Last Updated on November 7, 2022 by

Losing weight is hard, but why make it harder? Mega-dosing on metformin does have side effects, but the good news is that of those who respond to this drug, 80% of patients lose an excess of 30 pounds. Plus diet and exercise can lower you blood glucose levels enough to make it unnecessary to use this drug!

Metformin 500 mg is one of the most promising drugs for weight loss. It can be used in type 2 diabetes cases and other metabolic disorders. While it is used for controlling blood sugar in patients, metformin acts on the body preventing a lot of aberrations that lead to obesity. Below are few reviews for Metformin 500 MG to help you decide whether you should buy it. You can learn more about how Metformin 500 MG For Weight Loss by visiting my site at https://foodkeg.com/.

Metformin 500 MG For Weight Loss

Metformin is a drug for managing blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. You may have heard that metformin can also help you lose weight. But is it true?

Here’s what you should know about what metformin can do for weight loss, as well as why a doctor or healthcare professional may prescribe it for you.

Can metformin cause weight loss?

The FDA doesn’t approve metformin as a stand-alone weight loss drug.

However, people using metformin for other means may lose weight as a side effect. The exact mechanism of this is unclear. Unlike other diabetes medications, metformin doesn’t cause weight gain.

Appetite reduction

One theoryTrusted Source is that metformin prompts you to eat less by reducing your appetite. However, the methods by which metformin affects appetite aren’t clear.

Metformin may interfere with the gut microbiota, prompt the release of appetite-suppressing hormones, and affect appetite-regulating parts of the brain.

Some people who take metformin may also experience diarrhea, bloating, and nausea. These side effects may reduce how much a person wishes to eat.

Long-term weight loss

One long-term studyTrusted Source of people with diabetes assessed weight loss over 15 years. Researchers found that in people who lost more than 5% of body weight in the first year, those taking metformin had greater success with maintaining weight loss in years 6 to 15.

However, taking the drug without following other healthy habits may not lead to weight loss. Individuals who follow a healthy diet and exercise while taking metformin tend to lose the most weight.

In addition, any weight loss you have may only last as long as you take the medication. That means if you stop taking metformin, there’s a good chance you’ll return to your original weight. And even while taking the drug, you may slowly gain back any weight you’ve lost.

Will my doctor prescribe metformin for weight loss?

If you have type 2 diabetes or prediabetes and are overweight or have obesity, a doctor may prescribe metformin to help you manage your diabetes or lower your risk of developing it.

In fact, a doctor might prescribeTrusted Source metformin for weight loss even if you don’t have diabetes or prediabetes. This is an off-label use.

Off label means that the FDA hasn’t approved a drug for a specific use, which in this instance is as a weight loss aid. As a result, there’s less information about how effective it is for this purpose.

What is the dose for weight loss?

Metformin is a diabetes medication. There are no official dose recommendations for it as a weight loss aid.

If a doctor prescribes metformin for you off label, they’ll decide on a dose that’s right for you and your medical circumstances. You’ll likely start metformin at a low dose and gradually increase it over a few weeks. This can help minimize any side effects.

One off-label use of metformin is for antipsychotic drug-induced weight loss. Doses for immediate-release metformin can range from 750 mg to 2,000 mgTrusted Source. Extended-release doses may range from 500 mg to 2,000 mg.

What else can cause weight loss?

If you’re losing weight while taking metformin, it may or may not be the result of the medication. Weight loss can result from other factors as well.

Digestive issues

Digestive system issues may also cause weight loss. These issues include:

• diarrhea
• irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• infections of the stomach or intestines
• surgeries of the stomach or intestines

Other health conditions

Some health conditions may also cause loss of appetite, which can lead to weight loss. These conditions include:

• depression
• stress
• anxiety
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• cancer
• AIDS
• Parkinson’s disease

Medications

• Other medications may also cause weight loss. For example, chemotherapy drugs may do this by reducing your appetiteTrusted Source.
• Certain thyroid medications boost your metabolism, which can cause weight loss. One symptom of an underactive thyroid is weight gain. Taking medications to treat this may cause weight loss as hormones rebalance. These drugs include levothyroxine, liothyronine, and liotrix.
• Other drugs that may cause weight loss as a side effect include some attention deficit hyperactivity disorder drugs, such as amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall) and methylphenidate (Concerta).

What if I’m worried about my weight loss?

Keep in mind that metformin is a relatively safe drug with side effects that usually go away over time. Any weight loss you may have while taking it should be gradual and minimal and not cause alarm.

If you’re concerned about the amount of weight you’ve lost while taking metformin, talk with a doctor. They can help determine what’s causing your weight loss.

Whether or not you take metformin, you should call a doctor if you’re losing weight rapidly and have no energy or appetite. In general, you should feel free to call any time you have questions or concerns about your health or your weight.

Talk with a doctor

The road to weight loss varies from person to person. Still, the weight loss method doctors typically recommend is a combination of a balanced diet and exercise. For more information, read about diabetes-safe diets and exercise tips for people with diabetes.

Talk with a doctor to learn more about metformin and weight loss. They can answer your questions and help you find a weight loss plan that’s right for you. Some questions you might ask include:

• Can you recommend a diet and exercise program to help me lose weight?
• Do I need medication to help me lose weight?
• What’s a reasonable weight loss goal for me?
• Should I work with a dietitian to help with my diet?
• If I lose weight, could I stop taking some medications for diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure?

Does Metformin Cause Hair Loss?

RECALL OF METFORMIN EXTENDED RELEASE

In May 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Trusted Source recommended that some makers of metformin extended release remove some of their tablets from the U.S. market. This is because an unacceptable level of a probable carcinogen (cancer-causing agent) was found in some extended-release metformin tablets. If you currently take this drug, call your healthcare provider. They will advise whether you should continue to take your medication or if you need a new prescription.

Metformin (metformin hydrochloride) is a drug commonly prescribed to people with type 2 diabetes or hyperglycemia. It lowers the amount of sugar produced in your liver and increases muscle cell sensitivity to insulin. It’s also sometimes used to treat polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Does metformin cause hair loss?

There is little scientific evidence that metformin directly causes hair loss.

There have been a few isolated reports of hair loss in people taking metformin. In one reportTrusted Source, a person with type 2 diabetes who took metformin and another diabetes drug, sitagliptin, experienced eyebrow and eyelash hair loss. It’s possible that this was a medication-related side effect, but this isn’t entirely clear. There may have been other causes.

A 2013 studyTrusted Source suggested that long-term use of metformin can cause a decrease of vitamin B-12 and folate. Also, a 2015 case-control studyTrusted Source found a relation between those who had alopecia and high blood sugar levels.

If you’re taking metformin for hyperglycemia and aren’t getting enough vitamin B-12, your hair loss might be caused by either of those conditions and not directly by the metformin. The link between vitamin B-12 levels, hyperglycemia, and hair loss isn’t entirely clear.

Other related causes for hair loss

While metformin may not be the cause of your hair loss, there are a few factors that might contribute to your hair thinning, breaking, or falling out while you’re taking metformin. This includes:

• Stress. Your body could be stressed due to your medical condition (diabetes or PCOS), and the stress may contribute to temporary hair loss.
• Hormones. Diabetes and PCOS can impact your hormone levels. Fluctuating hormones could affect your hair growth.
• PCOS. One of the common symptoms of PCOS is thinning hair.
• Hyperglycemia. High blood sugar can cause damage to your blood vessels, which may affect your hair growth.

Metformin and vitamin B-12

If you’re experiencing hair loss while taking metformin, talk to your doctor about the link between metformin and vitamin B-12. Although your body doesn’t need a lot of vitamin B-12, too little of it can cause serious issues, including:

• hair loss
• lack of energy
• weakness
• constipation
• loss of appetite
• weight loss

Metformin may increase the risk of side effects related to a vitamin B-12 deficiency. If you’re taking metformin, losing hair, and are concerned about a vitamin B-12 deficiency, talk to your doctor about supplementing your diet with foods that contain vitamin B-12, such as:

• beef
• fish
• eggs
• milk

Your doctor might also recommend a vitamin B-12 supplement.

Natural remedies for hair loss

Here are a few simple things you can do at home to help slow the process of hair loss.

1. Lower your stress level. Reading, drawing, dancing, or other pastimes you enjoy can help reduce stress.
2. Avoid tight hairstyles like ponytails or braids that may pull or tear your hair.
3. Avoid hot hair treatments such as straightening or curling your hair.
4. Make sure you’re getting adequate nutrition. Nutrient deficiencies might increase hair loss.

If your hair loss is caused by an underlying health condition, consult with your doctor about treating that specific issue.

When to see a doctor

If you have noticed that your hair is thinning, breaking, or falling out, talk with your doctor. It might be a sign of an underlying condition.

Make an immediate appointment with your doctor if:

• your hair loss is sudden
• your hair is coming out rapidly with no warning
• your hair loss is causing stress

Many drugs can cause hair loss, which can put stress on the condition you’re being treated for. Metformin isn’t a known cause of hair loss. However, the conditions treated by metformin — type 2 diabetes and PCOS — often list hair loss as a possible symptom. Therefore, your hair loss might be caused by the underlying condition as opposed to the treatment.

Make sure you keep an eye on your blood sugar, stress levels, and other things that may cause your hair to break or thin. Your doctor should be able to diagnose the cause of your hair loss and recommend some treatment options.

Is Long-Term Weight Loss Possible on Metformin?

Even though metformin can help you shed pounds, the amount you lose might be far less than expected. On average, weight loss after one year on the drug is only 6 pounds, according to the Diabetes Care study.

So while metformin is often given to people with high insulin levels who have difficulty losing weight, it’s not a miracle weight loss solution, says Dr. Sood. In other words, don’t expect a dramatic change in weight if you overeat and lead a sedentary life. You must follow a sensible weight loss plan with healthy eating and physical activity to see any significant change in weight.

“If someone isn’t following healthy habits, then taking metformin will not result in weight loss,” she says. “It’s important to follow a healthy diet low in refined sugars and carbohydrates if [you are] prone to high insulin levels so that maximum benefit from the medication is received.”

Keep in mind that while the number on the scale might drop while taking this medication, this weight loss may be temporary. You could regain pounds once you stop taking the drug and your appetite returns to normal, hence the importance of sticking with a healthy lifestyle.

If you’re thinking about taking metformin with a weight loss medication, ask your doctor for recommendations. This combination could help you lose and keep off additional pounds, although there’s little to no clinical trial data to support this claim, says Sood.

Can People Without Diabetes Take Metformin?

What if you don’t have type 2 diabetes? Can you still take metformin for weight loss? This is an excellent question, and the short answer is yes. Sood explains that metformin has been used off-label, or outside its intended purpose, for weight management.

In fact, a review published in December 2018 in the European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology examining the efficacy of metformin for weight loss in overweight and obese people without diabetes concluded that the drug could significantly decrease body mass index in both adolescents and adults.

But because this drug is only available by prescription and hasn’t been approved for weight loss by the Federal Drug Administration, your doctor will likely first recommend some of these traditional strategies for weight loss:

• Avoid sugary drinks.
• Drink water before meals to fill your stomach so that you eat less.
• Exercise for 30 minutes most days of the week.
• Prepare whole foods, such fruits, vegetables, and grains.
• Limit your intake of processed foods.
• Eat a high-protein, low-carb, low-fat diet.
• Practice portion control.

If you don’t have type 2 diabetes, your doctor may sign off on this drug if you’re obese and struggling to lose weight. But again, metformin isn’t a substitute for healthy eating and regular exercise, which are keys to sustainable weight loss. These habits also encourage weight loss if you have type 2 diabetes but can’t take metformin.

“For those patients with diabetes who can’t take metformin, due to chronic kidney disease or other concerns, diet and lifestyle modifications will still be of utmost importance, whether they’re prescribed alternate medication or not. Controlling carbohydrate intake, increasing physical activity, and managing stress is the cornerstone of improving glycemic control,” says Magnotta.

“Make it a point to stand up every hour or so and walk around the room, the yard, or the block. Little bits of physical activity over the day add up, resulting in the burning of more calories as a result,” she says.

The Bottom Line on Metformin and Weight Loss

All things considered, metformin can cause a modest reduction in weight, most likely due to side effects, like a decreased appetite and an upset stomach. But although effective for weight loss, the drug doesn’t replace traditional dieting methods. So if you’re looking to lose more and keep the weight off longer, you have to get active and eat right.