Metformin drug is normally prescribed by a doctor or a health care expert to treat patients who are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. This drug is approved by the USA FDA (Food and Drug Administration) which helps to prevent patients suffering from type 2 diabetes, obesity, etc. However, this medication has not been approved by the FDA for weight loss. Now the question is, ‘Does Metformin cause weight loss?’.
In the USA, some research and studies have shown that many people taking Metformin drugs lose weight up to some extent. Thus, this drug helps in controlling the blood sugar level and makes insulin more effective in a patient’s body.
In this blog, we will explain the common problems of weight loss in people, also about Metformin drug, its working, doses, and dosages, uses, side effects, safety precautions, and does it causes weight loss or not.
What are the Problems of Weight Loss in an Individual?
There are many problems of weight loss in people such as diabetes, eating disorders, etc. A person may suffer from these health conditions if he or she is not performing any physical activity or exercise.
Weight loss may often lead to underlying health conditions such as depression, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), etc.
In a study carried out on more than 3,000 people, it was found that those who took this drug had reduced their average weight up to 5.5 pounds (2.49 kg). After a year, it is also found that one-third of people who took Metformin had lost a minimum of 5% of their body weight. And, taking the medication for a longer period resulted in an average weight loss of 6.2%.
In addition, this drug can’t reduce so much weight as other diabetes drugs can reduce it. These drugs include liraglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy), tripeptide (Mounjaro, Zepbound), etc. In a study, the FDA has approved both Wegovy and Zepbound for treating weight loss.
What is Metformin?
Metformin is a branded medicine of Glucophage generic drug. This medication is typically administered by doctors for treating Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
This drug is the first-line medication and is recommended by both doctors and healthcare experts for patients who are at risk of Type 2 diabetes.
Metformin is an effective weight loss pill that helps in losing weight up to some extent and prevents gaining weight. When taking this drug without other drugs, it can lead to a weight loss of 0.7 to 3.8 kg (1.5 to 8.4 lbs), which is also the average weight loss in patients.
What is the Function of Metformin Drug?
The main function of this generic drug is it helps in reducing the appetite. It also helps in increasing the level of hormones in the patient’s body, which in turn makes them feel less hungry.
However, some doctors are not completely sure about how Metformin actually works in reducing weight loss. Also, some doctors suspected that this drug is a combination of other medications.
The other functions of Metformin are to:
- Limit the functioning of the liver, which produces glucose so that a patient’s body needs less insulin.
- Improve insulin resistance in a patient’s body so that the insulin that is already produced works effectively.
- Change the gut microbiome, the small organisms in a patient’s digestive system that help to break down the food.
Doses and Dosages of Metformin Medication
The dose and dosage strength of the Metformin drug will depend on the patient’s health condition. Initially, a doctor prescribes a lower dose, then slowly increases or adds other medications, until and unless the level of blood sugar reaches a normal level in patients.
Metformin Doses For Weight Loss in Diabetic Patients
This drug is mainly available in two forms, which are as follows:
Immediate-Release (Pills)
At the initial level, a doctor may recommend this pill for a diabetic patient to take 500 mg once or twice a day. Also, a diabetic patient can take a daily dose of 835 mg once in a day. Then, a doctor may increase the dose to 850 or 1,000 milligrams taken twice daily.
Extended-Release (Capsules)
Initially, a doctor may prescribe this capsule for a diabetic patient to take the dose of either 500 mg or 1,000 mg once a day. Gradually, a doctor may increase the dosage strength of this capsule from 1,000 mg to 2,000 mg taken once or twice daily.
Metformin Dosages For Weight Loss in Non-Diabetic Patients
As mentioned above the Metformin drug has not been approved by FDA for weight loss. So, there is no labeling information about in what dosage strength should be prescribed by doctors.
However, some doctors know what dosages they should prescribe to their patients, while some may not know about it.
According to a study in the USA, it is found that patients should start taking this drug from 500 mg regularly and slowly increase it to 2,500 mg. The average dose of this drug to take is 2,230 mg per day. Also, in another study, it was found that patients may lose weight when they take 1,500 mg of Metformin in a day.
Uses of Metformin For Weight Loss:
Metformin drug is mainly used to treat gestational diabetes and Type 2 diabetes in patients. It can be used separately and with other medications to control high blood sugar in a patient’s body.
This control of high blood pressure also helps in preventing other health problems such as kidney failure, visual impairment (blindness), nerve problems (neuropathy), amputation (loss of limbs), and sex-related problems. With proper control of diabetes, this drug may reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke problems.
Other than the prevention of type 2 diabetes, Metformin is also used in the prevention of pregnancy complications, infertility, weight loss, obesity, and polycystic ovary syndrome. This drug is usually known as a “miracle drug”, because it helps to slow down the aging process, protects the heart, and prevents cancer.
Thus, the above-mentioned are the main uses of this drug in treating patients with weight problems such as overweight, eating disorders, depression, etc. Consult your doctor, and ask him/her for the best weight loss pills for women/men for an effective, and fast weight loss journey. The doctor may prescribe any of the medicines like Sibutramine, Meridia, Reductil, Slimall, Phentermine, or Adipex.
What are the Side Effects of Metformin Drugs?
Some common side effects may occur after taking Metformin drug for a longer time, these include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach ache
- Dizziness
- Shaking
- Tachycardia (fast heart rate)
- Diabetes insipidus (DI), which increases both thirst and urination
- Appetite loss
- Blurred vision
- Paresthesia (tingling of hands or feet)
- Sweating
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Dysgeusia (metallic taste in mouth)
- Angioedema (swelling on skin, face, and lips)
- Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
Safety Measures & Precautions to Take Before Using Metformin
Some safety measures and precautions must be taken while taking Metformin drug alone or used with other medications. These are as follows:
- Do not consume this drug, if one has any allergic symptoms.
- Consult with a doctor or health care expert before breastfeeding.
- Women should not consume this medication during pregnancy.
- Avoid drinking alcohol, as it increases the risk of lactic acid in the stomach and also develops low blood sugar.
- Do not crush, break, or chew when consuming this drug, swallow it whole with a glass of water.
- This drug should be taken with meals.
- Do not eat saturated fat foods and refined or processed carbohydrate foods.
A person should consult with a doctor if losing more than 5% of weight within 6 to 12 months.
Conclusion: Does Metformin Cause Weight Loss in People?
According to a US study, it is stated that Metformin helps in reducing a small amount of weight and prevents weight gain up to some extent but not completely.
In addition, the FDA has not approved Metformin drugs for weight loss. However, Wegovy and Zepbound are other branded drugs that have been approved by the FDA for treating weight loss in patients.