Metformin and alcohol----side affects

I'm throwing dh a surprise party on friday and i will be getting my drink on...

how will this affect the metformin?

what if i skip it for the day?

Re: Metformin and alcohol----side affects

This article explains it

Metformin and Alcohol

I've also read that it can reduce your alcohol tolerance and has an effect on the liver (which is what the article talks about)

I think you should be ok with a few drinks- just don't overdo it.


HTH!

One more thing I found

19. Can I still have alcohol while taking Met?

Yes! Guidelines are strict, but data suggests a couple of drinks per week is perfectly fine on Metformin. But studies suggest some concerns with moderate to heavy drinking on metformin. This level of alcohol can actually delay a period due to itÂ’s effect on hormones:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/...1&dopt=Abstract

Excessive amounts of alcohol can increase the effect of met resulting higher chances of hypoglycemia and lactic acidosis: http://webmd.lycos.com/content/drugs/4/4052_143.htm
http://www.diabetesmonitor.com/metf-qa.htm

Drinking while on Met often causes increased nausea, abdominal discomfort and other side effects. So to counter this, some ladies discontinue Met when they are planning to drink in excess. By doing this, you increase your chances of hypoglycemia even further by leaving your insulin unregulated completely.
Many women on Met also find they get a ‘buzz’ a lot faster, so bear this in mind. This is because the liver is overworked due to the Met and processing the alcohol, so the alcohol moves through your bloodstream to other parts of your body..the alcohol moves to the brain because the liver can't process it. Symptoms of hypo look like those of drunkenness: confusion, slurred speech, dizziness, nausea and headache.

If you plan to drink, try to eat prior to (and while) drinking to keep your blood sugar up, limit your number of drinks, drink low sugar drinks if possible and drink as slowly as you can to keep from your liver being over-worked. If you use mixers in your drinks, choose ones that are sugar free, like diet soft drinks, diet tonic, club soda, seltzer, or water. This will help keep your blood sugar levels in your target range. Light beer and dry wines are good choices. They have less alcohol and carbohydrates and fewer calories. To make drinks last longer, try a "spritzer." Mix wine with sparkling water, club soda, or diet soda.

ANY consumption of alcohol should be discussed with your physican.

Diabetes Medication, blood sugar and alcohol: https://secure.lillydiabetes.com/Foo...ls/alcohol.cfm

Above info found here

Message edited 5/1/2008 4:32:48 PM.

Re: Metformin and alcohol----side affects

I would advise you to not get your drink on - one or two is ok, but to get piss drunk, well you may get really sick.

I got extremely sick after having two glasses of wine one night, I haven't touched alcohol since.

Re: Metformin and alcohol----side affects

Re: Metformin and alcohol----side affects

If I had a wedding or a night where I knew I'd probably have too many, I'd skip my metformin that day. But, my stomach never had a problem with metformin, so everybody is different.

Re: Metformin and alcohol----side affects

DON'T skip a dose. It could do some real numbers on your blood sugar.

I would suggest enjoying a drink or two, and make that your limit.

Re: Metformin and alcohol----side affects

I haven't had any problems with my stomach while taking this...

So even though I'm not on it to control my bloodsugar i still can't skip it?

I'm not planning on getting pissy drunk, but I want to have a few drinks and enjoy myself.

Re: Metformin and alcohol----side affects

I had 3 beers (2 separate times) on it and felt fine ... not saying it didn't do my body any *harm* b/c that I really don't know....but I *felt* fine/normal during and after the drinks.

Message edited 5/2/2008 9:14:18 AM.

Re: Metformin and alcohol----side affects

I didn't get the usual sick to my stomach (TMI diarrhea) - i was up puking all night. And I have NEVER gotten sick from drinking before - and I've had a lot more than two glasses of wine!!

Re: Metformin and alcohol----side affects

I'd check with your doctor and see what he/she says.