Can I drink alcohol while I am taking Synjardy?
Speak with your doctor about the amount of alcohol you can drink, if any, while taking Synjardy or Synjardy XR. You should avoid drinking alcohol frequently or "binge" drinking (consuming a lot of alcohol in a short period of time) while taking this medicine. These actions can increase your chances of getting serious side effects.
- Excessive drinking of alcohol (ethanol) with Synjardy or Synjardy XR can lead to a rare but dangerous condition known as lactic acidosis.
- In lactic acidosis, lactic acid builds up in the bloodstream faster than it can be removed. Metformin, one of the medicines in these medicines can lead to lactic acidosis.
- Be sure to tell your doctor if you drink alcohol very often, or drink a lot of alcohol in the short-term before you start taking Synjardy or Synjardy XR.
Alcohol intoxication may also lead to a dangerous low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) while taking Synjardy or Synjardy XR. You should avoid drinking alcohol very often, or drinking a lot of alcohol in a short period of time (“binge” drinking). Low blood sugar can be dangerous for patients that are being treated for type 2 diabetes.
What are the symptoms of lactic acidosis?
In general, signs and symptoms of lactic acidosis include:
- muscle weakness
- breathing faster than normal
- nausea
- vomiting
- coma (deep state of unconsciousness)
Lactic acidosis is a medical emergency and must be treated in a hospital. If you should experience symptoms of lactic acidosis while taking Synjardy, call 911 or get emergency help immediately.
Related questions
- What is the safest diabetes medication?
- What foods should I eat or avoid for hypoglycemia?
- Can you have hypoglycemia without diabetes?
Besides alcohol, what else increases my risk of lactic acidosis with Synjardy?
Other risk factors for lactic acidosis with the use of Synjardy or Synjardy XR are:
- kidney or liver disease or impairment
- use of some other medicines like carbonic anhydrase inhibitors or topiramate
- age older than 65 years
- certain X-ray procedures that use contrast
- surgery
- low oxygen levels in your blood, cells and tissues
Your doctor can diagnose lactic acidosis by using a blood test that measures the amount of lactate in your blood.
This is not all the information you need to know about Synjardy (empagliflozin and metformin) for safe and effective use and does not take the place of talking to your doctor about your treatment. Review the full Synjardy information here, and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.
References
- Synjardy (empagliflozin and metformin) [product information]. Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals. Ridgefield, CT. Revised Jan. 2020. Accessed March 8, 2021 at https://docs.boehringer-ingelheim.com/Prescribing%20Information/PIs/Synjardy/Synjardy.pdf
Read next
Mounjaro vs Ozempic: Which is right for you?
Mounjaro and Ozempic are prescription medicines used alongside diet and exercise to help control blood sugar (glucose) levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. Ozempic is also approved to lower the risk of a major cardiovascular event (like a heart attack or stroke) in patients with type 2 diabetes, as well as to reduce the risk of worsening kidney disease and heart-related death in patients with type 2 diabetes. Mounjaro has not yet received these indications, although studies are ongoing.
In a large, 2024 retrospective study in adults with overweight or obesity and treated for type 2 diabetes, Mounjaro led to at least a 5% weight loss within one year in 81.8% of adults compared to 66.5% of those using Ozempic. Continue reading
Zepbound Vs Mounjaro: Complete Comparison Guide for Weight Loss and Diabetes Treatment
Comprehensive comparison of Zepbound vs Mounjaro. Learn about their uses, dosing, effectiveness, costs, and safety profiles to understand which medication might be right for you. Continue reading
Ozempic Side Effects to Watch For
The most common Ozempic side effects with Ozempic include stomach problems, like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain and constipation. These tend to be mild-to-moderate and usually clear up in a few weeks in most people. Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is also a common side effect (when used with certain other diabetes treatments) and it can be serious. Continue reading
See also:
Aimovig
Learn about Aimovig (erenumab-aooe) a once-monthly, injectable medication that can be ...
Botox
Botox is used for cosmetic purposes and to treat overactive bladder symptoms, urinary incontinence ...
Ozempic
Learn about Ozempic (semaglutide) for type 2 diabetes treatment, weight management, cardiovascular ...
Nurtec ODT
Nurtec ODT (rimegepant) is used to treat acute migraines and prevent episodic migraines, by ...
Vyepti
Vyepti (eptinezumab-jjmr) is used for the preventive treatment of migraine. Includes Vyepti ...
Depakote
Depakote is used to treat various types of seizure disorders. Learn about side effects ...
Topamax
Topamax (topiramate) is used to prevent seizures in adults and children and to prevent migraine ...
Emgality
Emgality (galcanezumab-gnlm) is a CGRP antagonist for the preventive treatment of migraine and for ...
Inderal
Inderal (propranolol) is used to treat angina, high blood pressure and heart rhythm disorders ...
Related medical questions
- What is the connection between the endocrine system and osteoporosis?
- Which type of insulin has the longest duration of action?
- Why am I not losing weight on Mounjaro?
- What are the long-term side effects of Ozempic?
- How long does metformin take to work?
- Mounjaro side effects you need to be aware of
- How long does it take for Ozempic to work?
- Wegovy vs Ozempic: Which is Right for You?
- What is the natural Mounjaro recipe for weight loss?
- When is the best time to take metformin?
- How many doses are in an Ozempic pen?
- What is A1C? Normal vs dangerous levels, and how to lower It
- Tirzepatide vs semaglutide: How do they compare?
- Do Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro & Zepbound cause hair loss?
- What happens when you stop taking Ozempic?
- Can you switch between Ozempic and Mounjaro?
- Does Ozempic need to be refrigerated?
- Why does metformin cause diarrhea?
- Saxenda vs Ozempic: For Weight Loss?
- Will my insurance cover the cost of Ozempic?
- How does Mounjaro Work for Weight Loss?
- Can you get tirzepatide from a compounding pharmacy?
- Is Mounjaro covered by insurance or Medicare?
Drug information
- Synjardy Information for Consumers
- Synjardy prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Synjardy (detailed)
- Synjardy user reviews (24)
Related support groups
- Synjardy (1 questions, 4 members)
- Diabetes, Type 2 (505 questions, 1,428 members)