May 22, 2012
Topics A-Z Drugs Avoid or limit alcohol use while taking metformin
Avoid or limit alcohol use while taking metformin |
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Dear Ask The Doctor: I am on Lisinopril, Januvia and Metformin for Type 2 diabetes. I have always had no more than 3 beers at night but after I went on these medications I would develop shakiness, sweating, blackouts and anxiety the next day. I am not an alcoholic and have always kept it to 3 (I know, two is the limit). These symptoms started right after the medication. Is there a drug interaction going on with the alcohol? Dear Steven: The symptoms you describe suggest that you are experiencing both hypoglycaemia and hypotensive episodes, where your blood sugar and blood pressure are low respectively. Ethanol when consumed initially raises blood sugar but as it is metabolised it may cause low blood sugar. It is advised to avoid excessive acute or chronic ethanol use with metformin because there is an increased risk of both lactic acidosis and hypoglycaemia. In addition Januvia (sitagliptin) may enhance the hypoglycemic effect, and lower your blood sugar further. Ethanol may cause vasodilatation of the blood vessels producing the characteristic flushed appearance, which may lower blood pressure, in addition to Lisinopril, a medication used to lower blood pressure. I would advise avoiding or limiting alcohol consumption while on these medications. |
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| Last Updated ( Monday, 03 January 2011 ) |
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