Lactic acidosis because of alcohol while on Metformin?
Question:
I'm by no means a heavy drinker, in fact I maybe drink 1/4th a bottle of beer a month, but I wasn't sure of how much alcohol can be drank before lactic acidosis. I figured maybe it would take a lot but I want to make sure. I wouldn't want it to be one of those two sips and you take a chance deals, but I'm sure it probably is...
So.how much alcohol before this happens?
Answers:
I would imagine that it takes quite a few drinks before lactic acidosis occurs considering only about 1 in 33,000 people taking metformin experience lactic acidosis.
Certainly I would avoid drinking every day or having a bunch of drinks in a short period of time, but I'm sure you could have at least one drink with no problems (you should probably keep a close eye on your glucose levels after that drink, just to make sure).
I drink a beer occasionally and take Metformin and have never had any problems with lactic adicosis, but the best bet would be to ask your Dr...
I've had 24 ounce beers before without it. I've also consumed entire bottles of wine without getting it. While I would never recommend that any other diabetic drink alcohol, I can say that your risk is pretty low based on my experience. I can tell you that I felt terrible the next day after the wine, but it wasn't lactic acidosis... it was a hangover.
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