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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Alcohol Consumption Safe While On Metformin?

If I want to have a cocktail in the afternoon - will have houseguests net week, and I take metformin - is it best to have the cocktail several hours before the metformin, after, or must I absolute not have any medication or not have the cocktail. Medication bottle says not to take with alcohol
Thu, 10 Nov 2016
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Diabetologist,  's  Response
Hello,
There are two things to consider while you take alcohol/cocktails containing alcohol while you are on metformin
1) Alcohol, especially on chronic use can affect the blood glucose control that is maintained by metformin
2) The combination of alcohol(at high doses) and metformin may sometimes result in a metabolic derangement called lactic acidosis
Due to the above two reasons, alcohol use must be done very cautiously while you are on metfromin.
My suggestion would be to take metformin several hours (around 12 hours) before alcohol intake so that alcohol does not potentiate the gastrointestinal discomforting effect of metformin. Do not stop metfomin as it would cause imbalance in your blood glucose control.
Hope the above information solves your queries. Thanks.
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Is Alcohol Consumption Safe While On Metformin?

Hello, There are two things to consider while you take alcohol/cocktails containing alcohol while you are on metformin 1) Alcohol, especially on chronic use can affect the blood glucose control that is maintained by metformin 2) The combination of alcohol(at high doses) and metformin may sometimes result in a metabolic derangement called lactic acidosis Due to the above two reasons, alcohol use must be done very cautiously while you are on metfromin. My suggestion would be to take metformin several hours (around 12 hours) before alcohol intake so that alcohol does not potentiate the gastrointestinal discomforting effect of metformin. Do not stop metfomin as it would cause imbalance in your blood glucose control. Hope the above information solves your queries. Thanks.