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I have diabetes. Is it safe to drink alcohol?

Alcohol can lower your blood sugar, which can be dangerous. Also, the symptoms of low blood sugar can resemble alcohol intoxication. You might think you are just tipsy, when instead your blood sugar may be too low.

Drinking alcohol while taking insulin and sulfonylureas such as glipizide (brand name Glucotrol) and glyburide (>Diabeta or >Micronase) can increase your risk of low blood sugar. To reduce this risk, don't have more than one or two per day and have your drinks with food. You should also limit your use of alcohol while taking metformin (>Glucophage) because of the increased risk of lactic acidosis—a rare, but serious side effect of metformin.

If you do decide to drink, do so moderately and only with meals. Drinks should be limited to one per day for women and two per day for men. A drink is 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits.

Remember also that alcohol provides extra calories, which you should include in your diet plan. One drink is equal to about 90 calories.

Sources:
American Diabetes Association Complete Guide to Diabetes. American Diabetes Association, 1997.
101 Tips for Improving your Blood Sugar. American Diabetes Association, 1999.
Hansten, P.D., J.R. Horn. Drug Interactions Analysis and Management, Applied Therapeutics, 1999.
Micromedex® Healthcare Series. Thomson Micromedex, 2006.
Valmadrid, C.T. "Alcohol intake and the risk of coronary heart disease mortality in persons with older-onset diabetes mellitus." Journal of the American Medical Association, 282 (1999).
Drug Facts and Comparisons. Facts & Comparisons, 2006.

This answer prepared 5/25/2000.
This information updated 12/6/2006.

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