Wegovy and Alcohol: What Users Really Experience
For many people, starting on Wegovy (semaglutide) is about more than just eating less and losing weight. It often changes how food feels, how cravings work, and—sometimes unexpectedly—how alcohol fits into life.
Across Reddit, users share stories about drinking on Wegovy. Some say their taste for alcohol has vanished. Others describe strange side effects—sulfur burps, sudden sickness, or hangovers after just a single glass. And a few can still enjoy a drink, though often less than before.
This article explores how Wegovy reshapes people’s relationship with alcohol, drawing on real user accounts.
"Alcohol Just Doesn’t Hit the Same Anymore"
One of the most common themes is that alcohol feels different. For some, the buzz disappears entirely.
"When I drink wine, I never get tipsy no matter how much I drink. I used to get tipsy after about 1.5 glasses. Now…nothing." -GearDown22
"Same experience, no buzz or chemical reaction in my brain. It just made me full and not worth the empty calories so I’m sober now." -blackaubreyplaza
"The one time I had five glasses of wine on Wegovy, I never even felt buzzed, but I had the worst hangover of my life the next day." -ManicPixiePlatypus
For many, the result is confusion: drinks go down but don’t deliver the same effects. Some miss the social "buzz," while others see it as a blessing—one less temptation in their lives.
Side Effects: From Sleepiness to Stomach Trouble
Not everyone simply feels nothing. For some, alcohol on Wegovy brings distinctly unpleasant side effects.
"I get so sick on wine now and diarrhea." -Pretty_Tooth8913
"Well 1.5 glasses of wine gave me immediate sulfur burps and I woke up six in the morning because I dreamt I shat myself." -Delicious-Title-5927
"I had a cider at the pumpkin patch yesterday and was violently sick about 20 min after I drank it. I won’t drink again on this med. I learned my lesson." -[deleted]
From bloating and nausea to sulfur burps and explosive diarrhoea, these reactions can be so severe that people swear off alcohol entirely. Even those who try again often find the risk outweighs the reward.
Losing the Desire to Drink
For many, the biggest change isn’t side effects—it’s simply not wanting alcohol anymore.
"I could drink like a fish at the bars. Now, ZERO desire. I tried, and it felt like I was forcing myself." -[deleted]
"I used to drink daily. Now I have no interest in drinking. Robust glass of red? Nah. Chilled beer in the sun? Forcing it down." -BeanieMul1983
"No more alcohol cravings. I could easily drink 1+ bottles of wine a few times a week and now I have zero desire." -[deleted]
This loss of interest can be liberating. Alcohol provides empty calories, increases the risk of hangovers, and can hinder weight loss. For some, Wegovy has been the unexpected nudge they needed to cut back—or quit altogether.
When Drinking Still Works (For Some)
Not everyone loses the taste or tolerance. Some people can still drink, albeit often in smaller amounts.
"I’ve been on Wegovy for several months and have had no problem drinking (1-3 drinks and I’m on .5). It does curb my desire to drink which I think is a good thing!" -Secure-Proof-4872
"I’ve been fine drinking on it. I drink way, way less often, and when I do I usually don’t want nearly as much as I used to." -zgirl88
"I can drink fine. I did notice that with 1.7 I just have absolutely no desire. Not even socially." -Phoenixrebel11
This group tends to drink moderately, often preferring spirits or seltzers over beer or wine. Still, most note that their overall desire is down, and their tolerance may be lower.
Potential Benefits Beyond Weight Loss
Why does alcohol feel so different? One theory is that Wegovy affects dopamine—the brain’s reward system—similar to medications used for alcohol dependence.
"Wegovy is blunting the dopamine hit from drinking. Another drug that does this is Naltrexone, used to treat Alcohol Use Disorder." -Majestic_Salad_I1
"Drinking on Wegovy was different but had the same take it or leave it effect as Naltrexone. The difference for me is that on Wegovy I have 0 side effects." -ianwelles
"I started Wegovy for weight loss but found myself unexpectedly losing all interest in alcohol which I have a problem with. The alcohol noise reduced at the first dose." -CopingMasha
Researchers are now exploring whether GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy could play a role in treating addictions—not just to alcohol, but also to nicotine and other substances. For some patients, this side effect could be life-changing.
Community Tips for Those Who Still Drink
For people who continue to drink on Wegovy, the community has plenty of practical advice:
"If you are going to drink, stick to something like vodka soda or seltzers. NO wine, NO beer, and NO sugary cocktails like margaritas." -frCraigMiddlebrooks
"When I went bar hopping I took Zofran and drank a water with liquid IV before, tried to match my water to alcohol intake while out and drank another electrolyte supplement." -dinohunter22
"Space out your drinks and make sure you drink water and eat food. Just don’t overdo it." -churley79
Tips include:
- Stick to clear spirits or low-sugar options.
- Alternate with water or electrolytes.
- Eat beforehand to avoid nausea.
- Drink slowly; tolerance may be lower than expected.
These strategies don’t eliminate the risks, but they may help reduce discomfort.
When to Avoid Alcohol Entirely
While some can tolerate a drink or two, others experience such severe reactions that abstinence becomes the safest choice.
Persistent nausea, diarrhoea, migraines, or simply never feeling the buzz are all common reasons people give up alcohol while on Wegovy. And because alcohol carries empty calories, it can undermine weight loss progress even if side effects aren’t severe.
Pharmacist Alessandro Grenci explains:
"Alcohol and Wegovy don’t have a direct dangerous interaction, but the way semaglutide slows digestion and alters appetite means alcohol often feels different—and not in a good way. For many patients, the reduced desire to drink is actually a positive side effect. My advice is moderation, caution, and listening closely to your body. If drinking consistently makes you feel unwell, it’s best avoided."
Conclusion: A Changed Relationship with Alcohol
Drinking on Wegovy is unpredictable. For some, alcohol no longer provides a buzz; for others, it causes sickness; and for many, the desire simply fades away. A smaller group can still drink moderately without issues, but even they often find themselves drinking less.
Whether this change feels like a loss or a gift depends on the individual. But the overall message from users is clear: Wegovy reshapes not only how we eat, but also how we drink—and often for the better.
By reducing cravings, making alcohol less appealing, or causing unpleasant side effects, Wegovy nudges many toward moderation or sobriety. And while the science is still catching up, patient stories show that this medication is changing more than waistlines—it’s reshaping lifestyles.
