A recent study found that many people using medications for obesity, such as Mounjaro or Wegovy, report a decreased enjoyment of alcohol.
The study, which surveyed WeightWatchers members on obesity medications, found that around half of those who previously drank alcohol reduced their consumption after starting the medication. As was reported by NPR, Tamara Hall, 45, a mother of three, is one such example. She began using Mounjaro in 2023 as part of a WeightWatchers program to manage her obesity and elevated blood sugar. Hall has since lost over 100 pounds, and although she was never a heavy drinker, she now consumes significantly less alcohol.
Hall, whose blood sugar levels have improved, was a moderate drinker who previously enjoyed wine or cocktails at social events. Hall found that her tolerance for alcohol dramatically decreased after starting the medication. One drink would make her feel full and dizzy, an effect she hadn’t experienced before. As a result, cutting back on alcohol was easy.
She said:
I feel amazing… It’s life-changing… I didn’t know it would have this effect — I just don’t crave alcohol anymore, and that’s a huge benefit.
The findings align with a new study published in JAMA Network Open. The study, “Alcohol Use and Antiobesity Medication Treatment,” explored the impact of anti-obesity medications (AOMs) on alcohol use among people in the WeightWatchers telehealth weight management program (January 2022–November 2023). As reported by Medical Xpress, participants had a mean age of 43 and were primarily female (86%). They were prescribed various AOMs, including GLP-1 receptor agonists (e.g., liraglutide, semaglutide), metformin, and bupropion/naltrexone (Contrave).
Of the 7,491 participants who used alcohol at baseline, 45.3% reduced their consumption, while 52.4% showed no change, and 2.3% increased their intake. Those with higher obesity levels and baseline alcohol use were more likely to reduce alcohol consumption. Notably, those taking bupropion and naltrexone had the greatest reduction in alcohol use, likely due to naltrexone’s ability to reduce cravings and rewarding effects, though this effect seemed tied to weight loss rather than the medication itself.
When adjusting for weight loss, the effect of bupropion and naltrexone disappeared, suggesting weight loss as a key factor in alcohol reduction. If AOMs reduce alcohol use through weight loss (e.g., via GLP-1 RAs), adjusting for weight loss might obscure the true contribution of the medications.
Interestingly, the reduction in alcohol consumption was observed across both newer obesity medications like Mounjaro and older drugs like metformin. “What surprised me was that alcohol consumption decreased among people using all types of anti-obesity medications,” says study author Lisa Matero, a health psychologist at Henry Ford Health. One possible explanation is that being part of a weight management program could encourage overall healthier behavior changes.
The study’s results add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that GLP-1 drugs, such as Mounjaro, have wide-ranging effects on behavior. Clinical trials of these medications have shown that participants report changes in their habits, such as drinking less or shopping less. Dr. Robert Kushner, a researcher at Northwestern University, explains that these drugs influence both appetite and the brain’s reward system, which may explain why many people also experience reduced cravings for alcohol.
While research on the topic continues, the findings highlight the potential of weight-loss medications not only for weight management but also for altering lifestyle habits like alcohol consumption. This comes at a time when there’s growing cultural awareness around the benefits of reducing alcohol intake for overall health and wellness.
Your responses and feedback are welcome!
Source: “Dizzy after one drink? Social drinkers on obesity drugs lose the taste for alcohol,” NPR, 12/2/24
Source: “WeightWatchers combined with weight loss medications may alter alcohol consumption, study finds,” Medical XPress, 12/1/24
Image by Heshan Perera on Unsplash
FAQs and Media Requests: 
