Mounjaro & Alcohol

You’re thinking about trying Mounjaro or Zepbound (Eli Lilly’s most recently approved weight loss medication), but you’re wondering what sorts of restrictions you might have to contend with. You know that regular exercise and a healthy diet are part of the weight-loss recipe with both of these drugs, but what about alcohol?

Will you still be able to enjoy a Mimosa at brunch or a Bloody Mary at cocktail hour?

The answer is: It depends.

Read on to gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between alcohol and tirzepatide (Mounjaro and Zepbound’s active ingredient) and the factors that may impact how much (or how little) alcohol you can consume while on these drugs.

Bear in mind that, though well-researched, the information below does not constitute or replace medical advice. For specific information about drinking alcohol with tirzepatide based on your particular medical history and health goals, it’s critical to consult directly with your doctor or healthcare provider.

Key Takeaways

• Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is an injectable prescription medication that’s indicated for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes in adults. Under the brand name Zepbound, tirzepatide is indicated for chronic weight management in obese and overweight populations.
• The FDA hasn’t issued any specific warnings about consuming alcohol while taking Mounjaro. However, alcohol and Mounjaro both lower blood sugar levels, which means that the risk of hypoglycemia may increase when they are combined.
• In addition, the side effects of Mounjaro may worsen with alcohol.
• Other factors that may impact the effects of combining alcohol and Mounjaro include the amount of alcohol consumed and other medications being taken simultaneously.
• Similar risks exist when combining alcohol with other Diabetes medications, including Ozempic, insulin, and metformin.
• It is always essential to consult your doctor or healthcare provider before consuming alcohol while taking Mounjaro.

What Is Mounjaro?

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a once-weekly injectable medication manufactured by Eli Lilly. It’s indicated for blood sugar control in adult patients with Type 2 Diabetes and is often prescribed in conjunction with other diabetic medications, such as insulin.

Recently, tirzepatide was also approved by the FDA under the brand name Zepbound. Zepbound is identical to Mounjaro but is marketed for weight loss and chronic weight management in adults who are obese or overweight with at least one weight-related medical condition.

Mounjaro comes in prefilled, single-patient-use injectable pens and its dosage is usually titrated up every four weeks under the supervision of a doctor until an effective maintenance dose is reached.

How Does Mounjaro Work?

Mounjaro is the first medication in its class of dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists to be approved by the FDA. When injected, it mimics the above two incretin hormones (known as GIP and GLP-1), binds to their receptor sites, and triggers a variety of responses throughout the body, including:

• The increase of insulin secretion in the pancreas
• The inhibition of sugar production in the liver
• The slowing down of gastric emptying
• The reduction of hunger/cravings
• The improvement of metabolic function (fat burning)

Mounjaro and Zepbound are currently two of the most effective prescription drugs on the market for blood sugar regulation and weight loss.

How Alcohol Can Affect Blood Sugar Levels

We’ve established that tirzepatide works to effectively lower blood sugar levels and alcohol is also known to do the same.

When you first consume alcohol, your body experiences a brief blood sugar spike as it processes the calories. But, within a short period of time, alcohol affects the pancreas and causes extra insulin to be secreted. This naturally inhibits sugar production in the liver and causes blood sugar levels to drop (the amount they drop depends on a variety of factors but is directly correlated to the amount of alcohol consumed).

How does the information above impact the relationship between alcohol and Mounjaro? Let’s take a closer look:

Mounjaro and Alcohol Interactions

The FDA has not issued any specific warnings against combining Mounjaro with alcohol. That being said, the absence of warnings doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s nothing to worry about.

The truth is that both alcohol and Mounjaro decrease blood sugar levels and that low blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia, can be a dangerous (even life-threatening) condition. While many factors (including the dose of Mounjaro you’re on, the amount of alcohol you consume, any other medications you’re taking, and your body’s natural chemistry) may contribute to the impact of alcohol on your body while taking Mounjaro, hypoglycemia should be considered as a potential risk and taken into consideration.

In addition, here are some other considerations to keep in mind when evaluating the safety of drinking alcohol while on tirzepatide drugs:

• The symptoms associated with alcohol consumption are similar to, and can mask, the symptoms of hypoglycemia. Both may be associated with a rapid pulse, confusion, poor coordination, slurred speech, dizziness, and more.
• Alcohol may exacerbate Mounjaro side effects you’re already experiencing or increase the likelihood that you’ll experience side effects, including nausea, vomiting, indigestion, diarrhea, and more.
• Your body’s reaction to combining Mounjaro and alcohol may differ depending on the quantity of alcohol you consume and whether or not food is eaten at the same time.

Can I Drink Alcohol While Taking Mounjaro?

Only your doctor can answer this question. Some patients are able to consume moderate amounts of alcohol while on Mounjaro, while others may be advised to avoid drinking altogether while on the drug. Every situation is unique.

Here are some important considerations to discuss with your doctor when evaluating whether or not drinking alcohol may be safe for you while taking Mounjaro:

• Any medications you may be taking other than Mounjaro (including prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and even vitamins or natural supplements)
• Whether or not consuming alcohol is likely to cause you to forget to take prescription medications
• Whether or not you are at heightened risk of hypoglycemia
• Any side effects you are already experiencing while on Mounjaro
• Whether or not you already have, or are at increased risk for, high blood pressure, liver problems, or other serious conditions that may be further impacted by alcohol consumption

Your doctor or healthcare provider will consider all of these and more to help you determine a safe and effective plan for alcohol consumption while on Mounjaro.

When Can You Not Take Mounjaro?

In addition to its potential interactions with alcohol, Mounjaro also comes with its own contraindications. Your doctor may tell you not to take Mounjaro or Zepbound if you:

• Have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN 2
• Have a known allergy to any of Mounjaro’s ingredients (or have previously reacted to the drug)
• Are under the age of 18
• Have Type 1 Diabetes
• Are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant
• Have a history of severe digestive issues, diabetic retinopathy, pancreatitis, or gallbladder problems
• Are taking certain other medications

Other Common Mounjaro Side Effects

Like any medication, Mounjaro comes with a list of possible side effects.

Common mild side effects of Mounjaro can include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Constipation and/or diarrhea
• Indigestion
• Abdominal pain
• Decreased appetite
• Injection site reactions

More serious side effects of Mounjaro can include:

• Serious allergic reactions
• Severe hypoglycemia
• Severe gastrointestinal symptoms
• Vision changes
• Acute kidney injury
• Pancreatitis
• Gallbladder problems
• Thyroid tumors

It is crucial to speak with your doctor or healthcare provider if Mounjaro side effects are ongoing, severe, or impacting your overall quality of life.

Can You Drink Alcohol With Other Diabetes Medications?

Because alcohol consumption lowers blood sugar levels, hypoglycemia is often one of the most significant risks associated with consuming it while on antidiabetic medications (which also lower blood sugar levels to varying extents).

Ozempic

The guidelines for drinking alcohol while taking Ozempic are similar to those for drinking alcohol while taking Mounjaro. Hypoglycemia is the primary concern, but other risk factors also exist.

For further information, read our blog post titled Ozempic & Alcohol: Is It Safe?

Insulin

If you take insulin, you’re probably already aware that it’s vital to avoid consuming large amounts of alcohol and to closely monitor your blood sugar levels if your doctor does allow you to drink occasionally in moderation. Taking extra alcohol precautions is imperative if you are using both insulin and other antidiabetic medications.

Metformin

In addition to the risks associated with hypoglycemia, drinking alcohol while taking metformin can also increase lactate levels, which can lead to a higher risk of lactic acidosis, characterized by muscle pain, weakness, and rapid breathing.

Conclusion

To conclude, taking Mounjaro or Zepbound doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to cut out all alcohol, but it does mean that it’s essential to speak with your doctor and approach alcohol consumption with caution and responsibility. Every situation is unique, and you’ll need to follow your doctor’s advice carefully to avoid risks such as hypoglycemia and the potential worsening of Mounjaro side effects.

Are you currently seeking an affordable option for sourcing antidiabetic medications? Look no further than the knowledgeable and professional service offered by our leading team at Bisonpharmacy.com. Order Mounjaro or Ozempic today!