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Oh my, what a nuiscance

Squire Fulwood

Expert
Messages
6,114
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
"Alcohol

Alcohol can interact with certain medicines.

In the case of Metformin hydrochloride:

· this medicine interacts with alcohol

You must not drink any alcohol if you are taking this medicine."

I got this from a NHS Choices document. Nursie knows I like wine so what is going on. I am going to have to decide whether to give up alcohol or metformin. What a difficult decision, it could take minutes.

If anyone else thinks they may be doing something that Metformin affects you can read the whole document here.

http://www.nhs.uk/medicine-guides/p...=metformin&preparationMetformin 500mg tablets

I am off to Tesco now and I will have to not look at all those bottles of wine in the rack (as if).
 
It is not necessary to avoid alcohol when taking metformin. You just need to be aware of the possible risk of lactic acidosis. This was much more likely with a predecessor of metformin - phenformin which was withdrawn for this reason.

This explains the risks http://diabetes.emedtv.com/metformin/metformin-and-lactic-acidosis.html

If I am away with friends and drinking, then I let them know what could happen.
 

Perhaps NHS Choices could be a little less definite in their advice then.
 
When I first was dx and given met I read with horror no alcohol I asked the nurse she said she was on met and drank wine so I asked the pharmacist who said the drug companies cover their backs but just be aware .So 5 years down the line I still take met and drink wine and have had no ill effects ,but that is ME
CAROL
 
I also have drunk wine throughout my 5 year sojourn with diabetes and not suffered problems that I know about. I think my issue is with NHS Choices who keep disseminating questionable advice. I think this is my favourite one. This is under the heading of

"Living with type 2 diabetes"

"
Healthy eating
It is not true that if you have diabetes you will need to eat a special diet. You should eat a healthy diet high in fibre, fruit and vegetables and low in fat, salt and sugar.

Different foods will affect you in different ways, so it is important to know what to eat and when to get the right amount of glucose for the insulin you are taking. A diabetes dietitian can help you work out a dietary plan that can be adapted to your specific needs. Read more about healthy eating.

You couldn't make it up could you.

Here is the reference

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Diabetes-type2/Pages/Living-with.aspx
 
My advice is to ignore the NHS Choices website. It is full of stuff that is just word of mouth with no evidence to back it up or just plain out of date info. You can drink alcohol with Metformin; just don't go mad although I'm not aware of any problems even if you do.
 
Well, having seen that I've reported it (via the Contact Us link) and I'll see what response I get.

If a few more people report it then they might perhaps take notice.

Cheers

LGC
 
It may well be that alcohol negates the benefits of the Metformin rather than cause physical complications, just as grapefruit does to statins.
 
LittleGreyCat said:
Well, having seen that I've reported it (via the Contact Us link) and I'll see what response I get.

If a few more people report it then they might perhaps take notice.

Cheers

LGC
Click to expand...

I reported the one about type 2's on insulin but it was a complete waste of effort and the "Living with type 2 diabetes" document remains unchanged.
 
I know I shouldn't, but on the evenings I want a drink I don't take Metformin, however my friend drinks a few glasses every night and she's on Met - she has no problem.
 
izzzi said:
Squire Fulwood, got to be fair, your good. great and interesting thread
.
Click to expand...
That looks very American. I assume craft beers are real ales and light ale is nasty fizzy rubbish. The advice about counting alcohol as a carb choice seems superfluous to normal people, and to suggest you avoid driving after drinking is so 70s
 
LittleGreyCat said:
Well, having seen that I've reported it (via the Contact Us link) and I'll see what response I get.

If a few more people report it then they might perhaps take notice.

Cheers

LGC
Click to expand...

Arrived this morning:


This looks to have not just been amended to take out the incorrect insulin reference but to have been comprehensively rewritten.

The content will still not please LCHF advocates but at least it is no longer grossly misleading.

So it can be worthwhile reporting web site errors.

Cheers

LGC
 
So next time I wish to bring something to their attention I contact LGC. They took no notice of me.

The re-written para is pushing the healthy plate approach but I suppose that's better than assuming everyone takes insulin.
 
Here is the amended para. I am beginning to think it was better when it assumed we all took insulin.

Healthy eating
Eating a healthy, balanced diet is very important if you have diabetes. However, you don't need to avoid certain food groups altogether.

As long as you eat regularly and make healthy choices, you can have a varied diet and enjoy a wide range of foods.

You can make adaptations when cooking meals, such as reducing the amount of fat, salt and sugar, and increasing the amount of fibre.

You don't need to completely exclude sugary and high fat foods from your diet but they should be limited. It's possible to achieve good blood glucose control by including sugary foods in your diet.

The important thing in managing diabetes through your diet is to eat regularly and include starchy carbohydrates, such as pasta, as well as plenty of fruit and vegetables. If your diet is well balanced, you should be able to achieve a good level of health and maintain a healthy weight.

Read more about healthy recipes. Further dietary advice and cooking tips are also available on the Diabetes UK website.
 

Until you explode like Augustus Gloop.

 
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