The most recent research suggests that tirzepatide and other GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide may affect dopamine, the brain’s “feel good” hormone, which makes patients stop associating alcohol and other substances with pleasure.
Some people have also reported having reduced alcohol cravings while on tirzepatide. Researchers examined social media posts about alcohol, and they discovered that people using GLP-1 medications had lower average drink counts and fewer chances of binge drinking.
How to Drink Responsibly on Tirzepatide
Before consuming alcohol on tirzepatide, it’s essential to discuss your drinking habits with your healthcare provider. They can assess your risks based on your medical history and current health status, provide personalized guidance on safe alcohol consumption, and help you adjust your occasional drinking to accommodate your treatment plan.
Here are tips to help you safely drink alcohol while on tirzepatide:
- Stay hydrated: Drink water between alcoholic beverages to prevent dehydration, which can worsen tirzepatide’s side effects.
- Eat before drinking: Consuming alcohol on an empty stomach can lead to rapid blood sugar fluctuations. A balanced meal can help stabilize your blood sugar levels.
- Monitor your symptoms: Be mindful of any unusual side effects like severe nausea, dizziness, or abdominal pain, and reduce alcohol intake if symptoms occur.
- Drink in moderation: Follow moderate drinking guidelines—no more than one drink per day for women and two for men.
- Avoid sugary drinks: Cocktails or sweetened alcoholic beverages can spike your blood sugar levels and add unnecessary calories. Choose low-sugar options like dry wine or spirits mixed with soda water.
Frequently Asked Questions About Alcohol and Tirzepatide
Who should avoid alcohol while taking tirzepatide?
People with diabetes, neuropathy, pancreatitis, or high triglycerides should abstain from alcohol while on tirzpatide. You should also avoid alcohol if you’re trying to lose weight.
Will drinking alcohol cause me to gain weight while on tirzepatide?
Drinking alcohol can hinder weight loss progress while on tirzepatide. Alcohol beverages are calorie-dense and offer no nutritional value, adding empty calories to your diet. Alcohol may also stimulate appetite, leading to overeating.
How much alcohol can I drink while taking tirzepatide?
Moderation is key when drinking alcohol on tirzepatide. Follow general guidelines—no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. You must strictly monitor your blood sugar levels and follow your treatment plan when drinking alcohol while taking tirzepatide.
How NP2GO can help
While some people might not have any serious problems with moderate drinking on tirzepatide, others might have serious side effects that make their treatment less effective.
Alcohol and tirzepatide can increase the risk of side effects, including decreased medicine effectiveness, low blood sugar, and digestive problems. Remember that moderate alcohol consumption is essential and that what is safe for one person may be harmful to another. To avoid unpleasant, harmful side effects, it’s wise to discuss any possible interactions between tirzepatide and alcohol with your healthcare provider and whether drinking is right for your treatment plan.
If you’re taking tirzepatide to manage diabetes or lose weight and have concerns about drinking alcohol, NP2GO is here to help. Schedule a virtual consultation with our experienced providers to get personalized advice on alcohol consumption, medication, and lifestyle adjustments. We’ll help you manage your health safely and effectively, ensuring you stay on track with your goals.