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 mimicking three key hormones:
- GLP-1 (helps you feel full and keeps blood sugar in balance)
- GIP (supports insulin release and helps your body process food for energy)
- Glucagon (tells your body to burn fat for energy)
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.
Is it safe to 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.
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.
Does retatrutide reduce alcohol cravings?
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.
Side effects, retatrutide and alcohol
We won’t know the side effects of drinking alcohol with retatrutide 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.
Side effects support at Voy
"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."
Practical tips if you choose to drink on weight loss medicines
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.
Your weight loss journey
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.
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