Can I drink alcohol while taking metformin?

Feb 19, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Liu Feng

Introduction

Common formulations of metformin include tablets and capsules. Under normal circumstances, alcohol should be avoided during metformin treatment. If necessary, it should be used under the guidance of a doctor. Metformin is a commonly used antidiabetic drug, primarily indicated for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It has certain side effects, including gastrointestinal adverse reactions and lactic acidosis.

Common formulations of metformin include tablets and capsules. Generally, alcohol consumption should be avoided while taking metformin. If discomfort occurs, prompt medical attention is recommended. Detailed explanations are as follows:

Metformin is a commonly used antidiabetic medication primarily indicated for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It has certain side effects, including gastrointestinal adverse reactions and lactic acidosis. Alcohol consumption can exacerbate the occurrence of lactic acidosis and increase the risk of adverse drug reactions. Alcohol interferes with the normal metabolism of metformin, potentially leading to drug accumulation in the body and increasing the likelihood of lactic acidosis. Furthermore, alcohol itself may irritate the gastrointestinal tract, and combined with metformin, it may worsen gastrointestinal discomfort such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

Alcohol consumption may also affect the efficacy of metformin. Metformin is primarily excreted through the kidneys, and alcohol intake increases the burden on the kidneys, which may reduce the metabolic and excretory rate of metformin, thereby affecting its blood glucose-lowering effect. At the same time, alcohol itself may cause blood glucose fluctuations, which are detrimental to glycemic control in diabetic patients. When metformin and alcohol act together, they may increase the risk of hypoglycemia, and such hypoglycemia could be more severe and difficult to correct, posing a serious threat to the patient's health.

Patients should also maintain healthy dietary habits, consume an appropriate amount of carbohydrates, and avoid excessive intake of high-sugar and high-fat foods.

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What should you eat before drinking alcohol to avoid getting drunk easily?

Generally speaking, there is no specific food that one should eat before drinking alcohol to prevent intoxication. Food can delay the absorption of alcohol. Medications should be selected according to symptoms and may generally include milk, bread, eggs, yogurt, oats, etc. Commonly used medications include sucralfate oral suspension, magnesium aluminum carbonate chewable tablets, compound aluminum hydroxide tablets, domperidone tablets, and vitamin B6 tablets.

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What diseases are people who drink alcohol regularly prone to?

Under normal circumstances, people who regularly consume alcohol may be prone to develop alcoholic liver disease, chronic gastritis and gastric ulcers, hypertension and atherosclerosis, alcoholic encephalopathy, and gastrointestinal cancers. Alcohol is primarily metabolized in the liver, and its metabolic product, acetaldehyde, can damage liver cells, interfere with fat metabolism, and trigger fatty liver disease. Long-term excessive alcohol consumption can further progress to hepatitis and liver fibrosis.