Metformin and Alcohol

[mk9]

I take 1500mg of metformin. My Dr. said that I can have 2 glasses of wine. Understanding the risk of lactic acidosis, is it highly recommended that I avoid more than 2 glasses for the "very special" occasion upon which I might like to have say 3?

[BlueSky]

I take 1500mg of metformin. My Dr. said that I can have 2 glasses of wine. Understanding the risk of lactic acidosis, is it highly recommended that I avoid more than 2 glasses for the "very special" occasion upon which I might like to have say 3?
You need to discuss this with your doctor, but I don't think you have anything to worry about. Alcohol increases the risk of metformin causing lactic acidosis, but it increases it from a very low level (approximately 0.03 cases/1000 patient-years, with approximately 0.015 fatal cases/1000 patient-years). People on metformin who get lactic acidosis are usually elderly and have other health problems too, especially kidney disease. Metformin has been found to be a very safe drug. As long as your kidneys are ok, that third glass of wine shouldn't be a problem ... ;) .

Welcome to the forums.

[Jill-O]

I'm not a doctor, but I do take metformin. I don't often drink, but when I feel like it, I'd have 3 glasses...

http://www.getsmile.com/emoticons/funny-smileys-68129/champagne.gif

[kgm0612]

I'm on a pump but I also take 500mg twice a day of Metformin. I'm a social drinker and I've had up to 3 or 4 glasses of white zin while being out for the evening. One thing I do find is that the wine will initially raise my blood sugar, but then within a couple hours it drops me down low.

Karen

[davef]

I'm on a 500mg Metformin twice a day and for special occassions I do have more than 2 glasses of wine, I find red is what works best for me. But do check with your Doctor, you don't mention any other medication/conditions and I'm no doctor, just know what works for me, your mileage may vary.

[buddy7]

Hey -- mk9 !!

I'm on 500 mg Metformin as well, don't drink my-self, have a policy, never mixed any alcohol with medication, to be safe.

B/7 ESSEX UK.