Glucophage tablets for weight loss: how to take, dosage

This drug is intended for people with insulin-independent diabetes and excess weight in order to lower the initial concentration of glucose in the blood serum, as well as to reduce this indicator stimulated by food intake. The active ingredient of the drug is metformin. It has a significant hypoglycemic effect, but, as stated in the instructions, selectively - in conditions of increased glucose content. For people whose initial glucose level is normal, the second effect remains - reducing the sugar level after eating. Metformin accelerates fat burning, inhibiting the absorption of carbohydrates from the digestive system and activating the process of glucose entering the muscle tissue for utilization. A magic pill that for some reason pharmacists do not address to those who want to lose weight. The drug has been used for more than half a century, and is indicated only for diabetics. After all, as a result of regular use of metformin, appetite decreases and food intake decreases. So, can people with normal blood sugar levels drink Glucophage for weight loss?

Strictly speaking, no. It can be harmful to type I diabetics and people with a little excess weight. Therapy with this drug should be carried out only under the supervision of a doctor, regularly taking the appropriate tests. However, it is not easy to find a doctor who will supervise the weight loss process. Doctors are usually against such use of this drug. Although some specialists believe that a short course will not cause harm to health.

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Indications glucophage for weight loss

There are no indications for the use of Glucophage for weight loss. This drug is used to treat insulin-independent diabetes and prevent the development of this form of the disease in patients with prediabetes, for whom diet therapy has not helped to achieve normal levels of glucose concentration in the blood serum.

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Release form

The release form is coated tablets, the names of which indicate the dosage of metformin in the drug. For example, Glucophage 500 contains 0.5 g of the active ingredient in one tablet. Tablets with an ordinary release of the active component are also available in dosages of Glucophage 850 and Glucophage 1000 (for patients taking high doses).

This product is also available in the form of Glucophage Long tablets – prolonged action with a slower absorption of the active ingredient compared to conventional forms, more than twice as slow. The dosages of the prolonged release drug are Glucophage 500 and Glucophage 750.

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Pharmacodynamics

Metformin reduces the initial blood glucose level by inhibiting gluconeogenesis, but does not affect the indicator within the normal range. Does not activate the production of endogenous insulin. Sensitizes insulin receptors of cells and stimulates the process of glucose utilization. Inhibits the process of glycogen breakdown in the liver to glucose and glucose absorption in the digestive tract.

Regardless of the hypoglycemic effect, it improves lipid metabolism – reduces the concentration of triglycerides and total cholesterol at the expense of “bad” cholesterol.

Taking the drug helps stop the patient from gaining weight or reduce it.

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Pharmacokinetics

Oral administration provides satisfactory absorption of the active ingredient, up to 60% of which is quickly absorbed by tissues. The active ingredient has a good distribution rate and almost does not react with serum albumins. The highest concentration of metformin in the serum is determined 2.5 hours after administration. Administration during meals reduces absorption and prolongs the period of reaching the maximum concentration.

A single dose of Glucophage XR (long) is absorbed much more slowly, the time to determine the highest concentration of the active substance is extended to 5-7 hours.

It is detected in breast milk.

It is practically not metabolized and is eliminated by the kidneys. Blood serum clearance of metformin in people with normal renal function occurs four times faster than that of creatinine, indicating active acidogenesis. The half-life is approximately 6.5 hours. Renal dysfunction leads to an increase in this indicator and promotes metformin accumulation.

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Dosing and administration

If this drug is prescribed by a doctor, he will prescribe a regimen depending on the body mass index and the patient's condition. In other cases, the drug is taken while adhering to a dietary diet (flour, sweet, fatty, alcoholic, even medicinal tinctures on alcohol are excluded), plant products are consumed, legumes are especially recommended. However, it is necessary to count calories, the optimal option is 1500 kcal per day. You cannot starve, if you feel hungry, it is advisable to eat or at least have a snack.

Moderate physical activity is necessary to utilize glucose sent to muscle tissue. But without fanaticism, intensive sports activities can lead to undesirable consequences.

Before starting the process of losing weight, it is advisable to take a blood test for sugar and a clinical detailed one. If there are deviations from the norm, it is better not to conduct experiments.

It is recommended to take the tablets before meals, without crushing and with drinking water. Start taking with a dosage of 0.5 g twice a day. If the drug is well tolerated within two to three days, the number of doses is increased to three. The recommended course duration is three weeks.

Some sources recommend stopping at taking 0.5 g metformin tablets three times a day. Others call the optimal daily dosage 2 g of the active substance, in some cases it is allowed to take the maximum dose - three grams per day. Some nutritionists agree with this, believing that weight loss can only be achieved by taking shock doses. When the choice falls on high doses, you can take Glucophage 1000 three times a day.

Tablets with prolonged release of the active substance are also used. They are taken before dinner, the entire daily dose at once. Absorption when taking this form is longer, which helps to smooth out undesirable effects. Taking Glucophage long tablets also begins with 0.5 g in the evening meal.

There are different opinions regarding the duration of the course of treatment. Different sources recommend taking it from three weeks to three months. The break between courses should be at least three months.

When taking this drug on your own, you should be guided, first of all, by your own well-being. It is necessary to monitor not only your weight, but it is also advisable to check your blood counts weekly; if there are any deviations from the norm, stop taking the drug and seek medical advice.

Lactic acidosis is manifested by the following symptoms: convulsive muscle contractions, accompanied by abdominal pain and digestive disorders, loss of strength, decreased body temperature and shortness of breath. The likelihood of developing this dangerous condition is increased by: renal and/or hepatic dysfunction, low-calorie diet (less than 1000 kcal per day), excessive physical activity, hypoxia, alcohol.

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Use glucophage for weight loss during pregnancy

Even for its intended purpose, despite the danger of diabetes for the fetus, pregnant and lactating women are not recommended to use this drug. Moreover, when taking the drug, patients should use reliable contraceptives.

Contraindications

Any serious health problems should make you refrain from experimenting with the drug, including:

• sensitization to the ingredients of the drug;
• digestive disorders;
• insulin coma, precoma, ketoacidosis;
• renal dysfunction (Reberg test < 60 ml/min), dehydration, severe infections, shock and other acute conditions that can provoke renal failure;
• oxygen deficiency and diseases with a high probability of its development (acute and chronic disorders of respiratory or cardiac function up to shock);
• liver dysfunction, alcohol intoxication, chronic alcoholism;
• low-calorie diet of the patient (daily diet <1000 kcal);
• lactic acidosis (including history);
• physical overload;
• diagnostic procedures using contrast fluids with iodine, surgical interventions (carried out no earlier than two days after discontinuing Glucophage).

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Side effects glucophage for weight loss

• digestive disorders (according to reviews – quite severe);
• liver dysfunction (inflammation);
• B12 folate deficiency anemia;
• sensitization to the components of the drug in the form of rashes accompanied by itching;
• lactic acidosis (with significant physical exertion).

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Overdose

Hypoglycemia has never developed with oral administration of doses significantly (more than forty times) higher than therapeutic doses, but lactic acidosis is possible. No antidote has been found for this condition. Hospitalization is mandatory, therapy is symptomatic, hemodialysis may be used to reduce lactic acid and metformin levels.

Interactions with other drugs

It is not recommended to take Glucophage for weight loss when the health condition requires therapy with any medications.

However, special attention should be paid to drugs that cause a hyperglycemic effect: danazol; systemic and local drugs that contain glucocorticosteroids; neuroleptics; injections of β2-antagonists.

It is also necessary to avoid concomitant use with drugs that can contribute to the development of hypoglycemia: blood pressure lowering drugs, salicylates, sulfonylurea derivatives, insulin, acarbose.

Combination with loop diuretics and alcohol-containing drugs can cause lactic acidosis. For the same reason, Glucophage is incompatible with alcohol.

It is not recommended to use it simultaneously with iodine-containing medications and vitamin complexes.

Cationic drugs (digoxin, amiloretic agents, morphine, procainamide, quinine and its derivatives, ranitidine, triamterene and its synonyms, vancomycin and trimethoprim), as well as nifedipine increase the maximum concentration of the active component of Glucophage.

Store for three to five years at temperatures up to 25°C.

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Reviews

As usual, reviews of those losing weight are ambiguous. Positive ones note nausea at the beginning of taking the drug, which goes away over time. Almost everyone who has endured at least two months notes weight loss. Although there are reviews that after a long, in particular, three-year! Intake, the weight did not decrease, and the undesirable consequences tormented.

Many complain of severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, some - of fatigue and weakness, a constant desire to sleep. There are many reviews from people who stopped taking it because of side effects.

Experts are generally against this use of hypoglycemic drugs.

Synonyms of Glucophage have recently gained popularity as a means of weight loss, however, I would like to remind you that they are not so harmless and can cause a lot of harm, and even death is possible. Therefore, before using Siofor or Glucophage for weight loss, think about whether you need such extreme.