Byetta and Alcohol

Even though there is no specific interaction between Byetta and alcohol, there are reasons why you may not want to combine them. Because alcohol can inhibit the liver's ability to make more glucose, taking alcohol along with Byetta can increase your risk of low blood sugar levels. Also, Byetta is designed to be taken with other diabetes drugs -- and some of these diabetes medications should not be taken with alcohol.

Byetta and Alcohol: An Overview

Byetta^® (exenatide) is a prescription medication licensed to treat type 2 diabetes in combination with other diabetes medication. Although there is no specific interaction between Byetta and alcohol, there are reasons why you may want to avoid the combination.

Byetta and Alcohol Interaction -- What's the Risk?

There is no specific warning against drinking alcohol while taking Byetta. However, alcohol can cause problems for people with diabetes. Although alcohol contains carbohydrates, it can increase your risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). This is due to alcohol's effects on the liver. Normally, the liver can respond to correct low blood sugar by making more glucose. However, alcohol can inhibit this process, decreasing the liver's ability to increase blood sugar.

Byetta is licensed only for use with other diabetes drugs. Because some diabetes medications should not be taken with alcohol, you may want to avoid drinking alcohol while taking Byetta because of these other medications.

Byetta and Alcohol: Suggestions

It's a good idea to ask your healthcare provider whether it would be okay for you to drink alcohol in your specific situation.

To help avoid low blood sugar, do not drink on an empty stomach. Also, limiting your number of drinks to two (for men) or one (for women) can help to decrease your risk of low blood sugar.