Real Housewives Star ‘Projectile Vomited’ Drinking Alcohol on Ozempic

There are two kinds of nights out: the kind where you wake up with a funny story, and the kind where your body says,
“Actually, we’re going to file a formal complaint.” Somewhere between those two lives the headline-making moment when
Real Housewives of Dubai star Caroline Stanbury said she “projectile vomited” after drinking alcohol while on Ozempic.^[1][2]
Funny? In the way that slapstick is funnyuntil you remember it’s your stomach doing the stunts.

Her story didn’t just land as reality-TV gossip. It hit a cultural nerve because Ozempic (semaglutide) and other GLP-1 medications
have become mainstream conversationsometimes as diabetes treatments, sometimes as weight-loss tools, and sometimes as the uninvited
guest at brunch who makes everyone order smaller portions. Add alcohol to the mix, and things can get… messy.^[3][8]

This article breaks down what happened, why alcohol can make Ozempic side effects worse, what “safe-ish” might look like for some people,
and the red flags that mean “put the drink down and call your clinician.” We’ll keep it real, practical, and (mostly) barf-free.

What Happened: The Story Behind the “Projectile Vomit” Moment

Stanbury shared that she had a rough reaction after drinking while taking Ozempic, describing an incident at The Abbey in West Hollywood.^[1][2]
Reports recount her saying she didn’t even drink mucharound “half a glass”before things escalated quickly.^[6]
In other words: not a wild night of cocktails, but a small sip that apparently hit like a wrecking ball.

The punchline (because she’s Caroline Stanbury) came with a joke along the lines of: if you haven’t projectile vomited on Ozempic,
you haven’t lived. The public reaction, however, was less “haha” and more “wait… should I be worried?”^[3][4]

It’s worth saying plainly: not everyone who takes Ozempic will vomit if they drink. But nausea and vomiting are well-known possible side effects of Ozempic,
and alcohol can pile on in a way that turns “mild queasy” into “find the nearest exit and apologize to the furniture.”^[5][9]

Ozempic 101: What It Is and Why Your Stomach Gets a Vote

Ozempic is a prescription medication containing semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It’s FDA-approved to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes,
and it’s also associated with weight lossone reason it’s become a household name.^[5]
(For weight management specifically, semaglutide is also sold as Wegovy, which has a different FDA-approved indication. Different label, same star ingredient.)

One of the ways semaglutide works is by slowing gastric emptyingmeaning food leaves your stomach more slowly. That can help you feel fuller longer,
but it can also set the stage for gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, and general “my stomach is mad at me.”^[5][6]

If your digestive system were a nightclub, Ozempic is the bouncer who starts letting people out one at a time. Great for crowd control.
Not always great if you decide to invite alcohol in and it shows up wearing chaos like a sequined jacket.

Why Alcohol Can Feel Worse on Ozempic

Here’s the core issue: Ozempic and alcohol can overlap in the exact same problem areasyour stomach and your blood sugar.
Even if there isn’t a single dramatic “direct interaction,” the combination can amplify effects that are already common with each one separately.^[9][12][13]

1) Double-team on nausea and vomiting

Ozempic can cause nausea and vomiting, especially when you’re starting or increasing your dose.^[5][7]
Alcohol can irritate the stomach lining and trigger nausea on its own. Put them together and some people experience a “1 + 1 = 11” effect,
where the discomfort multiplies faster than your group chat can type “u ok???”^[8][9]

2) Slower stomach emptying can make alcohol unpredictable

Because semaglutide slows gastric emptying, the timing of how you feel after a drink can get weird: you might feel fine at first and then suddenly not fine later.
That delayed “uh-oh” is one reason people report being caught off guard.^[8][11]

3) Blood sugar complications (especially for people with diabetes)

Alcohol can lower blood sugar, particularly if you drink without eating, or if you’re taking other diabetes medications like insulin or sulfonylureas.
Ozempic alone has a low risk of hypoglycemia, but the risk can increase when alcohol enters the sceneor when Ozempic is combined with other glucose-lowering meds.^[10][13]

4) Dehydration + vomiting is a bad combo

Vomiting and diarrhea can lead to fluid loss. Alcohol is also dehydrating. And dehydration is not just “I’m thirsty,”
it can become a medical concernespecially if it contributes to kidney stress while you’re already dealing with GI side effects.^[7][9]

Who’s Most Likely to Have a Bad Time Mixing Ozempic and Alcohol?

There’s no single universal rule because bodies vary. But certain situations raise the odds that alcohol will make Ozempic side effects worse:

• You’re early in treatment (first weeks) or recently increased your dosea common window for stronger nausea.^[11]
• You already have GI side effects (nausea, reflux, constipation, diarrhea) from Ozempic.^[6][8]
• You drink on an empty stomach (hello, “just one quick cocktail” that turns into a slow-motion disaster).^[11]
• You have diabetes and are at higher risk for blood sugar swingsespecially if you use insulin or sulfonylureas.^[10][13]
• You have a history of pancreatitis or gallbladder issuesreasons to be extra cautious and speak to your prescriber.^[5]

And then there’s the wildcard factor: tolerance can change with weight loss, reduced appetite, and eating less overall.
If you’re consuming fewer calories, alcohol can hit hardersometimes even if you’re drinking the same amount you “used to handle.”

Practical Guidance: If You Drink, How to Lower the Risk

Medical sources commonly land on the same theme: you may not have to avoid alcohol entirely, but you should be cautious, start small, and personalize the plan with your clinicianespecially if you have diabetes or notable side effects.^[9][11][13]

Start with “tiny test” drinking

If you choose to drink, consider testing your tolerance with a small amount (think: one standard drink, slowly).
Your goal is not to “keep up,” it’s to collect data. You are basically running a personal clinical trialexcept the funding is your own dignity.

Never drink on an empty stomach

Eat first. Protein and fiber can help stabilize blood sugar and reduce stomach irritation.
Also: Ozempic can blunt appetite, so “I’m not hungry” is not the same as “I’m fueled enough for alcohol.”^[11]

Hydrate like it’s your side quest

Alternate water between drinks. If you feel nausea creeping in, stop alcohol and focus on fluids.
Persistent vomiting, diarrhea, or inability to keep fluids down is a reason to contact a healthcare professional promptly.^[7]

Avoid dose-change days (and the day after)

Many people feel the most GI sensitivity when starting or increasing a GLP-1 dose.
Consider skipping alcohol during those windows and reintroducing only if you’re feeling stable.^[11]

Know your “stop signs”

Stop drinking immediately if you feel significant nausea, dizziness, shakiness, sweating, confusion, or severe abdominal pain.
If you have diabetes, monitor blood glucose as advised by your clinician, especially if symptoms suggest hypoglycemia.^[10][13]

When to Seek Medical Care

Some symptoms are “normal unpleasant.” Others are “don’t wait this out.” Seek urgent medical guidance if you have:

• Severe or persistent vomiting or inability to keep fluids down (risk of dehydration).^[7]
• Severe abdominal pain that doesn’t go away (especially if it radiates to the back), which can be a warning sign of pancreatitis.^[5]
• Symptoms of low blood sugar (confusion, faintness, sweating, shaking), especially if you take insulin or a sulfonylurea.^[10]
• Signs of allergic reaction (swelling, trouble breathing)rare, but a medical emergency.^[5]

Bottom line: if your body is behaving like it’s trying to eject the entire evening, treat that as informationnot entertainment.

The Plot Twist: GLP-1 Drugs May Reduce Alcohol Cravings

Here’s the unexpected turn: while some people feel worse when they drink on Ozempic, others report they simply want alcohol less.
This has sparked serious research into GLP-1 medications as potential tools for alcohol use disorder (AUD).^[3][14]

In 2025, a randomized clinical trial in JAMA Psychiatry evaluated once-weekly semaglutide in adults with AUD and found reductions in craving and some drinking outcomes,
supporting the case for larger trials.^[14] Researchers and clinicians have also explored observational data suggesting GLP-1 use may be associated with lower risk of AUD-related hospitalizations,
though observational studies can’t prove cause-and-effect on their own.^[15]

Translation: we’re in “promising, early, still-being-studied” territory. Nobody should start Ozempic just to drink less without medical supervision.
But it’s an active area of research, and it helps explain why so many people say they feel “meh” about alcohol once they’re on a GLP-1.

Putting It All Together

Caroline Stanbury’s “projectile vomit” story is memorable because it’s vivid, relatable in a nightmare way, and it highlights a real pattern:
Ozempic can cause GI side effects, alcohol can worsen them, and the combo may be especially risky during dose changes or for people prone to nausea.^[1][5][9]

If you’re on Ozempic and you drink, the safest move is to talk with your healthcare provider about what’s reasonable for you.
If you do drink, go slow, eat first, hydrate, and be ready to stop if your body starts waving red flags.
Your future self will thank you. Your current self might still be annoyed, but at least it won’t be sprinting toward a trash can.

Experiences: What People Commonly Report When Mixing Alcohol and Ozempic (A 500-Word Reality Check)

Let’s talk about the experiences people often describebecause if you’re trying to decide whether a drink is worth it, “clinical language” can feel a little abstract.
Consider this section a practical, non-judgmental map of what many people say happens. (It’s not medical advice, and your mileage may vary. Bodies are quirky.)

Experience #1: “One drink felt like three… but not in a fun way.” Some people report that alcohol hits differently once they’re on semaglutide.
The common thread isn’t always getting “drunker.” It’s feeling off: suddenly warm, queasy, headachy, or uncomfortably full after a small amount.
A big reason may be that they’re eating less overall. If your dinner is three bites of chicken and a heroic sip of water, your usual cocktail math doesn’t apply anymore.
People describe learning (the hard way) that they need food first, even if they don’t feel hungry.

Experience #2: “The nausea showed up late, like it was stuck in traffic.” A surprisingly common story is delayed regret.
Someone has a glass of wine, feels okay, keeps chatting, and thenan hour or two laternausea rolls in like a storm system.
That delay can feel confusing because they assume they’re “in the clear.” The takeaway many people share: sip slowly, pause often, and don’t stack drinks close together.
The goal is to notice early signs before your stomach starts writing its resignation letter.

Experience #3: “I just don’t want alcohol anymore.” This one catches people off guard.
Some say they used to look forward to a drink, but on a GLP-1 it feels optionalor even unappealing.
They’ll open a beer, take a few sips, and forget it exists (which, if you’ve ever paid stadium prices, is emotionally complicated).
Researchers are studying whether GLP-1 drugs reduce cravings by affecting reward pathways in the brain, which could matter for alcohol use disorder treatment down the line.^[14]

Experience #4: “My blood sugar did something weird.” People with diabetes sometimes describe unexpected glucose dips after drinking,
especially if they didn’t eat enough or if they’re on other glucose-lowering medications. That’s why many clinicians emphasize planning:
eat, monitor, and treat alcohol like a variable that can change the whole equationnot a harmless accessory.

Experience #5: “I decided drinking wasn’t worth the mental overhead.” This is the most “adult” outcome:
after a few experiments, some people choose to drink less (or not at all) because they don’t like gambling with nausea, sleep quality, or next-day energy.
They swap cocktails for mocktails, sparkling water with bitters, or just leave early like the mysterious person everyone admires.
Not because they “can’t,” but because the cost-benefit analysis changes once Ozempic makes your body more sensitive.

The consistent theme across these experiences is simple: if alcohol starts feeling unpredictable or unpleasant on Ozempic, that’s not weaknessit’s feedback.
Listen to it. Your social life can survive a mocktail. Your stomach deserves a little peace.