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Can You Mix Weight Loss Drugs and Alcohol?

Medically reviewed by Leigh Ann Anderson, PharmD. Last updated on Nov 15, 2023.

Obesity or weight loss drugs may be prescribed in the short-term or the longer-term in addition to diet and exercise to treat weight gain. But even if you are losing weight with medications, you might still want to have a beer, a glass of wine or a cocktail every once in a while. So the question is - do weight loss drugs have interactions with alcohol?

The short answer is - it depends. Many weight loss drugs can interact with alcohol, but a few don't. That's why you should check for alcohol drug interactions with your healthcare provider.

Weight loss medications, such as the amphetamine derivatives like phentermine work in the brain (also known as the central nervous system or CNS). Adding alcohol to weight loss medications can lead to side effects with both drugs.

The effects of adding alcohol to certain weight loss medications can include:

Heart disease

The use of CNS stimulant weight loss drugs should be avoided with the use of alcohol, especially in patients with heart disease. When these amphetamine-like drugs are combined with alcohol, dangerous cardiovascular (heart) side effects such as rapid heart rate, chest pain, and blood pressure changes can occur.

Many weight loss or obesity drugs are also controlled substances, have addictive potential and can be misused.

Diabetes

Alcohol may affect blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in patients with diabetes. In general, moderate alcohol consumption generally does not affect blood sugar levels if your diabetes is under control. You should avoid using alcohol if your diabetes is not well controlled. 

However, both hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) may occur, based on how much you drink and how often. Avoid drinking alcohol on an empty stomach or following exercise, as it may increase the risk of hypoglycemia.

Many diabetes medications may lead to hypoglycemia as well, so it's best to ask your doctor about drinking alcohol if you have diabetes. 

Seizure risk

Drinking alcohol during treatment with bupropion and naltrexone (Contrave) should be minimized or avoided altogether due to reports of adverse nervous system and liver side effects. Contrave should not be used in patients undergoing an abrupt discontinuation of alcohol. Combining alcohol with bupropion or abruptly stopping alcohol use can increase the risk of a seizure.

If you frequently or excessively consume alcohol, discuss this with your doctor before starting treatment with bupropion and naltrexone (Contrave).

Liver toxicity

Liver toxicity may be increased if you combine alcohol with naltrexone (a component of Contrave). Signs of liver toxicity can include fever, chills, skin rash, nausea, unusual bleeding or bruising, dark-colored urine, pale (clay-colored) stools, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or stomach-area pain.

Learn More: Guide to Weight Loss Drugs

Table 1: Common Weight Loss Drugs

Generic Name Common Brand Names Drug Class / Schedule
amphetamine Evekeo, Evekeo ODT CNS Stimulant, CII
benzphetamine brands discontinued CNS Stimulant, CIII
bupropion and naltrexone Contrave Anorexiant
diethylpropion brands discontinued CNS Stimulant, CIV
liraglutide Saxenda GLP-1 Agonist
orlistat alli, Xenical Peripherally-acting antiobesity agent
phendimetrazine Bontril PDM CNS Stimulant, CIII
phentermine Adipex-P, Lomaira CNS Stimulant, CIV
phentermine and topiramate Qsymia CNS stimulant, anorexiant, CIV
semaglutide Wegovy GLP-1 Agonist
tirzepatide Zepbound GIP / GLP-1 Agonist

*This is not a complete list; always check with your doctor or pharmacist for drug interactions.

Do all weight loss drugs interact with alcohol?

No, not all weight loss drugs have drug interactions with alcohol. For example, orlistat (alli, Xenical) does not list alcohol drug interactions in their product labeling. alli is a weight-loss agent available over-the-counter, while Xenical is the prescription strength version.

Wegovy and Zepbound do not list alcohol as a potential drug-drug interaction in the labeling, but if you have type 2 diabetes, the use of alcohol might further increase your risk for low blood sugar.

Always check for drug interactions with your pharmacist or doctor to determine if it's safe to combine alcohol with any medicine.

Related: Drugs.com Drug Interaction Checker

Types of Drug Interactions With Alcohol

Sources

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer