Mounjaro and alcohol: Can you drink while on the medication?

So, you’ve started your weight loss journey with Mounjaro, but you’re wondering if that Friday night glass of wine is off the table?

We get it — balancing weight loss goals and your social life can be tricky. It’s time to tackle the burning question: can Mounjaro and alcohol coexist without sabotaging your progress? 

Before you swear off happy hour forever, let’s find out how consuming alcohol fits into the equation. We’ll explore whether drinking alcohol is safe while on Mounjaro, the potential risks to keep in mind, and how Mounjaro interacts with other weight loss medications.

Can you drink alcohol while on Mounjaro?

If you're a social drinker or just enjoy a glass of wine with dinner, you might be wondering if Mounjaro and alcohol can mix. The answer isn’t a straightforward yes or no, but instead a “proceed with caution.”

Mounjaro (also known as tirzepatide) is a dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist, which helps regulate appetite and cravings, making it easier for those on their weight loss journey to stick to a calorie deficit [1].

The Juniper Programme includes medications like Mounjaro and offers personalised support for those looking to lose weight safely and effectively. While Mounjaro doesn't directly interact with alcohol in a dangerous way, combining the two could potentially interfere with your weight loss progress [2].

Alcohol contains empty calories, meaning it provides little nutritional value while still adding to your daily calorie intake. When your goal is to lose weight, those extra calories can be counterproductive [3].

Moreover, drinking alcohol can lower your inhibitions and lead to increased cravings, especially for unhealthy, high-calorie foods — something Mounjaro is designed to help you avoid.

Additionally, because Mounjaro slows down stomach emptying and helps you feel full longer, drinking alcohol may amplify this effect, potentially leading to discomfort, bloating, or nausea.

While moderate drinking may be acceptable, it's always best to consult a healthcare provider (such as your Juniper team of experts) for personalised advice on how alcohol fits into your weight loss journey with Mounjaro.

Potential risks to consider

While Mounjaro and alcohol don't typically cause dangerous interactions, there are still several risks worth considering before having a drink.

These risks may impact both your overall health and your progress toward weight loss goals.

Increased appetite and cravings

One of the main benefits of Mounjaro is its ability to curb cravings and suppress appetite by targeting the reward centre of the brain. However, alcohol can undermine this effect.

Drinking often lowers inhibitions and makes it harder to stick to a healthy eating plan. You may find yourself reaching for high-calorie, nutrient-poor snacks or even eating more than usual when alcohol is involved.

Added calories

Alcohol is notorious for being high in calories but low in nutrients. A standard glass of wine can contain around 120 calories, while a pint of beer may pack over 150 calories. If you’re enjoying a cocktail with mixers, the calorie count can skyrocket even further.

It's not just about how much alcohol you drink, but the types of alcohol as well. Making lower-calorie  choices (like a vodka lime soda instead of a beer) can make all the difference.

When you’re trying to lose weight, these extra calories can easily derail your efforts, especially if you’re not adjusting your food intake to account for them.

Slowed metabolism

Mounjaro works to safely increase your metabolic rate, helping your body burn more calories even at rest. However, alcohol can have the opposite effect by slowing down your metabolism.

When you consume alcohol, your body prioritises processing it over other metabolic functions like burning fat [4]. This can stall the weight loss process, making it harder to shed those extra pounds.

Dehydration

Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it increases urine production and can lead to dehydration [5]. Proper hydration is crucial for anyone trying to lose weight, as it helps keep your metabolism running smoothly and supports healthy digestion.

If you're mixing Mounjaro and alcohol, staying hydrated is even more important because the medication relies on your digestive system functioning properly to help regulate hunger and fullness [2].

Drinking alcohol without compensating for its dehydrating effects could lead to discomfort and disrupt your progress.

Blood sugar fluctuations

GLP-1/GIP medications like Mounjaro help stabilise blood sugar levels, which can be beneficial for those with a personal or family history of type 2 diabetes or prediabetes [6].

However, when you drink alcohol, it can cause blood sugar levels to fluctuate, particularly if consumed on an empty stomach.

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can lead to symptoms such as dizziness, confusion, and irritability, which can be dangerous if not addressed [7]. If you’re managing blood sugar levels with Mounjaro, it’s essential to be mindful of alcohol’s impact on your body.

Can you drink alcohol while taking other weight-loss medications?

Mounjaro isn’t the only weight loss medication on the market, and you might be wondering if the same rules apply to other drugs designed for weight management.

Let’s take a look at how alcohol intake interacts with a few other common weight-loss medications.

Wegovy

Wegovy, another injectable weight loss medication, is a GLP-1 receptor agonist like Mounjaro. It works by curbing appetite and regulating cravings, but the same caution applies when mixing it with alcohol  [10].

Since Wegovy affects digestion and metabolism, it’s always wise to chat with your healthcare provider about the safety of moderate alcohol intake while on the medication.

While semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy, isn’t known to directly interact with alcohol, both can impact blood sugar levels, potentially causing low blood sugar (or hypoglycemia) [7].

Drinking alcohol in larger quantities may reduce the effectiveness of semaglutide. You can access Wegovy through the Juniper Programme.

Phentermine

Phentermine is a different type of weight loss medication, often prescribed as an appetite suppressant. Unlike GLP-1 medications, Phentermine stimulates the central nervous system and is designed to reduce hunger by boosting energy levels.

Mixing Phentermine with alcohol is generally not recommended, as the combination can lead to an increased risk of side effects like dizziness, headaches, and elevated heart rate [11].

Additionally, alcohol can counteract the appetite-suppressing effects of Phentermine, making it harder to stick to a reduced-calorie diet.

Other Mounjaro interactions to keep in mind

While we’ve covered alcohol, there are certain drug interactions to be aware of if you’re taking Mounjaro.

It’s important to understand how certain foods, medications, and lifestyle habits might affect the way Mounjaro works in your body.

Medications

If you’re taking other medications, it’s crucial to discuss potential Mounjaro drug interactions with your doctor. For example, some medications that regulate blood sugar levels, like insulin or sulfonylureas, can interact with GLP-1 medications, leading to a higher risk of hypoglycemia.

Your healthcare provider can help you adjust dosages or monitor your blood sugar levels closely to avoid complications. One of the most significant medication interactions with Mounjaro is with the contraceptive pill.

A 2024 study found that Mounjaro can affect how birth control pills are absorbed, possibly lowering their effectiveness and increasing the risk of unplanned pregnancies.[12]. It’s recommended to switch to a non-oral form of birth control when taking Mounjaro to mitigate this risk. 

Foods

Certain foods may affect how well Mounjaro works in your body. For instance, highly processed or sugary foods can cause blood sugar spikes, which can counteract the medication’s ability to regulate blood glucose levels.

Sticking to a balanced diet rich in whole foods like vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats can help you get the most out of Mounjaro and support your weight loss goals.

Lifestyle habits

In addition to medication and food interactions, lifestyle factors like stress and sleep can impact how well Mounjaro works for you.

Chronic stress can elevate cortisol levels, which may interfere with weight loss and appetite regulation. Similarly, poor sleep can affect hunger hormones and lead to increased cravings or overeating.

Adopting healthy habits like managing stress through relaxation techniques and prioritising quality sleep can enhance the effectiveness of Mounjaro in your weight loss journey.

So, can you drink alcohol while taking Mounjaro? While there are no major safety concerns with moderate alcohol consumption, it’s essential to consider the potential risks — such as increased appetite, empty calories, and blood sugar fluctuations — that can interfere with your weight loss progress when you combine Mounjaro and alcohol.

Supporting your weight loss journey

If you're considering weight loss medications, or are currently using Mounjaro, you might like to consider Wegovy — another GLP-1 medication.

From 1 September 2025, Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Mounjaro (tirzepatide), will increase its UK list price to align with other developed countries. This nationwide change applies to providers including pharmacies, private clinics, and digital platforms.

In response, we’ve lowered the price of our Wegovy programme by 25%, and we’re making it easier for patients to switch without starting over, so that effective treatment remains within reach for as many people as possible.

Can you switch from Mounjaro to Wegovy?

If you've been wondering if you can switch from Mounjaro to Wegovy, the good news is that it's both safe and straightforward.

When making the switch, Juniper patients don’t need to restart at the lowest dose. If clinically appropriate, they can continue at a higher dose aligned with recent treatment history. We also only require a 7-day gap between your last Mounjaro dose and your first Wegovy dose — unlike most providers, who require 28 days.

At Juniper, we make that switch seamless and fully supported — so you can protect your progress without paying more than you need to. Our clinical switching protocol is is simple and safe:

• ‍Review — Your clinician assesses your treatment history and dose tolerance.‍
• Match — If eligible, you start on an equivalent high dose to avoid losing progress.‍
• Transition — Only a 7-day window is required between your last Mounjaro dose and your first Wegovy dose (most providers require 28 days).‍
• Support — Pharmacist check-ins, dose adjustments, and lifestyle guidance keep you on track.

Start your Wegovy switch today →

Mounjaro vs Wegovy

Both Wegovy and Mounjaro are considered the gold standard when it comes to aiding weight loss efforts. Thus far, the two medications haven't been directly compared to each other in medical trials.

It's long been thought that Mounjaro leads to more significant weight loss outcomes than Wegovy but with recent research, that is changing.

In clinical trials, patients on the highest possible dose of Wegovy lost up to 20.7% of their body weight, compared to 20.9% with Mounjaro at its highest dose — showing that both can be highly effective when used consistently and with the right support [13][14]. With Juniper, Wegovy is delivered as part of a complete programme that includes expert care, coaching, and tracking tools — to help you get the most from your treatment.

This higher dose of Wegovy isn’t available just yet, but it’s expected to launch in the UK soon.

With our Programme, you can access weight loss medication tailored to your health and goals — never one-size-fits-all. Our app helps you track progress, connect with your care team, adjust medication as needed, and access expert support. You'll also get structured tools to build lasting habits and ongoing care.

We help you make lifestyle and habit changes, and we’re in it with you for the long run, having helped thousands of women achieve their weight loss goals.

Image credit: Pexels/Matilda Wormwood