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Driving

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mage 1

Well-Known Member
Can anybody tell me that when you’re only on Metformin and your blood sugar is showing 4.8 can you still drive or do you need to have something to eat before you driveThat brings me back to the question that you’re not supposed to be checking your blood if you’re on medication that doesn’t cause hypos
 
I have always been told the minimum BG to drive is 5.6, so yes you do need to eat before you drive. As far as checking (as a T1D) you must check before driving, as if you have a incident due to low BG it can be classed at driving without due care and attention.
 
You do not need to do anything.

The D.V.L.A. requirements for blood glucose testing and behaviour are based on the risk of hypoglycaemia, and more how it impairs judgement rather than collapsing in control of a vehicle. If you are only on Metformin then you are no greater a hypo risk than a non-diabetic person.

The official details for "drivers with diabetes treated by non-insulin medication, diet, or both" is in leaflet INF188/2 which you can read here:


It is only people who are treated by insulin who need to test and take action according to their levels, which is detailed in leaflet INF294 on the same page.

In that case you need to test every two hours, and if below 5.0 you need to have a snack. If you are hypo (below 4.0) then you must not only snack and test to get your level back above 5.0, but must then wait an additional 45 minutes after that test before being allowed to drive again.

So sadly that means you are not required by the government to eat sweets and crips.
 
Thank you I forgot to say that I am a Type II I’m on metformin and doctors and nurses do not like you to have a glucose monitor and I was just thinking is that right you’ve answered my question beautifully so thank you so much for all on your answers
 
Yes my understanding is that metformin does not require you to inform the DVLA, and that metformin is not considered a medication which carries a risk of hypoglycaemia.

There is more information here (the medications mentioned seem to focus on insulin and sulphonylureas)

 
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