Metformin for weight loss: how to take and effectiveness

Metformin hydrochloride is also called glucophage. This drug is part of the biguanide group and is used to treat type 2 diabetes. But it is also used as a weight loss agent because it prevents the deposition of fat reserves. Metformin for weight loss is often used by athletes.

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Indications metformin for weight loss

Metformin is an oral hypoglycemic drug used to treat non-insulin-dependent diabetes in people who are prone to obesity.

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Release form

The medicine is available in tablets of 500, 850, and 1000 mg. One package may contain 30 or 60 or 120 tablets.

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Pharmacodynamics

The main property of metformin is the suppression/elimination of gluconeogenesis occurring in the patient's liver. In addition, it reduces the absorption of glucose in the gastrointestinal tract and reduces the amount of accumulated cholesterol. But if there is no insulin in the blood, this drug will be completely useless.

When losing weight, the medicine works as follows:

• increases the rate of oxidation of fatty acids;
• suppresses the processes of carbohydrate absorption occurring in the gastrointestinal tract;
• improves the process of glucose penetration into muscle tissue;
• reduces insulin production, as a result of which the feeling of hunger disappears;
• reduces weight, bringing it to a normal level for a given person.

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Pharmacokinetics

After use, metformin is almost completely absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract, and about 20-30% of it is excreted with feces. It takes about 2.5 hours to reach peak concentration. The bioavailability index is approximately 50-60%. If the drug is taken with food, metformin absorption is noticeably slower.

The drug binds to plasma proteins in small quantities. Metformin enters red blood cells. In the blood, the maximum concentration is lower than in the blood plasma, but both of these indicators reach their peak in the same time. The average distribution volume is approximately 63-276 l.

The drug is excreted in urine, it is excreted unchanged. It has no decay products.

The clearance rate of metformin in the kidneys is less than 400 ml/min, which indicates that excretion occurs through glomerular filtration and tubular secretion. The half-life after taking the drug is approximately 6.5 hours. If the patient has kidney disorders, the clearance decreases in accordance with the creatinine clearance rate, resulting in an increase in the half-life. As a result, the concentration of metformin in the blood plasma increases.

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Dosing and administration

The tablet should be swallowed whole or, for easier administration, it can be divided into 2 halves. The medicine should be washed down with water.

Basically, it is required to take the drug in a dosage of 500 mg twice a day before meals (lunch and dinner), but if this is not enough, you can add another dose in the morning - before breakfast in the same dosage. The duration of Metformin use for weight loss should not be more than 18-22 days. A repeat course is allowed after at least 1 month. When losing weight, along with taking the drug, you should regularly exercise to speed up the effect of the drug, because exercise speeds up the processing of extra pounds.

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Use metformin for weight loss during pregnancy

Metformin is contraindicated during pregnancy.

Contraindications

The medicine is considered completely harmless, but it still has some contraindications that need to be taken into account before starting to take it:

• Type 1 diabetes mellitus;
• lack of insulin in type 2 diabetes;
• the presence of renal, cardiac or pulmonary failure (as well as other severe pulmonary diseases);
• acute myocardial infarction;
• complications arising from diabetes in acute form;
• disorders of renal or hepatic function;
• severe injuries or infectious pathologies, as well as the postoperative period;
• presence of anemia;
• chronic alcoholism;
• low calorie diet.

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Side effects metformin for weight loss

Among the most common side effects of Metformin use are:

• development of lactic acidosis;
• deterioration of the absorption processes of vitamin B12;
• nausea with vomiting;
• frequent diarrhea;
• B12 deficiency anemia;
• rash on the skin;
• lowering blood glucose levels.

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Overdose

Overdose

Overdose symptoms occur when taking the drug in a dose of 85+ g. It manifests itself in the form of rapid intoxication with lactic acid. In this case, you need to urgently call a doctor - to perform a blood purification procedure. For this, hemodialysis is used. Then the therapy becomes symptomatic.

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Interactions with other drugs

When combined with iodine-containing radiocontrast agents in patients with diabetes mellitus accompanied by renal failure, lactic acidosis may develop. Metformin should not be used before radiological procedures (in which X-ray contrast agents are used), and its use can be resumed at least 48 hours after them.

It is not recommended to combine metformin with danazol, since simultaneous use increases the hyperglycemic effect of the latter. If it is necessary to use danazol, as well as immediately after its discontinuation, it is necessary to adjust the metformin dosage (while monitoring the glycemic index).

GCS with local or systemic action, as well as β2-sympathomimetics and diuretics in combination with metformin may provoke hyperglycemia. Blood sugar levels should be closely monitored, especially at the initial stage of therapy. During treatment with these drugs or immediately after their withdrawal, the metformin dosage should be adjusted in accordance with the glycemic index.

When combined with ACE inhibitors, the hypoglycemic effect may increase.

Taking large doses of chlorpromazine (100 mg per day) results in an increase in sugar levels, which weakens the process of insulin release.

During therapy with neuroleptics, as well as immediately after its withdrawal, the dosage of metformin should be adjusted, paying attention to the level of glycemia.

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Storage conditions

The medicine must be kept in a place protected from the sun, moisture and children. Temperature conditions – no more than 25ºС.

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Shelf life

Metformin can be used for 3 years from the date of manufacture of the drug.

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Diet for weight loss while taking Metformin

Before you start taking metformin, you should immediately tune in to the fact that this medicine is not a fat burner. It only helps to properly distribute the fat reserves deposited by the body, thereby complementing a healthy diet. That is why when using this medicine, you must give up the following foods:

• any product that contains sugar, because these are fast carbohydrates;
• pasta, various quick-cooking cereals, potatoes, and in addition white rice;
• If you do not do any physical exercise at the same time, your daily diet should be less than 1200 kcal.

Instead, you should eat lentils, buckwheat, brown rice, various vegetables (but not beets and carrots), and meat. It is also recommended to eat the following products:

• white cabbage, oatmeal;
• radishes, celery and turnips;
• turkey, rabbit or chicken meat;
• cottage cheese with kefir.

It should be noted that this diet differs from the so-called "drying" diet - it does not prohibit adding salt to dishes. In addition, it does not control the exact size of portions.

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Reviews of those who have lost weight and the results

In general, reviews of metformin for weight loss are not very positive - weight loss occurs rarely, and mostly in small quantities. At the same time, patients note that taking the drug provokes the appearance of many uncomfortable symptoms.

People who decide to use Metformin to reduce body weight need to carefully study the list of contraindications, as well as side effects, and in addition, follow the recommended dosage, without exceeding the norm.

Doctors' reviews

Metformin for weight loss has quite mixed reviews from doctors - their opinions on the benefits and harms of this drug for weight loss are divided. There are those who believe that it can normalize weight, and therefore prescribe it to healthy people as a means for losing weight. But there are also those who are sure that the pills will rather be harmful. Tests on this issue continue to be conducted, but they also prove that the decision regarding taking the drug for the purpose of losing weight should be made for each case individually, and under the supervision of a doctor.

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