Last Updated on November 7, 2022 by
If you are planning to lose weight, then you should begin with Metformin 500mg. This will help you lose weight naturally without much of a hassle. There are many diet supplements available in the market nowadays and all of them claim to be the best in terms of effectiveness and efficiency. But each one of them works differently for different people, which is why it’s important for every individual to try different products until they find something that suits their body type. Keeping this fact in mind, one must choose Metformin 500mg which has been medically created and tested by Banting specialists to treat diabetes, because this product is designed only to promote weight loss.
Metformin is a good way to help you lose weight. It is recommended that you talk to your health care provider before starting any new medications. Metformin work in the body by making it produces more insulin. This helps your body to keep blood sugar levels from getting too high after meals which in turn will make it easier for your body to use fat for energy. After all, if you want to take control of your weight, then this is the way to go. Here is why: I’m going to talk about Metformin 500mg For Weight Loss , make sure you read this article.
Metformin 500mg For Weight Loss
Objective: The efficacy of metformin for the treatment of obesity has been evaluated in few clinical trials with inconclusive results. Moreover, the effectiveness in a real-life outpatient setting has not been tested until today. In this study we aimed to examine the effectiveness of metformin as a weight reducing drug in obese and overweight patients with regard to their degree of insulin resistance.
Design and patients: We treated 154 consecutive patients with a body mass index ≥27 kg/m(2) in an outpatient setting over 6 months with metformin up to a dosage of 2,500 mg per day. Additionally, we included 45 untreated patients as controls. Patients were monitored for weight changes over 6 months. Before metformin treatment was started insulin sensitivity was determined in all patients by calculating HOMA index and Matsuda index after a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test.
Results: The mean weight loss in the metformin treated group was 5.8±7.0 kg (5.6±6.5%). Untreated controls gained 0.8±3.5 kg (0.8±3.7%) on average. Patients with severe insulin resistance lost significantly more weight as compared to insulin sensitive patients. The percentage of weight loss was independent of age, sex or BMI.
How Metformin works
Metformin works by lowering the amount of glucose released from the liver, and by helping existing insulin produced by the body work better, thus lowering blood sugar levels.
As your body is better able to metabolize glucose, your risk of diabetes complications such as heart disease, stroke, neuropathy, and even retinopathy substantially decrease.
Does Metformin cause weight loss?
While not technically classified as a weight-loss drug, researchers have found a strong link between taking Metformin and weight loss.
A longitudinal study published in the journal Diabetes Care concluded that Metformin can be successfully taken to lose excess body weight.
Metformin can help you lose weight for several reasons:
Better blood sugar control
Since Metformin is proven to improve insulin sensitivity and thus blood sugar control, people with type 2 diabetes whose bodies are not appropriately releasing insulin and regulating their blood sugars (i.e. have higher blood sugar levels despite also having excess insulin in their bloodstream), may see modest reductions in body weight.
This is mostly due to the fact that the body will stop over-releasing insulin into the bloodstream, and their bodies will start to metabolize glucose appropriately. When insulin resistance goes down, weight often does, too.
However, in a very small proportion of the population (mainly people with previously undiagnosed type 2 diabetes whose hba1c levels were extremely high), people may see a modest gaining of weight initially, especially if they were in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at diagnosis.
This is a very rare occurrence because most people with type 2 diabetes at diagnosis are still producing insulin and their hba1c is only slightly elevated. Furthermore, most people with type 2 diabetes are not in DKA at diagnosis; their bodies are still producing insulin to keep them out of DKA, but they’re just resistant to the insulin that’s being released by their pancreas.
Reduced hunger cues
One documented side effect of the drug is reduced hunger, which usually results from lower amounts of insulin in the blood and fewer blood sugar spikes that can send not only your blood sugar, but also your hunger, soaring.
Metformin also helps eliminate hunger cues. In one study of women that had type 2 diabetes (but were not on insulin), researchers found that of three groups (one group had a placebo pill, and the other two groups had varying amounts of Metformin), the group on the highest amount of Metformin (1,700 mg, three times per day), had significantly less hunger both before and after meals than the other two groups.
That group was also more likely to eat less than the other two groups as well.
Even just eating a few hundred fewer calories per day can cause moderate, noticeable, weight loss over time. Eating 200 fewer calories per day for only 18 days can cause you to lose 1 pound of body fat (which is equal to 3,500 calories).
Eating 200 fewer calories per day for an entire year can cause you to lose over 20 lbs! Small, subtle changes can make a big difference.
Healthier lifestyle habits
Many people may lose weight while taking Metformin if they are also incorporating dietary changes and increasing their physical activity at the same time.
Starting a Metformin regimen without any lifestyle changes will most likely only lead to a modest drop in weight.
The following strategies will help accelerate your weight loss if you’ve just started on a Metformin regimen:
- Exercise for 30 or more minutes per day, most days of the week
- Incorporate resistance training 2-3 times per week
- Switch from all sugar-sweetened beverages to water or other no-calorie drinks
- Increase your protein intake and lower your added-sugar and refined carbohydrate intake
- Eat plenty of healthy fruits and vegetables
- Increase your fiber intake
Work with your doctor when creating an eating and activity plan that will work for you and your lifestyle.
Gastrointestinal upset
While not the most pleasant side effect, having an upset stomach with the accompanying nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea that can sometimes occur, can also contribute to weight loss in patients taking Metformin, especially when first beginning treatment.
According to a study published in the Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice, gastrointestinal upset is the chief complaint amongst patients when starting Metformin treatment in their original, tablet formation.
GI side effects can affect up to 63% of people who take Metformin! Bloating, nausea, and diarrhea can be so troubling that you may shirk eating meals, and subsequently eat fewer calories, resulting in weight loss.
If at any point you feel that your weight loss is dangerous (having trouble keeping your blood sugars stable or out of a dangerously low range) or you’re becoming dehydrated, contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical help.
What is the correct dosage to experience weight loss?
According to the Mayo Clinic, patients taking the oral extended-release tablets usually start between 500-1000 mg taken per day, and work their way up to 2,500 mg per day (not to exceed that amount).
If you are taking Metformin for weight loss, work with your doctor to determine the appropriate starting dose for you.
Do NOT increase your dose without your doctor’s guidance, as you may experience severe side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, and muscle weakness.
What is the average weight loss with metformin?
The typical weight loss after one year of Metformin use is only between 4-7 lbs. Many people believe that Metformin can act as a magic weight loss pill, but this is usually not the case.
If you are struggling with insulin resistance and ready to make lifestyle changes (altering your diet and adding in regular exercise), talk with your doctor about incorporating Metformin into your routine to aid in weight loss.
However, taking Metformin alone will not cause substantial weight loss.
What to do if you are losing too much weight on Metformin
If you are taking Metformin for insulin resistance, but feel that you are losing too much weight (or losing weight when you don’t want to be), know that any initial side effects, such as gastrointestinal discomfort, typically go away over time.
There may be other causes contributing to your weight loss, such as:
- Higher-than-normal blood sugar levels
- Ketones in your urine
- Other medications (thyroid or cancer drugs like chemotherapy, for example)
- Chronic diarrhea
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Food allergies
- Food intolerances, like Celiac Disease
- Depression
- Infection
If you are losing weight rapidly and don’t know why, call your doctor immediately.
They will be able to help you troubleshoot a solution, and potentially stop your Metformin treatment, if needed.
Can I take Metformin for weight loss without having diabetes?
In some instances, Metformin may be prescribed to people who do not have diabetes, but who are still struggling with either prediabetes or insulin resistance. In these cases, the weight loss would be a side effect of improving one’s insulin resistance.
Talk with your doctor if you feel you are experiencing insulin resistance and/or decreased insulin sensitivity.
If you don’t have prediabetes or insulin resistance, a doctor may prescribe Metformin “off-label” (without FDA approval) for moderate weight loss.
There are fewer peer-reviewed studies of the success of using Metformin off-label, but many people have found success when incorporating Metformin use with a healthier diet and exercise.
What are the uses for metformin?
- Metformin is used for treating type 2 diabetes in adults and children. It may be used alone or in combination with other diabetic medications.
- Metformin also has been used to prevent the development of diabetes in people who are at risk.
- Treatment of polycystic ovaries
- Weight gain due to medications used for treating psychoses.
What are the side effects of metformin?
The most common side effects with metformin are
- nausea,
- vomiting,
- gas,
- bloating,
- diarrhea and
- loss of appetite.
These symptoms occur in one out of every three patients. These side effects may be severe enough to cause therapy to be discontinued in one out of every 20 patients. These side effects are related to the dose of the medication and may decrease if the dose is reduced.
Metformin may also cause:
- weakness or lack of energy
- respiratory tract infections,
- low levels of vitamin B-12,
- low blood glucose (hyperglycemia)
- constipation,
- indigestion, muscle pain,
- heartburn, and
- chills.
A serious but rare side effect of metformin is lactic acidosis. Lactic acidosis occurs in one out of every 30,000 patients and is fatal in 50% of cases. The symptoms of lactic acidosis are
- weakness,
- trouble breathing,
- abnormal heartbeats,
- unusual muscle pain,
- stomach discomfort,
- light-headedness, and
- feeling cold.
Patients at risk for lactic acidosis include those with reduced function of the
- kidneys or liver,
- congestive heart failure,
- severe acute illnesses, and
- dehydration.
What is the dosage for metformin?
- For treating type 2 diabetes in adults, metformin (immediate release) usually is begun at a dose of 500 mg twice a day or 850 mg once daily. The dose is gradually increased by 500 mg weekly or 850 mg every two weeks as tolerated and based on the response of the levels of glucose in the blood. The maximum daily dose is 2550 mg given in three divided doses.
- If extended tablets are used, the starting dose is 500 mg or 1000 mg daily with the evening meal. The dose can be increased by 500 mg weekly up to a maximum dose of 2000 mg except for Fortamet (2500 mg of Fortamet, once daily or in two divided doses). Glumetza tablets (500 -1000mg formulations are given once daily (either 1000 to 2000mg). Fortamet and Glumetza are modified release formulations of metformin. Metformin should be taken with meals.
- For pediatric patients 10-16 years of age, the starting dose is 500 mg twice a day. The dose can be increased by 500 mg weekly up to a maximum dose of 2000 mg in divided doses.
- Children older than 17 years of age may receive 500 mg of extended release tablets daily up to a maximum dose of 2000 mg daily. Extended release tablets are not approved for children younger than 17 years of age.
- Metformin-containing drugs may be safely used in patients with mild to moderate renal impairment. Renal function should be assessed before starting treatment and at least yearly.
- Metformin should not be used by patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) below 30 mL/minute/1.73 m2 and starting metformin in patients with an eGFR between 30-45 mL/minute/1.73 m2 is not recommended.
- Metformin should be stopped at the time of or before administering iodinated contrast in patients with an eGFR between 30 and 60 mL/minute/1.73 m2; in patients with a history of liver disease, alcoholism, or heart failure; or in patients who will be administered intra-arterial iodinated contrast. Kidney function should be evaluated 48 hours after receiving contrast and metformin may be restarted if kidney function is stable.
Which drugs or supplements interact with metformin?
- Cimetidine (Tagamet), by decreasing the elimination of metformin from the body, can increase the amount of metformin in the blood by 40%. This may increase the frequency of side effects from metformin.
- Ioversol (Optiray) and other iodinated contrast media may reduce kidney function, which reduces elimination of metformin, leading to increased concentrations of metformin in the blood. Metformin should be stopped 48 hours before and after use of contrast media.
- Thiazide diuretics, steroids, estrogens, and oral contraceptives may increase blood glucose and reduce the effect of metformin. When these drugs are stopped, patients should be closely observed for signs of low blood glucose.
- Alcohol consumption increases the effect of metformin on lactate production, increasing the risk of lactic acidosis.
Is metformin safe to take if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?
- There are no adequate studies in pregnant women. Most experts agree that insulin is the best treatment for pregnant women with diabetes.
- Metformin is excreted into breast milk and can therefore be transferred to the nursing infant. Nursing mothers should not use metformin.
What else should I know about metformin?
- Metformin is available as
- Tablets: 500, 850, and 1000 mg
- Tablets (extended release): 500, 750, and 1000 mg.
- Solution: 100 mg/ ml
- Metformin should be stored at room temperature between 20 C to 25 C (68 F to 77 F).
- Metormin is available in generic versions of immediate release and extended release formulations.
- You need a prescription from your doctor to obtain metformin.
- Brand names available for metformin in the US include: