Can You Drink on Weight Loss Injections?

If alcohol is part of your lifestyle, you’re probably wondering how that will change when you start weight loss medication. Although alcohol doesn’t directly interact with weight loss injections [1], there’s still a lot you need to know if you’re considering including it on your weight loss journey.

Of course, the healthiest option is always to avoid alcohol. But the best weight loss plan is the one that’s most sustainable for you, so we’re here to help you make your own informed choices.

Article summary

• Alcohol isn't listed as a medicine interaction for weight loss medication, but it can make stomach upset and dehydration more likely.
• Alcohol is high in calories and doesn’t provide nutritional value, so it’s not the best choice for a calorie-controlled diet.
• If you decide to drink on weight loss medication, take precautions such as staying hydrated and eating beforehand.

What happens when you use a weight loss injection and alcohol?

It can upset your stomach

Feeling sick, being sick and diarrhea are very common side effects of weight loss injections, affecting more than 1 in 10 people. They usually ease over time, but you can help manage them by taking preventive measures like avoiding alcohol. [1]

Regardless of whether or not you’re using a treatment, too much alcohol can irritate the lining of your stomach, causing pain, indigestion and nausea [2]. So coupled with weight loss medication, it could worsen any side effects you already have.

It can make dehydration more likely

Vomiting and diarrhea can make you lose fluids. That's why it's important to drink plenty of water while you're on weight loss medication, especially if you have kidney problems [1].

Alcohol makes you pee more, which can also leave you dehydrated [3]. If you're already low on fluids, alcohol can make this worse.

It can raise your risk of pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is when your pancreas becomes swollen and painful. It's an uncommon but serious potential side effect of weight loss medications [1].

Drinking too much alcohol is one of the most common causes of pancreatitis. Binge drinking, which means drinking a lot in a short time, is thought to raise the risk too [4].

If you get severe stomach pain that doesn't go away, stop taking your medicine and get medical help straight away [1].

Can alcohol make you gain weight?

Alcohol is high in calories but doesn’t provide any nutritional value. In fact, it contains approximately 7 calories per gram (compared to 4 in protein and carbohydrates, and 9 in fat). That’s why it’s important to be mindful of how much you drink when you’re trying to stay in a calorie deficit. Worried about willpower when you start medication? Some people find they don’t want to drink as much when they’re using a weight loss treatment. It’s early days, but researchers are starting to look into this.

In one small study, 48 adults with alcohol use disorder took low-dose semaglutide or a dummy treatment (placebo) for 9 weeks. People taking semaglutide had fewer drinks on the days they drank, and they said they had fewer cravings. [8]

Remember: if you’re ever worried about how much alcohol you drink, or your desire to drink, it’s important to speak to a healthcare professional for advice on the support available to you.

Tips if you choose to drink

You don't have to give up alcohol completely to take weight loss medication. But drinking less is better for your health, and it can help your treatment work for you. If you decide to have a drink during treatment, these steps can help you stay safer:

• Eat before and while you drink. Your appetite may be lower on treatment, but drinking on an empty stomach is never a good idea [7].
• Drink slowly. Have a glass of water or a non-alcoholic drink between each alcoholic one [7].
• Skip alcohol if you're already unwell. If you've been sick or had diarrhea, focus on drinking water instead [1].
• Notice how you feel. If a drink makes your side effects worse, it's fine to stop and try again another time, or not at all.

Learn more about weight loss treatment

References

1. Novo Nordisk Canada Inc. Wegovy [semaglutide injection] product monograph: patient medication information [Internet]. Mississauga [ON]: Novo Nordisk Canada Inc.; 2025 Dec 10 [cited 2026 Oct 6]. Available from: https://www.novonordisk.ca/content/dam/nncorp/ca/en/products/wegovy/consumer-information/wegovy-en-ci-10-december-2025.pdf
2. NHS. Gastritis [Internet]. London: NHS; [cited 2026 Oct 6]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/gastritis/
3. NHS Wales 111. Hangover [Internet]. Cardiff: NHS Wales; [cited 2026 Oct 6]. Available from: https://111.wales.nhs.uk/Hangover
4. NHS. Causes: acute pancreatitis [Internet]. London: NHS; 2022 [cited 2026 Oct 6]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/acute-pancreatitis/causes
5. Sherk A, Naimi TS, Stockwell T, Hobin E. Calorie intake from alcohol in Canada: why new labelling requirements are necessary. Can J Diet Pract Res. 2019;80[3]:111-5. Available from: https://dcjournal.ca/doi/10.3148/cjdpr-2018-046
6. Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction. Canada's guidance on alcohol and health: public summary [Internet]. Ottawa [ON]: CCSA; 2023 [cited 2026 Oct 6]. Available from: https://www.ccsa.ca/sites/default/files/2024-05/Canadas-Guidance-on-Alcohol-and-Health-poster-2023-en.pdf
7. Eastern Ontario Health Unit. Alcohol [Internet]. Cornwall [ON]: EOHU; [cited 2026 Oct 6]. Available from: https://eohu.ca/en/my-health/alcohol
8. Hendershot CS, Bremmer MP, Paladino MB, Kostantinis G, Gilmore TA, Sullivan NR, et al. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with alcohol use disorder: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Psychiatry. 2025;82[4]:395-405. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2024.4789