metformin and alcohol

[dmcd11]

Im t2 and have just started taking metaformin

the blurb says I shouldnt have a lot of alchol with it

but Im not sure how much is a lot

I only drink occassionally but when Its eg my birthday, I like to have 2-3 glasses of champagne

Can I still do this?

is that too much

I would appreciate any other t2 people to share their experiences/how much its ok for them to drink etc

thanks

 

[Grazer]

No problem at all, enjoy your Champagne. They have warnings on Metformin because there is an EXTREMELY rare effect that can come with drinking large amounts of alcohol with metformin; it occurs with alcoholics on occasion, or with anyone who already has a damaged liver. If your liver is ok, there is no reason why you shouldn't drink the same as any non-diabetic. If you are on insulin or other strong sugar lowering drugs (not metform) then you have to be wary of hypos because of the blood-sugar lowering effect of alcohol, but on diet and metformin you'll be fine. I drink, and I checked with a specialist diabetes endocrinologist who advised me that the above is correct. Sort of medical advice I like!

 

[Paul1976]

Yes,I like the sound of Grazers endo! :lol: But,yes,very good advice from Grazer above so all I can add is...Enjoy your Champagne!! :thumbup:

 

[chris lowe]

Champagne? Yuck! Vastly over-rated drink. Give me a Bombay Saphire and tonic any day. Seriously, I don't drink much at all because I find it makes me nauseous, and very occasionally I will get either the shivers or the sweats and then have to vomit but feel fine after. Personal choice really, but don't overdo it. You will soon find out if it agrees with you or not.

 

[Daibell]

Hi. In general you can have sensible levels of alcohol with the common diabetes drugs including Metformin e.g. a few units but perhaps no more?

 

[Grazer]

Hi Daibell, I see you're on Glic and understand why you may want to limit to a few units, but on metformin only there's no more limit as such needed than a normal non diabetic may wish to impose for health reasons

 

[Daibell]

Hi Grazer. Yes, I'm sure you're right on this; perhaps I was being over-cautious.

 

[bluenoselouie]

Hi

I take 4 x 500mg Metformin daily and drink most days without any problems, although I have changed my tipple from Strongbow to low carb Coors Light and red wine; the wine particularly having a beneficial effect on my BG level :wink:

 

[RoyG]

I managed 2 bottles of Red on Monday over indulging for Her Majesty, well it's the Queen in it. Never really bothered me apart from my Hiatus hernia playing up, but then it always does when I have a tipple so tend to only indulge Occasionally or when tempted by reckless friends :wink: :wink: .

 

[LittleGreyCat]

I recently started Metformin (see previous posts) and asked much the same question.
As well as proposing a sticky Metformin 101.

So, I can say this.
Since starting Metformin I don't drink any more.
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Then again I don't drink any less (boom, boom).

Cheers

LGC