Glucophage and Alcohol

summerose · 10-04-2005, 06:35 PM

Hey, I have been on glucophage for about 3 months, and well on the bottle it said not to drink alcohol, while on the glucophage. And well I was wondering is it a big deal, or not, I mean I am not going to go out and get drunk or anything, but is a drink going to mess things up?

Wishing&Hoping · 10-04-2005, 07:14 PM

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 Â‘buzzÂ’ 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/Fo...als/alcohol.cfm

chattabox_87 · 10-05-2005, 09:38 PM

hey sommerose

i have been on metformin which is glucophage for nearlly a year and in that year i turned 18 so of course i wanted to drink - not excessivley but just enough, hehe

i do know for me it helps if i eat before i drink, also not going for the strong stuff i just stick to 'lollie water' hehe and also i do find my stomach gets a bit weesy but its something that comes with it.
sometimes if i really wanna drink i will skip one or two tablets which is very very bad hehe i know but then i can drink that lil bit more.

good luck hope i help
luv christa xoxoxox

summerose · 10-12-2005, 06:35 PM

thanks so much for the advice!! I just was not sure what to do I have not been to the doctor again since they put me on the meds. so i had not got a chance to ask her about it. Thanks again

Loz · 10-22-2005, 10:04 AM

Ive been on Met for nearly 2 years, and I get totally ****ed at least 2, usually 3, times a week...havent noticed any bad effects apart from totally wasted and spewing up everywhere, but thats sposed to happen, soooo......have fun!

chattabox_87 · 10-22-2005, 10:25 AM

hehe loz