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Metformin and alcohol

SpaceChick

SpaceChick

Well-Known Member
Messages
89
Sorry, I'm going to be asking TONS of questions I'm sure :oops:

I've been reading conflicting information on alcohol with Metformin.

Whilst the scary pamphlet says its a big no no, I have widely read that as long as you don't drink in excesses or binge drink that you are fine. What classes as excesses or binge drinking?

OH and I will often open a bottle of wine with dinner and then drink it leisurely over the evening. We probably do this 5 nights a week. So I have half a bottle of wine, 5 times a week roughly... Sometimes it may be 4, sometimes 6 but would average at 5.

Am I at risk of that lactic acid scary thing I've read about?

In other news, my blood glucose monitor arrived today..... First Pre food reading 4.5.

Also my ankles have appeared to have swollen today, could this be a side effect of Metformin? Or is it just a weird coincidence?

Thanks chaps :D
 
I know the leaflets say not to drink with Metformin and I don't want to condone it but I drink with it no problem. Just gotta find your own happy place ;-)
As for the ankles, not heard Metformin causing it. May just be the heat ? Keep an eye on things and if problem persists, seek medical advice.
Lastly, you've got the right idea, ask LOADS of questions ! Good luck and enjoy the vino !
 
Everything I have read has said that dry white or red wine is the best alcohol you can drink as a diabetic :?

Sooooooo much conflicting information out there. :crazy:
 
Hi SpaceChick

I've been taking Metformin since 2007, I drink alcohol but not as much as you mention. Not had any problems with Lactic Acidosis.
 
Obviously I can't give medical advice, but I think you can safely drink as much as you want while taking metformin. There is an absolutely minuscule chance of you experiencing complications, but even though it's so minuscule the drug companies protect themselves by putting these dire warnings on their products. Huge numbers of drugs come with warnings about alcohol, and very few are actually warranted. Continue to enjoy your wine and take no notice of the scaremongers :lol:
 
andrew_333 said:
Obviously I can't give medical advice, but I think you can safely drink as much as you want while taking metformin. There is an absolutely minuscule chance of you experiencing complications, but even though it's so minuscule the drug companies protect themselves by putting these dire warnings on their products. Huge numbers of drugs come with warnings about alcohol, and very few are actually warranted. Continue to enjoy your wine and take no notice of the scaremongers :lol:
Click to expand...

Don't think it's people being scaremongers Andrew it's other users sharing the symptoms they have had due to alcohol
My dad could always drink even the hard stuff and suffered no side effects where even after two drinks I suffer
We are all different I like to think unique :-)


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