• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

STILL WAITING

T

Tim0001

Newbie
Messages
2
Location
grimsby
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Being ill, watching others eat cake
Hello world, I am now just two weeks into my Type 2 diagnosis. I am trying to find out if I can still have a wee dram or two whilst taking "Metformin". TIA
 
Sorry I do not use Metformin but I expect all drugs to come with a leaflet that explains things like potential side effects and any issues with alcohol or driving or the like.
I was recently prescribed some strong painkillers for a short period. The leaflet that came with them said in big capital letters "AVOID ALCOHOL whilst taking this medication."
If there was a problem with a wee dram or two with Metformin, I would expect similar on the Metformin leaflet.
 
Tim0001 said:
Hello world, I am now just two weeks into my Type 2 diagnosis. I am trying to find out if I can still have a wee dram or two whilst taking "Metformin". TIA
Click to expand...

Hi,

I found this that may be of possible help? https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/metformin/

Scroll down to "common questions," (section 9.) then click on "can I drink alcohol with it."

Hope this helps.
 
And to remember it's best to have it neat because of all the sugars in most mixers
 
When I took Metformin several years ago I still had my evening neat single malt whisky, I also drank low carb beer.

I do not drink to get **** faced drunk, but in moderation I feel it will not hurt you as a T2 diabetic, but this is my opinion not some wowsers.

Enjoy...
 
Tim0001 said:
Hello world, I am now just two weeks into my Type 2 diagnosis. I am trying to find out if I can still have a wee dram or two whilst taking "Metformin". TIA
Click to expand...
I have no experience of metformin so can't advise on that aspect. However, one thing that alcohol will do is depress your blood glucose levels by affecting liver function. You will need to take any BG readings with a pinch of salt after alcohol: I have had fairly carby meals plus alcohol (eg couple of glasses of wine) and come out with BGs lower at the two hour mark than when I started. It gives you a false impression - you still ate the carbs, it's just that they take much longer to show up.

I do drink regularly but usually avoid beer (apart from low-carb, ie Marstons Resolution) things like sherries, and mixers. Whiskey, rum etc - all zero carb.
 
KennyA said:
I do drink regularly but usually avoid beer (apart from low-carb, ie Marstons Resolution) things like sherries, and mixers. Whiskey, rum etc - all zero carb.
Click to expand...

Wow, that is interesting. You've just given me something to think about. I've read here before about spirits being better than wines and beers re: carbs. But just now, reading your post, I wondered why. Why are whiskies, made from grains, zero carb?
I actually prefer whiskies to wines and beer; this is just the first time I've ever wondered about the grain effect (or lack thereof).
 
SaskiaKC said:
Wow, that is interesting. You've just given me something to think about. I've read here before about spirits being better than wines and beers re: carbs. But just now, reading your post, I wondered why. Why are whiskies, made from grains, zero carb?
I actually prefer whiskies to wines and beer; this is just the first time I've ever wondered about the grain effect (or lack thereof).
Click to expand...
Carbohydrate in the grain is fermented and becomes alcohol and carbon dioxide.
 
Last edited:
Beers are made from grain also. Is there added sugar to contend with, which makes the difference? Or is it the distillation process involved in making spirits?
 
Outlier said:
Beers are made from grain also. Is there added sugar to contend with, which makes the difference? Or is it the distillation process involved in making spirits?
Click to expand...
It is due to the degree of fermentation. Spirits are fermented until all the sugar has become alcohol. With beer the fermentation is not complete and some sugars remain.
 
Tim0001 said:
Hello world, I am now just two weeks into my Type 2 diagnosis. I am trying to find out if I can still have a wee dram or two whilst taking "Metformin". TIA
Click to expand...

Maybe it's the "or two" that would be a problem! :-)
 
SaskiaKC said:
Wow, that is interesting. You've just given me something to think about. I've read here before about spirits being better than wines and beers re: carbs. But just now, reading your post, I wondered why. Why are whiskies, made from grains, zero carb?
I actually prefer whiskies to wines and beer; this is just the first time I've ever wondered about the grain effect (or lack thereof).
Click to expand...
Mr Pot has already provided the answers here. I've noticed that the stronger the beer the better - more alcohol, less carb hit. I have tested this thoroughly (of course experiences may vary) via fingerprick and Libre and I don't generally get any rise in BG from either wine or spirits. Beer, there is a smallish rise sometimes but almost lost in the general noise - having had a zero carb day Monday I had one can of Holsten Pils - about 10-12g carbs. It didn't register a BG rise on the Libre at all (which is more than I can say for the latte I had on Sunday). In short - I can drink certain things (some in moderation) without raising my BGs. You might be able to, or you might not.
 
Back
Top