question about met

vicki1969 · 04-01-2005, 08:43 AM

i thought i read all the side effects BUT..my question is? can you drink on metaformin? our work banquet is saturday nite. i just started met on last sunday and am taking 500 g. ive had bad side effects such as the dirreaha and nasuea. any information would be great. this is all so overwhelming to me. im sick of feeling awful. i though this was suppose to make you better?

thanks for your help..
vicki

nobimbo · 04-01-2005, 09:37 AM

Hi Vicki,

In the FAQ sticky at the top of this page, there is some info about Met and alcohol. Here it is:

18. 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

Linda

Banna · 04-01-2005, 04:04 PM

I have twice, for a Christmas party and I don't remember the other occasion. For the Christmas party, I just didn't take my evening dose and I don't remember having any problems. The other occasion was horrible though, I DID take my regular dose at the correct time... and was in the bathroom later! Honestly, I've been taking it since Nov and still have s/e sometimes, there's no reason for it, just comes and goes whenever! Have fun at your party!