Can you drink alcohol while taking retatrutide?
Here’s everything we know so far about the unreleased weight loss drug and how it interacts with alcohol.
Here’s everything we know so far about the unreleased weight loss drug and how it interacts with alcohol.
Retatrutide is currently being studied in clinical trials as a new treatment for weight loss and type 2 diabetes. As it’s still in research stages, it’s not available for public use. This means we don’t know very much about how retatrutide interacts with alcohol yet.
What we do know is that retatrutide works by mimickingthree key hormones:
In comparison, Wegovy only mimics GLP-1, and Mounjaro mimics both GLP-1 and GIP. Because of the similarities between them all, we can use what we already know about Wegovy and Mounjaro to predict whether you can drink alcohol on retatrutide.
We don’t yet know if it’s safe to drink alcohol on retatrutide because it’s not available to the public yet. For a full overview of the safety information we do have so far, see our guide on whether retatrutide is safe.
Based on experience with current medicines, including alcohol and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) and semaglutide (Wegovy), people respond differently to alcohol. Many report stronger side effects such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness and dehydration, especially early on or during dose increases.
The usual advice is to avoid alcohol at those times. Once you’re settled, if you choose to drink, reintroduce small amounts slowly to test your own tolerance.
Retatrutide isn’t available yet, but Wegovy and Mounjaro are already helping people lose weight. Start your journey today with proven treatments and support that sticks.
Because it’s still in clinical trials, we don’t know if retatrutide can reduce alcohol cravings just yet. But early research on GLP-1s and alcohol consumption suggests that it might.
A small study gave low doses of semaglutide (Wegovy) to alcoholics who weren’t actively trying to stop drinking. Over nine weeks they found that the participants still drank, but they drank less, had fewer cravings, and experienced fewer days of heavy drinking compared to those who took the placebo.
We won’t know the side effects of retatrutide when combined with alcohol until it’s approved for use but it’s recommended that you limit drinking alcohol if you take the GLP-1s that are available.
Weight loss injections can cause gut-related side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and constipation. It’s the same for drinking alcohol. So, drinking alcohol with Mounjaro or Wegovy could make these symptoms more likely.
If you already have vomiting or diarrhoea from your injection, you may be dehydrated. Alcohol can dehydrate you further and may make symptoms worse.
You shouldn’t drink alcohol on GLP-1s like Mounjaro if you have diabetes or are taking other medications to control your blood sugar. Alcohol can cause blood sugar drops and GLP-1’s also work to reduce blood sugar, so together they can tip you into a low (hypoglycaemia). As retatrutide works in a similar way, it’s likely that you should avoid alcohol in these cases too.
Lastly, drinking alcohol with weight loss medications such as retatrutide might slow down your weight loss progress. It’s often high in calories and fuels your appetite for carbohydrates, counteracting the ways that GLP-1s work to manage weight loss.
"If you're using Voy and you experience any side effects, rest assured that our expert clinicians are just a message or phone call away. They can adjust your dose, prescribe medication to ease your symptoms, or simply offer reassurance.
Everyone responds differently to weight loss treatment and we'll help you find what feels right for you."
Phoebe Fox - Weight Loss Specialist
If you’re trying to lose weight (with or without injections), experts recommend that you cut down, or cut out, alcohol. This is because you consume fewer calories and lower your risk of stroke, liver disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
If you want to drink alcohol with your weight loss medication, there are ways to try and minimise your risk of side effects.
Everything in moderation
Avoid drinking if you’ve just started taking it, or if your dose has recently changed, because you may still be adapting and the risk of side effects is higher.
Start with one drink and keep an eye on any side effects. If you feel OK, the next time you drink you could have another, but never escalate to heavy drinking. Measure your serving sizes to avoid going over your limit.
Mindful eating and drinking
Drink water between alcoholic drinks to avoid dehydration.
Eat a balanced meal before or while you’re drinking. Drinking on an empty stomach can increase your risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) and stop your blood-alcohol level from spiking.
Track how you feel
Track how different alcoholic drinks affect your specific symptoms and weight loss results. If you notice increased nausea, dizziness, vomiting, or blood sugar issues, stop drinking.
Not sure where you stand? Calculate your BMI and find out what it means for you.
Retatrutide isn’t available yet, but Voy offers lots of science-backed options that work brilliantly. Our team of experts can help you start your weight loss journey today to get you one step closer to your health goals.You can access safe and effective weight loss medications like Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Orlistat from Voy. Take our quiz to find out if you’re eligible today.
Take a quick eligibility quiz to explore your options and see how we can support you.
Yes, they can still work, but alcohol often makes side effects more likely and can slow progress by adding extra calories and triggering cravings. If side effects flare, your clinician may advise pausing titration or holding a dose, which can delay your overall progress.
We don’t know if retatrutide affects alcohol tolerance as it’s still in clinical trials. Generally, the less you weigh, the more alcohol might affect you and lower your tolerance so you get drunk quicker.
In general, it’s best to avoid alcohol, including beer, wine or spirits, when you start treatment or increase your dose, as it can increase the risk of side effects. If you choose to drink once you’re settled, keep it moderate. Set a small limit, measure your drinks and alternate with water to stay hydrated. Stop and seek advice if you feel unwell.
Because retatrutide is still being researched, we don’t know if it’s dangerous to mix it with alcohol. From what we know about GLP-1s like Mounjaro and Wegovy, it’s safest to either not drink at all, or only drink small amounts in moderation.
There’s no research yet that looks at whether retatrutide can help with alcohol addiction. However, a small study that gave a group of alcoholics a low dose of semaglutide (Wegovy) over nine weeks showed an improvement in their drinking habits, including a reduction in cravings and heavy drinking days.
Disclaimer
At Voy, we ensure that everything you read in our blog is medically reviewed and approved. However, the information provided is not meant to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It should not be relied upon for specific medical advice.
¹“GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: Clinical Use and Safety.” BMJ, 2025, bmj.com/content/391/bmj.r2202.
²Jastreboff, A. M. et al. “Triple-Hormone Receptor Agonist Retatrutide for Obesity.” The New England Journal of Medicine, 2023, nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2301972.
³“TikTok Influencers and Telegram Sellers Fuel Parallel Market for Unlicensed Weight-Loss Drugs.” The Guardian, 11 Oct. 2025, theguardian.com/money/2025/oct/11/tiktok-influencers-telegram-whatsapp-parallel-market-unlicensed-weight-loss-drug-retatrutide-uk.
