Does Mounjaro help you drink less alcohol?

Jump to: What the research shows | Why this happens | Is it safe to drink on Mounjaro? | What to expect | Take home message

Research suggests that Mounjaro can significantly reduce your desire to drink alcohol.

One study showed that 50-71% of people taking Mounjaro reported drinking less, with many experiencing a complete loss of interest in alcoholic beverages.

This effect on lowering alcohol may be due to how Mounjaro affects the brain pathways involved in reward and craving, fundamentally changing how our brain responds to alcohol.

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a weight-loss injection that’s approved in the UK to treat those living with obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Still, its effect on alcohol consumption has led many researchers to suggest it could be approved to treat alcoholism in the future.

Many people discover this change without expecting it. You might find yourself naturally wanting fewer drinks or stopping after one when you previously would have had several.

What the research shows

Studies have consistently shown that Mounjaro has a positive impact on reducing alcohol consumption.

One notable study was conducted by researchers at Virginia Tech, who studied 153 people with obesity taking either Mounjaro or a similar medication called semaglutide (Ozempic).

They found people consumed 1.5 fewer drinks per drinking session and had fewer binge drinking episodes.

But what’s happening in real life is also telling. Researchers analysed over 68,000 social media posts from people taking these medications.

71.7% of posts about alcohol mentioned reduced cravings, drinking less, or finding alcohol less enjoyable.

Large-scale medical records paint a similar picture. A study tracking 1.3 million patients over eight years found that people taking Mounjaro had 50% fewer alcohol intoxication incidents and 56% fewer binge drinking episodes compared to those on other weight loss treatments.

What makes these findings particularly noteworthy is their consistency. Multiple lines of evidence now suggest that Mounjaro helps people drink less alcohol.

The effect appears to happen regardless of how much you initially drank. People who had occasional drinks and those with more regular drinking habits both reported similar reductions in their desire for alcohol.

Why this happens

The reason Mounjaro affects alcohol consumption lies in how both the medication and alcohol work in our brain.

Our brain has what we call a ‘reward system’ – essentially the circuits that make us feel good when we do certain things.

This system involves areas with names like the nucleus accumbens and ventral tegmental area, but think of them simply as our brain’s pleasure centres.

When we drink alcohol, it triggers these reward centres to release dopamine, a motivation hormone that’s also involved in pleasure and reward.

Over time, our brain can start craving these dopamine hits, which is why some of us may develop unhelpful drinking habits, like having a glass of wine while we cook dinner each night.

Mounjaro works by activating receptors called GLP-1 and GIP in our brain, including in these same reward centres.

When Mounjaro activates these receptors, it essentially ‘turns down the volume’ on our reward system’s response to alcohol.

Animal studies have shown that Mounjaro can reduce alcohol-triggered dopamine release.

This effect on dopamine means alcohol becomes less rewarding and pleasurable. Many people describe it as alcohol tasting different, feeling less satisfying, or simply not being as appealing as it once was.

This isn’t unique to Mounjaro. Other medications in this class, including Ozempic and Wegovy (semaglutide), show similar effects. This suggests it’s a fundamental property of how these medications work rather than something specific to one particular drug.

Is it safe to drink on Mounjaro?

You can drink alcohol while taking Mounjaro, but there are important safety considerations to understand.

The main risk is low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia). Both Mounjaro and alcohol can lower our blood glucose levels, and when combined, this effect can be more pronounced.

This is especially important if you’re taking Mounjaro for diabetes or haven’t eaten recently.

Signs of low blood sugar include dizziness, confusion, sweating, and feeling shaky. If you drink alcohol while on Mounjaro, make sure you’ve eaten and be aware of these symptoms.

Mounjaro commonly causes nausea and slows down digestion, and alcohol can make these effects worse.

Many people find they feel more nauseous than usual when drinking, even with smaller amounts than they previously tolerated.

The medication can also change how our body processes alcohol. Some people report feeling the effects of alcohol more quickly or intensely than before starting Mounjaro. This means we might need to drink significantly less to achieve the same effect.

What to expect

The alcohol reduction effect is likely to start within the first few weeks of starting Mounjaro, often before significant weight loss occurs.

You might notice that:

• Your usual alcoholic drinks taste different or less appealing
• You feel satisfied after one drink instead of wanting more
• You simply forget about having a drink, or don’t think about alcohol as much
• The social reward of drinking feels diminished

Not everyone experiences this effect to the same degree. While 50-71% of people report drinking less, individual responses may vary.

Some people notice a dramatic change, while others experience more subtle shifts in their drinking habits.

It’s worth noting that this effect occurs alongside Mounjaro’s primary benefits for weight loss and blood sugar control.

Many people find that drinking less alcohol actually supports their weight loss goals, creating a positive cycle.

The change often extends beyond just quantity. Many people report that the social or emotional role of alcohol in their lives shifts.

Activities previously associated with drinking become enjoyable without alcohol, and the automatic reach for a drink after work or during social events diminishes.

Take home message

Mounjaro’s ability to reduce alcohol consumption represents an unexpected but significant benefit for many people.

The effect is well-documented across multiple studies and appears to stem from the medication’s effect on brain reward pathways.

While you can safely drink alcohol while taking Mounjaro if you do so mindfully, many people find they naturally want to drink less anyway. This can support both your weight loss goals and overall health.

If you’re considering Mounjaro and have concerns about your alcohol consumption, this could be an additional benefit alongside the medication’s primary effects on weight.

However, if alcohol reduction is your primary goal, it’s important to discuss this with your healthcare provider, as Mounjaro isn’t currently prescribed specifically for this purpose.

The research continues to evolve, with several clinical trials now investigating these medications specifically for alcohol use disorders.

As our understanding grows, we may see new treatment approaches that harness these unexpected benefits.

Second Nature’s medication programme

Second Nature provides Mounjaro as part of our Mounjaro weight-loss programme.

Why should you choose Second Nature over other providers, assuming you’re eligible?

For peace of mind.

Second Nature has worked with the NHS for over 6 years, providing weight-loss programmes across the UK.

While our Mounjaro weight-loss programme is private and not currently used by the NHS, we’ve built the programme focusing on scientific evidence, patient safety, and data security.

We hope that our 6+ years of working with the NHS and building a track record of effective weight-loss results will give you peace of mind to give us a try.