Alcohol & Metformin

[Michxx]

Hi I was just wondering about taking alcohol with Metformin - does anyone know if you can and if so whats best. I usually drink cider and am off to a music festival this weekend having only being diagnosed on Tuesday this week. Ta

 

[Robster65]

Hi Mich

I can only think of the effect of alcohol on the liver, which is to temporarily block release of glucose into the bloodstream, but I'm not sure if that would be affected by metformin.

I also can't imagine everyone on metformin avoiding alcohol. Might be worth visiting your pharmacy before you go to find out what the possible side effects are.

Obviously lots of cider would raise your BG a hell of a lot, which wouldn't do you much good, but that's not just a metformin issue 🙂

Rob

 

[Northerner]

I think the key thing to remember is 'everything in moderation' 🙂 People have different tolerances and reactions so the thing to do is to be cautious - I know several of our members in the past have reported no problems, but you should not go over the top as you are just getting used to the medication.

 

[Mark T]

I've been drinking a glass of wine with metformin and not had any side effects.

Metformin also states to avoid ibuprofen too, but the information on the british national formulary (the NHS chemists info) doesn't list either ibuprofen.

I suspect this is just the manufacturer covering themselves.

 

[Northerner]

...I suspect this is just the manufacturer covering themselves.

I think there may be a slightly increased risk of lactic acidosis in very rare circumstances.

 

[BigMalc]

When I first got prescribed it I asked the question of the Doc as the leaflet said dont take it with alcohol.

this was news to him at that time and knowing me and the family fairly well confirmed that he wouldnt have prescribed it if it was a problem (what a family reputation!)

Essentially it will reduce its efficiency but apart from that i beleive it shouldnt have any other serious implications, but as always whilst moderation is best, at a festival that isnt going to happen so just dont binge too quick too early to give you time to check it is OK for you before getting seriously unmoderated.

Have fun

 

[Michxx]

Thanks so much guys - was actually going to cancel my weekend away when i first got news because I am really afraid ie what can i eat? I wont be preparing the food so dont know how it is cooked will be eating out all weekend. Aargh wish I hadnt found out this week lol🙄

 

[Northerner]

Thanks so much guys - was actually going to cancel my weekend away when i first got news because I am really afraid ie what can i eat? I wont be preparing the food so dont know how it is cooked will be eating out all weekend. Aargh wish I hadnt found out this week lol🙄

Try to avoid eating too much carbohydrate (chips, pasta, rice, cakes! etc.) Surprisingly, food that is a bit fatty will digest more slowly so will have less of an impact on your blood sugar levels. Always difficult when you are out on occasions like that, but don't let it spoil your enjoyment by worrying too much - we all have to have a treat from time to time 🙂

 

[Michxx]

Thanks once again - am off tomorrow early doors so will let you all know how I get on on Monday night 🙂

 

[AnnW]

My dietician said one glass of pref red wine a day but with food - or up to about an hour after food .
I also had a very low reading and wobbly when I had omelette and salad and was told I had to have carbs - balance the meal. I said , so rather than be good and not have I would have been better with them - the answer was yes !! You can't win can you 🙂
Have a lovely time and just eat sensibly , no overdoses on fatty food or alcohol, that's my advice ( only learning myself though !!)

 

[robert@fm]

Metformin also states to avoid ibuprofen too, but the information on the british national formulary (the NHS chemists info) doesn't list either ibuprofen.

I've been forbidden NSAIDs (ibuprofen, diclofenac, aspirin over and above my daily preventive 75mg dose) ever since I was diagnosed with diabetic nephropathy in 2006. Last August, when my kidney function had deteriorated even further, I was taken off metformin because of this. Maybe there's a connection?

On the other hand...

I suspect this is just the manufacturer covering themselves.

Which of course happens far too often; I recently splurged on a laser star projector from Maplins, and it had the usual dire safety warnings -- despite being only a Class 2 laser device; laser classes 1 and 2 can be summarised as "harmless" and "mostly harmless" respectively, it's only devices of class 3a and up (which are probably banned from sale to the general public -- or at any rate should be) that present a significant optical hazard. There's also the way that nearly all battery powered equipment bears the warning "do not use rechargable batteries" -- even where (to the knowledgable) such a warning is obvious nonsense, such as simple torches (just a lightbulb, battery and switch). I always ignore such a warning; after all, the worst that can happen is that the device stops working until alkalines are inserted.

 

[Nicky1970]

I drink and I take metformin. Hic. There's an increased chance of lactic acidosis if you drink. Hic. According to the leaflet. Hic. But that's a rare side effect. Hic. But we're all different - I'd go ahead and enjoy a drink, just familiarise yourself with the symptoms if you're at all worried. Hic.