Does Ozempic cause hair loss?

Not directly. Hair shedding (telogen effluvium) is reported by some patients ~3 months into rapid weight loss — typical of any rapid-weight-loss state, not unique to GLP-1.

Can you drink alcohol on Wegovy?

No hard contraindication, but alcohol tolerance often drops sharply on GLP-1. Many patients also report reduced desire for alcohol — likely a secondary effect of GLP-1 on the brain reward system.

Do I need to exercise on Wegovy?

Yes — resistance training specifically. Without it, 25-40% of weight lost on GLP-1 comes from lean muscle. Cardio is a bonus; resistance is the non-negotiable.

Can vegetarians or vegans take GLP-1?

Yes. Modern GLP-1 medications are produced via yeast fermentation, not animal sources. The pen device and packaging contain no animal-derived materials in current FDA-approved products.

Wegovy Diary: a 6-month chronicle

Wegovy Diary Month 2: the boring middle, first restaurant test, the scale catches up

Month 2 is when the routine settles. I'm at 0.5 mg, the food noise is permanently quieter, and I have my first real-restaurant test. The result surprised me.

By Marina S. · Composite patient persona, reviewed by MDReviewed by Jane Novak, MD, MPHPublished 2026-06-01

Week 5-6. Boring is good. I'm at 0.5 mg, no side effects, eating maybe 1,400 calories without trying, walking 6,000 steps a day. The scale moves down 0.5 to 1 lb a week. This is the rhythm everyone says to expect — slow, steady, predictable.

Week 7. First restaurant test. A friend's birthday dinner, Italian, big shared antipasto. I order the smallest pasta on the menu, eat half, and stop. Nobody comments. The waiter takes the leftover and I do not feel guilty.

Week 8. Dose step-up to 1.0 mg this Sunday. This is the dose where most patients see real weight-loss acceleration. Side-effect intensity ticks back up — mild nausea returns for three days, mild reflux for one. Hydration + protein-forward eating + no carbonation gets me through.

Quantified diary data. Week 5: 217 lb. Week 8 end: 211 lb. Month 2 total: −6 lb (cumulative −13 lb). Now at 1.0 mg.

Continue · Month 3

Wegovy Diary Month 3: 1.0 mg settles in, the friends-and-family question, body composition changes

See the full Wegovy drug profile

Common questions readers ask

Does Ozempic cause hair loss?: Not directly. Hair shedding (telogen effluvium) is reported by some patients ~3 months into rapid weight loss — typical of any rapid-weight-loss state, not unique to GLP-1.
Can you drink alcohol on Wegovy?: No hard contraindication, but alcohol tolerance often drops sharply on GLP-1. Many patients also report reduced desire for alcohol — likely a secondary effect of GLP-1 on the brain reward system.
Do I need to exercise on Wegovy?: Yes — resistance training specifically. Without it, 25-40% of weight lost on GLP-1 comes from lean muscle. Cardio is a bonus; resistance is the non-negotiable.
Can vegetarians or vegans take GLP-1?: Yes. Modern GLP-1 medications are produced via yeast fermentation, not animal sources. The pen device and packaging contain no animal-derived materials in current FDA-approved products.