• Real Housewives of Dubai star Caroline Stanbury revealed that she “projectile vomited” at a bar while she was on Ozempic.
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and upset stomach are side effects associated with Ozempic and can become worse when the medication is combined with alcohol.
• However, research shows that Ozempic might also have applications in treating alcohol use disorder.
• Research suggests the drug may help suppress people’s cravings for alcohol.

Speaking on Page Six’s Virtual Reali-Tea podcast, Real Housewives of Dubai star Caroline Stanbury revealed that she had once “projectile vomited” at West Hollywood bar The Abbey due to her Ozempic use.

Her confession was in response to host Evan Real’s admission that he had stopped drinking a couple of months before due to the way alcohol use worsened the side effects of the weight loss drug.

Stanbury’s episode of vomiting occurred after having only a small amount of alcohol, she told the host.

“You drink half a glass, and you’re like, literally — There’s no way to run to the bathroom,” she laughed.

“If you haven’t projectile vomited on Ozempic, you haven’t lived yet,” she added.

Why people using Ozempic have can have negative reactions to alcohol

Paul Daidone, MD, FASAM, Medical Director at True Self Recovery, said that the reaction between Ozempic and alcohol experienced by Stanbury and Real occurs because of how this GLP-1 drug works.

Ozempic mimics glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a hormone that regulates blood sugar by triggering insulin secretion. It also slows down stomach emptying and reduces hunger, which is the effect that helps people lose weight.

Slower stomach emptying means that food and drinks remain in the stomach for longer, which can either make people feel fuller longer or, in some cases, feel nauseated, said Daidone.

Another factor that can lead to vomiting in those who are using Ozempic to treat diabetes is the fact that alcohol can cause “dramatic shifts” in blood sugar.

“Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar might occur due to a combination of Ozempic’s effect on reducing glucose as well as alcohol’s impact on the same compound,” Daidone explained, “and its symptoms may include nausea and vomiting.”

How Ozempic might help reduce alcohol consumption

There is research indicating that Ozempic could have positive effects on those living with alcohol use disorder (AUD), a medical condition that occurs when people are unable to control their alcohol use despite experiencing negative consequences.

For example, a case series published on November 27, 2023, in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, found that 100% of six weight loss patients who were using the generic version of Ozempic, semaglutide, also had a significant reduction in their AUD symptoms.

Explaining why Ozempic might have this effect, Michael Villarreal, CADC, CEO of Tres Vistas Recovery, noted that studies have shown that GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic impact reward pathways in the brain that could be involved in addictive behaviors.

“By modifying these neural circuits, Ozempic could attenuate alcohol’s pleasurable effects, thereby reducing its attractiveness and possibly promoting abstinence,” he said.

Villarreal further discussed Ozempic’s ability to induce feelings of satiety while suppressing cravings.

“[I]t can help one not feel like drinking when they are out with friends or trying to cope with stressors,” he said.

“This unique characteristic of having a dual effect on both physical and mental facets of addiction makes Ozempic a viable choice for those who want to quit or cut down on their drinking while managing conditions like diabetes or obesity,” he concluded.

Takeaway

Experts say side effects associated with Ozempic, such as nausea and vomiting, can become worse with alcohol use.

For people living with diabetes who are taking Ozempic, alcohol use can cause blood sugar to drop even more, also worsening the side effects associated with GLP-1 drugs.

However, Ozempic does offer promise for those who are dealing with alcohol use disorder. It may impact the reward pathway in the brain, making alcohol less desirable. It could also work to suppress cravings.