Metformin is a drug used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome. Sold under a variety of brand names such a Glucophage and GlucophageXR Riomet and Fortamet. Its primary use is to reduce the glucose content in blood sugar levels. Being one of the least expensive to produce it is has now become possibly the widest used treatment of anti diabetic that is available on the market. Metformin works by reducing the amount of blood sugar that is pumped into the system by the liver it does not produce insulin, but increases the body’s sensitivity to its own naturally produced insulin making the risk of hypoglycaemia due to a low blood sugar count nearly impossible.
Before thinking about starting a course of Metformin treatment, patients should have a consultation with their medical practitioner to see if it will be a suitable drug for them to use. Some patients will be unable to take the drug especially if there is a history of renal or liver dysfunction. If your doctor is satisfied you are fit then a yearly check up should be carried out to see the effect the drug is having upon your system. It is advisable to only drink alcohol in moderation when taking Metformin.
When you are first prescribed Metformin by your health practitioner you should if in doubt ask whether it is safe to drink alcohol while taking the medication. It is generally thought that small quantities of alcohol do not harm the treatment. The occasional glass of red wine is supposed to be beneficial to health. It must be remembered though that the aim of taking Metformin as a diabetes treatment is to lower the blood sugar levels drinking excessive amounts of alcohol has the same effect, if a lot of alcohol is used in cooking the sugars from the alcohol remain after the spirit has been burnt off, and should be taken into consideration if you have been placed on a calorie controlled diet by your practitioner.
When taking Metformin to control type 2 diabetes it is not recommended to consume large amounts of alcohol. Drinking alcohol can increase the risk of a potentially life threatening condition called lactic acidosis. This is where the body produces a build up of lactic acid that cannot be neutralised quickly enough. When this happens the patient will feel nauseous and may have vomiting, a low blood pressure and a rapid pulse if lactic acidosis is suspected then medical advice should be sought immediately. One of the long term effects of excessive alcohol consumption is liver damage; this can manifest itself as cirrhosis this affects the livers ability to process the sugars in your system, and if Metformin is taken the chances of lactic acidosis will greatly increase. It must be stated though that Metformin will not actually induce lactic acidosis but if there are other health related issues, then being prescribed the tablets and not informing your health practitioner will only compound the problem
Metformin and Alcohol
Before thinking about starting a course of Metformin treatment, patients should have a consultation with their medical practitioner to see if it will be a suitable drug for them to use. Some patients will be unable to take the drug especially if there is a history of renal or liver dysfunction. If your doctor is satisfied you are fit then a yearly check up should be carried out to see the effect the drug is having upon your system. It is advisable to only drink alcohol in moderation when taking Metformin.
When you are first prescribed Metformin by your health practitioner you should if in doubt ask whether it is safe to drink alcohol while taking the medication. It is generally thought that small quantities of alcohol do not harm the treatment. The occasional glass of red wine is supposed to be beneficial to health. It must be remembered though that the aim of taking Metformin as a diabetes treatment is to lower the blood sugar levels drinking excessive amounts of alcohol has the same effect, if a lot of alcohol is used in cooking the sugars from the alcohol remain after the spirit has been burnt off, and should be taken into consideration if you have been placed on a calorie controlled diet by your practitioner.
When taking Metformin to control type 2 diabetes it is not recommended to consume large amounts of alcohol. Drinking alcohol can increase the risk of a potentially life threatening condition called lactic acidosis. This is where the body produces a build up of lactic acid that cannot be neutralised quickly enough. When this happens the patient will feel nauseous and may have vomiting, a low blood pressure and a rapid pulse if lactic acidosis is suspected then medical advice should be sought immediately. One of the long term effects of excessive alcohol consumption is liver damage; this can manifest itself as cirrhosis this affects the livers ability to process the sugars in your system, and if Metformin is taken the chances of lactic acidosis will greatly increase. It must be stated though that Metformin will not actually induce lactic acidosis but if there are other health related issues, then being prescribed the tablets and not informing your health practitioner will only compound the problem
Metformin and Alcohol
