Beyond all the health and safety concerns about alcohol, if you
have diabetes and are on diabetes medications that lower blood
glucose, you need to practice caution. The action of insulin and
some diabetes pills, sulfonylureas and meglitinides (Prandin),
is to lower blood glucose by making more insulin. So, you should
not drink when your blood glucose is low or when your stomach is
empty. Alcohol can cause hypoglycemia shortly after drinking and
for 24 hours after drinking. So, if you want to drink alcohol,
check your blood glucose before you drink and eat either before
or while you drink. You should also check your blood glucose
before you go to bed to make sure it is at a safe level –
between 100 and 140 mg/dL. If your blood glucose is low, eat
something to raise it. The symptoms of too much alcohol and
hypoglycemia can be similar – sleepiness, dizziness, and
disorientation. You do not want anyone to confuse hypoglycemia
for drunkenness, because they might not give you the proper
assistance and treatment. T