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Metformin & Alcohol

H

hovis

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Worcester
I have been trying to find some information regarding the consumption of alcohol while on Metformin, is it true that NO alcohol is allowed? i have been on several websites and all say the same except 1, it says there is no proof that taking alcohol with Metformin will give you LACTIC ACIDOSIS.



Many Thanks
Hovis
 
having been prescribed this today for the first time i'd like to know as well

one of my friends drinks from time to time on this but sometimes it is alot and she does not appear to have any effects

here's hoping
 
You should be aware that there is a risk of lactic acidosis being caused by Metformin, but occurrences are rare. There should be no complications with Metformin and alcohol, though we do need to be careful. Alcohol prevents the liver from releasing glucose when your glucose levels fall, an obvious risk is hypoglycaemia.

The advice I received was to never drink on an empty stomach and limit the number of units.

Regards, Tubs
 
so far so good

I'm not a huge drinker (having given up vast quantities of carbs kinda takes away the job of BECKS *snigger*) having two jobs and a kid also make hangovers best avoided ;)

BUT on the few occasions I have test driven some vodka and metformin I don't believe I have succumbed to anything nasty - however, as everyone's body will reacts to both medication AND alcohol differently, it is probably worthwhile trying a smaller consumption of booooooze to begin with and finding out if you're ok with that?

J/xxx
 
Best recommendation is to avoid *excess* alcohol. Most people known to me seem to have no trouble with small quantities of alcohol and metformin. I've never met anyone who has had lactic acidosis, it's very rare, but nasty if it occurs. The predecessor to metformin caused this more often and I suspect the recommendation has been carried over.
 
I tried alcohol when I first started taking metformin but a red rash appeared from my shoulders upwards and eventually I looked sun burnt on my neck and face. I have since tried on various occasions to see if this was a one off but nope, it happens each time I have alcohol so now I don't bother with the alcohol apart from my tipple of a baileys irish cream on xmas day!!! :D
 
when i first got Metformin and looked at the info sheet, i noticed same thing. as i also care for my wife, the only chance i get of socialising is fri evening in my local for an hour and have a few pints of guinness. no adverse effects on body or on BG figures. i looked on several websites and the consensus was that a few drinks are ok , normal weekly units, but excessive drinking could trigger lactic acidosis so keep off 'the sessions'. so apparently we can still have a social life ofsorts. :D
 
Further to last post, saw Diabetic nurs and she said strong alcohol had a lesser effect than weaker versions so Stella is ok. 2 / 3 pints push me up about 2 points so i feel that is not too bad and it is gone by am anyway, manogwent
 
Folks,

I try to limit to 3 units per day. That way I can really look forward to a glass of dry red wine every evening. Helps with the heart, cholesterol and BG (and sleeping :lol: ).
Before I could drink a bottle of wine to virtual no effect, now I "get a buzz" off a single glass.
If you want to keep to 3 units here is the formula for glass size/quantity...

3000 / % alcohol = mm of wine.

Eg if wine is 12.5% You can drink 3000/12.5 = 240 mm of red wine (or any other 12.5% drink).

Steve.
 
Bluenosesol said:
3000 / % alcohol = mm of wine.

Eg if wine is 12.5% You can drink 3000/12.5 = 240 mm of red wine (or any other 12.5% drink).
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Hmmm. My "units" seem to be a little larger. I average about a half-bottle daily. That's 300-400ml of good Aussie Dry Reds of various styles. Most of it is 14% or thereabouts.

So your formula gives 3000/14 = 214. Based on that I am about 4 1/2 or 5 units. I am also taking 2000mg metformin.

Obviously this combination has fried my brain, as I have been imbibing at that level since shortly after diagnosis. I plan an alcohol-free day every St Swithuns Day, which is next Wednesday if I recall correctly. That allows me to be more careful doing my annual lancet change, because St Swithun's day is the day I change the lancet whether I need to or not. Other alcohol-free days occur when I am travelling through Moslem countries or through places where the local wine is undrinkable.

You might find this interesting, I wrote it a little while back but neither I nor my doctor have seen any reason to amend it since: Red, Red Wine

While you do that I'll have another sip of this rather pleasant "Alkoomi" Frankland River West Australian 2006 Cabernet Merlot. 'Scuse me...

Aaaah...that was good....*hic*

I just read the label - it's only 13%! I can have another glass!
 
Like everything else in life, moderation is the key, & NEVER take metformin (or any RX) with an alcoholic drink, that would not be wise. I actually take Janumet, HCI 50mg/500mg twice a day after meals, & I rarely have wine, beer or a cocktail before eating, but afterwards maybe.

No sign of trouble & with my Metabolic Formula added, I'm actually reversing my T2; my H1c is down to 6.0 even as I speak. :mrgreen:
 
Not had any noticable problems with Metformin and the occasional glass of wine yet. (was a bit more than 'occasional' while I was on holiday still with no problems that showed).
Since being home not really had any, still trying to force more water down as part of what's known as good for you routine. My GP did ask me when diagnosed with diabetes did I consume alcohol, the answer was rarely because that is the norm for me, not bothered about it, I was told its better if you don't or keep it to minimum if you do. I think with a meal can't do much harm but then .. I don't know that for sure.Maybe someone out there does know.
 
I take 3*500 metformin per day and normally have 10*35ml Grouse Whisky plus half to one bottle of red wine each day. Don't have any problems and have not had any problems over the years. Cheers!!
 
DiaBetty said:
Don't know about your diabetes but I bet your liver is not too happy!
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Not sure who you were addressing that to.

According to my regular quarterly blood tests my liver - and my kidneys - are doing fine. All tests within normal range.
 
Hi Alan.

I think it was addressed to the previous poster the Rev.DCCaskie. I'm sure it couldn't possibly have been meant for you. :D

Ken.
 
cugila said:
Hi Alan.

I think it was addressed to the previous poster the Rev.DCCaskie. I'm sure it couldn't possibly have been meant for you. :D quote]Or you: "Guinness - I love it !" :-)
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Last 6th monthly tests, like all the many others from the past, showed liver function to be normal, cholesterol just below 3, blood glucose below 5 and HBA1C was sitting nicely at 5.2. Portion control manages the diet

Cheers
 
As a foodie, much of the fun of cooking (especially baking) has been taken out of my life when I was diagnosed with diabetes. I will not give up my nightly wine with dinner too!! :x

First off: I am not overweight. I am trying not to lose more weight, as I really eat so low-carb that I tend to be hungry much of the time.

I drink 3 glasses of wine at night -- one before dinner, one with, and sometimes one afterwards. No excuses. They are large glasses. I "grew up" with wine, in the Western Cape winelands. (I don't drink hard liquor or beer).

Now 3 large glasses can easily be a bottle. I do have a liver test done whenever I go for an HB1AC test. Wine does not make me gain weight, and I do think dry wines are not fattening.
 
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