Glucophage tablets for weight loss: how to take, dosage

This drug is addressed to people with insulin-independent diabetes and overweight in order to reduce the initial concentration of glucose in the blood serum, as well as to reduce this index 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 high glucose content. For people who have a baseline glucose level in the norm, the second action remains - a reduction in the level of sugar after a meal. Metformin accelerates fat burning by inhibiting the digestion of carbohydrates from the digestive system and activating the process of getting glucose into muscle tissue for disposal. Magic tablet, which for some reason pharmacists do not address those who want to lose weight. The drug has been used for more than half a century, and is only shown to diabetics. After all, as a result of regular use of metformin decreases appetite and reduces food intake. So, is it possible to drink Glucophage for losing weight to people with normal blood sugar levels?

Strictly speaking, no. Diabetics with type I disease and people with a little overweight can do harm. Therapy with this drug should be done 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 process of losing weight. Physicians are usually against this use of this drug. Although some experts believe that a short course will not cause damage to health.

[1], [2], [3]

Indications of the glucosephase for weight loss

Indications for use Glucophage for weight loss are absent. This drug is for the treatment of insulin-independent diabetes and the prevention of this form of the disease in patients with prediabetes, which diet therapy did not help to achieve normal values of glucose concentration in the blood serum.

[4], [5], [6]

Release form

The form of release - tablets in a shell, whose names speak about the dosage of metformin in the preparation. For example, Glucophage 500 contains 0.5 g of the active ingredient in one tablet. Tablets with a single release of the active ingredient are also available in the dosages Glucophage 850 and Glucophage 1000 (for patients taking high doses).

This product is also available in the form of Glucophage Long tablets - a prolonged action with a slower than in conventional forms, more than twice the absorption of the active ingredient. Produced dosages of the sustained release preparation are Glucophage 500 and Glucophage 750.

[7]

Pharmacodynamics

Metformin reduces the baseline level of glucose in the blood by inhibiting gluconeogenesis, however, it does not affect the indicator that is within the normal range. Does not activate the production of endogenous insulin. It sensitizes the insulin receptors of cells and stimulates the process of glucose utilization. Inhibits the process of cleavage in the liver of glycogen to glucose and the absorption of glucose in the digestive tract.

Regardless of the hypoglycemic effect, it improves lipid metabolism - reduces the concentration of triacylglycerides and total cholesterol at the expense of "bad".

Taking the drug helps to stop the weight gain of the patient or reduce it.

[8], [9], [10],

Pharmacokinetics

Oral administration ensures a satisfactory absorption of the active ingredient, up to 60% of which is quickly absorbed by the 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 after 2.5 hours after administration. Admission during meals reduces absorption and lengthens the period of reaching maximum concentration.

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

It is defined in breast milk.

Almost not metabolized and eliminated by the kidneys. Purification of blood serum from metformin in people with normal renal function occurs four times faster than from creatinine, which indicates active acidogenesis. The half-life is approximately 6.5 hours. Renal dysfunction leads to an increase in this index and promotes cumulation of metformin.

[11], [12], [13]

Dosing and administration

If this medication is prescribed by a doctor, he will schedule the regimen depending on the body mass index and the patient's condition. In other cases, the drug is taken, adhering to a dietary diet (excludes flour, sweet, fatty, alcoholic, even medicinal tinctures of alcohol), overlap with plant products, especially recommended legumes. However, it is necessary to consider calories, the best option is 1500kcal per day. It is impossible to starve, when there is a feeling of hunger, it is desirable to eat or at least eat.

Required moderate exercise for the utilization of glucose sent to muscle tissue. But without fanaticism, intense sports can lead to undesirable consequences.

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

Take tablets recommended before meals, without crushing and drinking with drinking water. Start with a dosage of 0.5 g twice daily. With normal tolerability within two to three days, increase the number of receptions to three. The recommended course duration is three weeks.

Some sources recommend stopping three times taking the tablets with 0.5 g of metformin. Others - called the optimal daily dosage of 2g 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 be achieved only by taking shock doses. When the choice falls on high doses, you can take three times a day Glucophage 1000.

The tablets with prolonged release of the active substance are also used. They take before dinner at once the entire daily dose. Absorption when taking this form is longer, which helps to smooth out unwanted actions. Reception of Glucophage long tablets also begin with 0.5 g in the evening meal.

There are different interpretations regarding the duration of the course of treatment. Various sources recommend its reception from three weeks to three months. The break between the courses must be at least three months.

To be guided at an independent reception of the given preparation is necessary, first of all, the state of health. Necessarily need to monitor not only the weight, but it is desirable to check the blood counts weekly if there are deviations from the norm - stop taking the drug and seek medical advice.

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

[17], [18],

Use of the glucosephase for weight loss during pregnancy

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

Contraindications

Any serious abnormalities in the state of health should lead to abandon the experiments with the drug, including:

• sensitization to the ingredients of the drug;
• digestive disorders;
• insulinic coma, precoma, ketoacidosis;
• renal dysfunction (Reberg sample <60 ml / min), dehydration, severe infections, shock and other acute conditions that can provoke kidney 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 nutrition of the patient (daily ration <1000 kcal);
• lactate acidosis (including in the anamnesis);
• physical overload;
• diagnostic measures using contrasting liquids with iodine, surgical interventions (no earlier than two days after Glucophage cancellation).

[14], [15]

Side effects of the glucosephase for weight loss

• digestive disorders (according to reviews - strong enough);
• dysfunction (inflammation) of the liver;
• B12-folic deficiency anemia;
• sensitization to the components of the drug in the form of rashes, accompanied by itching;
• lactate acidosis (with significant physical exertion).

[16]

Overdose

When ingested doses, significantly (more than forty times) exceeding therapeutic, never developed hypoglycemia, however, lactate acidosis is possible. Antidote for this state is not detected. Hospitalization is mandatory, symptomatic therapy, hemodialysis can be used to reduce levels of lactic acid and metformin.

Interactions with other drugs

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

However, special attention is required for drugs that cause a hyperglycemic effect: danazol; systemic and local drugs, which include glucocorticosteroids; antipsychotics; injections of β2-antagonists.

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

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

It is undesirable simultaneous use with iodine containing medicines and vitamin complexes.

Cationic preparations (digoxin, amyloretics, 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 glucosulphate.

Keep from three to five years, observing the temperature regime up to 25 ° C.

[19], [20], [21]

Reviews

As usual, the reviews of losing weight are mixed. In the positive there is nausea at the beginning of the drug, which eventually passes. Loss of weight is noted by almost all who survived at least two months. Although there are reviews that after a long, in particular, three-year! Reception weight did not decrease, and undesirable consequences were tortured.

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

Specialists, in general, are against such a use of hypoglycemic medication.

Synonyms Glukofazha recently gained popularity as a means to reduce weight, but I want to recall that they are not so harmless and can cause a lot of harm, and a possible fatal outcome is possible. Therefore, before using Siofor or Glukofazh for weight loss, think about whether you need such an extreme.