INTRO Hi! So happy to be here and looking for other success stories related to alcohol and acid reflux!

[nothopelessyet]

Hey everyone - I go by nothopelessyet, and sema has been part of my routine for almost 2 years now. My goal weight is behind me, but there are still things I want to accomplish.

1. Drink less or stop entirely and

2. Stop taking famotidine.

The heartburn has kept me from staying on my prescribed (highest) dose for longer than 1 week at a time, even though I was hoping that bigger doses might reduce my urge to drink. A very low maintenance dose works for me (roughly 20 units at 2.5mg), but it does nothing for the alcohol cravings. On top of that, my doctor says I need to take a break from the famotidine before long.

From what I've heard, Tirzepatide might do a better job of reducing or getting rid of alcohol cravings, but the cost is way higher (something like 300/mo??), so I've hesitated to make the switch. Still, if it truly helps that much with alcohol, then it's worth it to me. I'd really appreciate hearing stories or tips from anyone here who has used these meds to drink less or who has found a way to deal with reflux! I'll also browse the forum for existing threads.

Thanks, and glad to be here!

 

[wileyhorse]

I've been using Tirz for 3 months through a telehealth/compounding provider. My suggestion: check reddit for "compounded tirzepatide" — there's a huge amount of helpful info there, covering both costs and which companies treat customers well. If I remember right, I spent about $465 for a 3 month supply at 15mg.

On the alcohol craving side... with my very first dose, I felt an INSTANT wipeout of any urge to drink. Over those 3 months, I doubt I've had more than one or two drinks total. And I didn't even finish them. Tirz absolutely shut down my cravings for alcohol and THC too! A buddy of mine drinks heavily, and we're going to get his first Tirz doses ordered specifically for that reason.... He's eager to make some lifestyle changes too. Best of luck!

 

[vande250]

Welcome in — and well done on reaching your goal weight, that's a big deal.

The situation you're describing is pretty understandable. Essentially, you've hit a trade-off:

• low dose → manageable, but alcohol cravings barely budge
  
• higher dose → stronger effect, but now reflux is the issue

Regarding alcohol, you're not wrong — many people do say that tirz (and occasionally reta) appear to dampen the urge more clearly than sema. It doesn't happen for everyone, but it's common enough to be a genuine pattern.

That being said, if reflux is already showing up on sema, it's worth watching for with any of these options. A few strategies that sometimes work for people:

• splitting doses
  
• avoiding late meals/alcohol
  
• keeping portions smaller even when appetite is low
  
• not pushing dose too quickly

For some, simply locating that "middle dose" where cravings are reduced enough without setting off reflux is the sweet spot.

Still, you're asking the right questions — particularly because your goal now isn't weight loss, it's more about behavior and quality of life.

Curious what ends up working for you — this is a really valuable topic

 

[waitingforareason]

On larger sema doses, my acid reflux was AWFUL. I made the change to tirz and haven't had any problems at all since then. My suggestion would be to give a different medication a try. Plus, you won't be spending close to $300/mo here.

 

[nothopelessyet]

vande250 said:

Welcome in — and well done on reaching your goal weight, that's a big deal.

The situation you're describing is pretty understandable. Essentially, you've hit a trade-off:

• low dose → manageable, but alcohol cravings barely budge
  
• higher dose → stronger effect, but now reflux is the issue

Regarding alcohol, you're not wrong — many people do say that tirz (and occasionally reta) appear to dampen the urge more clearly than sema. It doesn't happen for everyone, but it's common enough to be a genuine pattern.

That being said, if reflux is already showing up on sema, it's worth watching for with any of these options. A few strategies that sometimes work for people:

• splitting doses
  
• avoiding late meals/alcohol
  
• keeping portions smaller even when appetite is low
  
• not pushing dose too quickly

For some, simply locating that "middle dose" where cravings are reduced enough without setting off reflux is the sweet spot.

Still, you're asking the right questions — particularly because your goal now isn't weight loss, it's more about behavior and quality of life.

Curious what ends up working for you — this is a really valuable topic

That's great to hear it's been so effective for you—your reply definitely gives me hope, thank you!

 

[nothopelessyet]

waitingforareason said:

On larger sema doses, my acid reflux was AWFUL. I made the change to tirz and haven't had any problems at all since then. My suggestion would be to give a different medication a try. Plus, you won't be spending close to $300/mo here.

Once I work out where to source it, I can't wait to make the change. For the last two years my reflux has only just been kept in check, which means I'm uncomfortable to some degree most of the time. When you moved over to tirz, did you find it fairly straightforward to dial in your dose?

 

[nothopelessyet]

wileyhorse said:

I've been using Tirz for 3 months through a telehealth/compounding provider. My suggestion: check reddit for "compounded tirzepatide" — there's a huge amount of helpful info there, covering both costs and which companies treat customers well. If I remember right, I spent about $465 for a 3 month supply at 15mg.

On the alcohol craving side... with my very first dose, I felt an INSTANT wipeout of any urge to drink. Over those 3 months, I doubt I've had more than one or two drinks total. And I didn't even finish them. Tirz absolutely shut down my cravings for alcohol and THC too! A buddy of mine drinks heavily, and we're going to get his first Tirz doses ordered specifically for that reason.... He's eager to make some lifestyle changes too. Best of luck!

Oops — I think I answered the wrong person further down. That reply was meant for you!

"Really pleased it's treating you so well, and reading that leaves me far more hopeful. Thanks for coming back to me!"

 

[TipsyTirzy]

nothopelessyet said:

Hey everyone - I go by nothopelessyet, and sema has been part of my routine for almost 2 years now. My goal weight is behind me, but there are still things I want to accomplish.

1. Drink less or stop entirely and

2. Stop taking famotidine.

The heartburn has kept me from staying on my prescribed (highest) dose for longer than 1 week at a time, even though I was hoping that bigger doses might reduce my urge to drink. A very low maintenance dose works for me (roughly 20 units at 2.5mg), but it does nothing for the alcohol cravings. On top of that, my doctor says I need to take a break from the famotidine before long.

From what I've heard, Tirzepatide might do a better job of reducing or getting rid of alcohol cravings, but the cost is way higher (something like 300/mo??), so I've hesitated to make the switch. Still, if it truly helps that much with alcohol, then it's worth it to me. I'd really appreciate hearing stories or tips from anyone here who has used these meds to drink less or who has found a way to deal with reflux! I'll also browse the forum for existing threads.

Thanks, and glad to be here!

On tirz, my drinking has dropped to nearly zero. To be clear, I wasn't dependent on it at all — I just had a drink now and then. These days my body can't handle alcohol the way it used to: a single drink leaves me feeling unwell. And when I overdo it, the following day is awful — diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headaches, the most brutal hangover I've ever experienced. All in all, alcohol holds almost no attraction for me anymore, and the smell or sight of it tends to make me gag (the one time it doesn't is when wine is used in a reduction for cooking).

It works the same way chantellix (the smoking cessation drug) acted on nicotine for me. It simply made me feel so terrible whenever I used it that even a "fake vape" or herbal pouches would get instantly rejected by my brain.

As for acid reflux, I don't personally experience it on tirz, but sema and reta gave it to me badly. What helps me, based on my own experience, is eating while sitting as upright as I can, and when nobody's around, I eat standing. It annoys my wife. I also steer clear of anything especially greasy or spicy.

For me it was completely worth it. If your insurance will pay for it, then absolutely go ahead! Mine won't, so I buy the lypholized powder and mix it myself.

 

[waitingforareason]

nothopelessyet said:

waitingforareason said:

On larger sema doses, my acid reflux was AWFUL. I made the change to tirz and haven't had any problems at all since then. My suggestion would be to give a different medication a try. Plus, you won't be spending close to $300/mo here.

Once I work out where to source it, I can't wait to make the change. For the last two years my reflux has only just been kept in check, which means I'm uncomfortable to some degree most of the time. When you moved over to tirz, did you find it fairly straightforward to dial in your dose?

Dosing advice is everywhere, but as far as I can tell I stuck with the usual schedule, beginning at 2.5 mg.

 

[oldjarhead]

I haven't stopped drinking entirely, but I've cut way down. I used to drink a lot. A heavy drinker, haha. I still have a few drinks, mostly I believe because it's a routine. The following day I typically don't feel great, and while I'm drinking it doesn't taste as good as it once did. Strange. I'm 3.5 months into Tirz and I truly believe I can leave alcohol behind completely in the near future. Wishing you the best of luck.

 

[nothopelessyet]

waitingforareason said:

nothopelessyet said:

waitingforareason said:

On larger sema doses, my acid reflux was AWFUL. I made the change to tirz and haven't had any problems at all since then. My suggestion would be to give a different medication a try. Plus, you won't be spending close to $300/mo here.

Once I work out where to source it, I can't wait to make the change. For the last two years my reflux has only just been kept in check, which means I'm uncomfortable to some degree most of the time. When you moved over to tirz, did you find it fairly straightforward to dial in your dose?

Dosing advice is everywhere, but as far as I can tell I stuck with the usual schedule, beginning at 2.5 mg.

Understood... I did a lot of reading over the weekend, and I'm still not sure where to begin, but I'll work it out haha.

 

[nothopelessyet]

oldjarhead said:

I haven't stopped drinking entirely, but I've cut way down. I used to drink a lot. A heavy drinker, haha. I still have a few drinks, mostly I believe because it's a routine. The following day I typically don't feel great, and while I'm drinking it doesn't taste as good as it once did. Strange. I'm 3.5 months into Tirz and I truly believe I can leave alcohol behind completely in the near future. Wishing you the best of luck.

That's fantastic, congrats! I drink quite a lot too. A couple years back when I began sema, I figured it would definitely reduce my alcohol intake and that I'd pocket way more than the $150 per month I was spending on booze, but that didn't happen. Since then I've picked up a lot more knowledge (the friend who said it helped her stop drinking was on Tirz, not Sema—I didn't know the distinction back then). Can't wait to make the change! Appreciate the reply, it gives me hope.