{"id":17054,"date":"2020-11-13T10:28:17","date_gmt":"2020-11-13T15:28:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=17054"},"modified":"2025-08-20T15:13:35","modified_gmt":"2025-08-20T19:13:35","slug":"metformin-and-alcohol","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/metformin-and-alcohol\/","title":{"rendered":"Can I drink alcohol while taking metformin?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you are among the <\/span>38.4 million people with diabetes<\/span> in the United States, you may take a popularly prescribed drug called metformin. <\/span>Metformin<\/span><\/a>\u00a0is an FDA-approved diabetes medication that is used, along with diet and exercise, to improve blood sugar control in adults and children with Type 2 <\/span>diabetes<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As life is slowly returning to normal in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and social events that involve drinking alcohol are somewhat back in swing, you may be wondering: Do metformin and alcohol mix? Is it safe to take metformin with alcohol? Read on to find out.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can you drink alcohol with metformin?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Whether you enjoy an occasional drink with friends or have a daily nightcap, you may be wondering if you can mix metformin and alcohol. Is there a metformin and alcohol interaction?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The metformin drug label<\/a> states that you should avoid the combination of metformin with excessive alcohol use due to the risk of lactic acidosis. T<\/span>his includes both <\/span>immediate-release<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>extended-release metformin<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Certain patients are more susceptible to the hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) side effects of metformin<\/a>. <\/span>Hypoglycemia<\/span><\/a> can occur if your blood sugar levels fall below 70 mg\/dL. Hypoglycemia can come on quickly and include various symptoms, such as shakiness, irritability, confusion, weakness, dizziness, hunger, blurred vision, headaches, or even seizures.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you drink too much alcohol in a short time, you are more likely to experience low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Also, alcohol can mask the symptoms of low blood sugar, so if you are drinking, you may not even realize your blood sugar is low. Older, debilitated, or malnourished people and people with adrenal or pituitary problems are also more likely to become hypoglycemic. If you have one of these risk factors AND you drink excess alcohol, you have an even higher risk of hypoglycemia.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>FDA recalls certain forms of metformin<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

What are the signs of lactic acidosis with metformin?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Metformin comes with a <\/span>black box warning<\/span><\/a>, the most severe warning required by the FDA, due to the risk of lactic acidosis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Excessive alcohol intake is one risk factor for metformin-associated lactic acidosis.<\/span><\/p>\n

Metformin has been reported to cause lactic acidosis. Lactic acidosis is a buildup of lactic acid in the blood, which is a life-threatening medical emergency that requires treatment in the hospital.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Symptoms of lactic acidosis are often nonspecific and can include tiredness, muscle pain, difficulty breathing, and abdominal pain.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Metformin-associated lactic acidosis can cause hypothermia, low blood pressure, heart rate changes, and even death.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Can I drink alcohol if I have diabetes?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Most people with diabetes can drink <\/span>some alcohol<\/span><\/a>: 1 drink per day for women, or 2 drinks per day for men. But, be mindful of serving size. One drink equals one of the following:<\/span><\/p>\n