How Alcohol with metformin Affects Your Medications
Avoid heavy or binge drinking while taking metformin and talk to your provider about safe limits.
This interaction is generally considered moderate in severity.
How It Happens
Heavy alcohol use with metformin increases the risk of a rare but serious condition called lactic acidosis and can also cause low blood sugar.
What to Do
Avoid heavy or binge drinking while taking metformin and talk to your provider about safe limits.
Medication Classes Affected
Specific Medications to Watch
Sources
This information is educational — not medical advice.
This page is provided for general educational purposes and summarizes publicly available data from sources such as the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. It is not a substitute for the judgment of a licensed clinician and should not be used to start, stop, or change any medication. It may be incomplete or out of date, and individual circumstances vary. Always talk with your prescriber or pharmacist about your specific medications and health conditions. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911.