Ethanol and risk of hypoglycemia in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus: a brief overview for clinical practice

Abstract

Alcoholic drinks are one of the risk factors for hypoglycemia. Ethanol inhibits gluconeogenesis, decreases a level of growth hormone and impairs hypoglycemia awareness.

The risk of hypoglycemia while drinking alcohol can be reduced by parallel ingestion of food (saccharides). Some recommendations also mention the change of insulin doses

Keywords

• alcohol
• ethanol
• hepatic gluconeogenesis
• hypoglycemia