Alcohol and Metformin

[christyz]

I could not get a straight answer from my physician about whether or not I could have a couple of drinks weekly on metformin. Does anyone have information about alcohol and metformin?

Thanks!

[Kaelyn]

Hello! From what I understand, the caution about consuming alcohol has to do with the fact that alcohol dehydrates you (and we have to up our water intake to begin with, due to concerns about the potential for lactic acidosis.) I've read on here, though, that some cysters have had a few drinks on occasion and just had water either with or in between the drinks, and suffered no ill effects.

[christyz]

Thank You, Kaelyn...

I had never been told anything about increasing my water consumption...this was the first I had heard of it. Can you, or another cyster tell me more about acidosis and what it's symptoms are? I would appreciate any info you have.

[msgypsylee]

Being on Metformin gives your liver alot of extra work to do. It's heavily metabolized in the liver. Drinking alcohol does the same thing. Thats why its not recomended to drink while on Met. I limit myself to 1 glass of wine a week. Its better not to strain your liver if you don't have too.

Sarah

[christyz]

Thanks for the reply. This is information I didn't have! I really appreciate it.