If you have no desire to drink alcohol on your GLP-1 medication, you’re not imagining things. Preliminary research shows it happens, though scientists don’t know exactly why. “There are reports of persons using GLP-1 inhibitors losing their interest in alcohol,” says Anne McTiernan, MD, PhD, an internist and epidemiologist at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle, who studies ways to prevent cancer through lifestyle changes like weight loss. “One study is even suggesting that GLP-1 inhibitors should be looked at for use in alcohol addiction disorders for this reason,” Dr. McTiernan adds.
So take this as good news. “If a person on GLP-1 finds they have lost interest in alcohol, I’d say enjoy that feeling, pass on the drink, and celebrate with sparkling water or something else nonalcoholic,” advises McTiernan. “There are many excellent nonalcoholic drinks available now,” she adds.
