I Take Insulin, Can I Drink Alcohol?

Question: I Take Insulin, Can I Drink Alcohol?

Answer: No. People with diabetes who take medication to control their blood sugar -- insulin shots or oral diabetes pills -- run the risk of low blood sugar levels if they drink alcohol. When blood sugar levels drop, the liver normally begins to produce glucose from stored carbohydrates to compensate. But drinking alcohol blocks the liver's ability to produce glucose.

There are more reasons that people with diabetes should not drink alcohol. Please see: Diabetes and Alcohol.

_{Source:
American Diabetes Association. Alcohol. Accessed February 2008.}