Many people have been inquiring if Glucophage (also called Metformin) can be used for weight loss. The answer is it depends. Medicines are not without risks and the benefits must outweigh the risks. If you are obese or overweight, you may benefit from Glucophage. However, this medication is not a diet pill -- it is a drug used mainly in diabetes Type 2, obese people because they are at risk for diabetes and those who have impaired glucose tolerance (have trouble metabolizing carbohydrates and sugar). Do not self-medicate with Glucophage which means going to the pharmacy without consulting a physician and getting prior blood tests. Losing just a few kilos to get to your ‘perfect weight’ is not a criteria for using this medication (there is also no evidence that this medication works for these individuals).
However, with that being said, obese people -- who have a family history of diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, insulin resistance or impaired glucose levels, and females with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (hormonal female disorder) -- are potential candidates for this medication.
Obesity and being overweight puts people at risk for diabetes and pre-diabetes which, in turn, puts people at risk for heart disease, eye disease, kidney disease and stroke if uncontrolled. Obese people have a tendency to have signs of insulin and glucose problems (even if it is not full-blown diabetes). Sometimes, this cohort of people need extra help to improve their blood sugar levels by adding Glucophage to their lifestyle and diet modifications. Glucophage will do 2 things: improve insulin utilization and aid in weight loss.
Glucophage is commonly used in people with diabetes type 2 but some studies have shown that people who are obese, even if they do not have diabetes, may benefit from this drug by helping them lose weight and delay the development of diabetes. Again, Glucophage is not designed to be a weight-loss drug, but it happens to help obese people who have pre-diabetic factors (glucose intolerance, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and high cholesterol) lose weight in combination with diet control and lifestyle changes.
Do not forget the golden rule --> The best way to reduce your risks associated with obesity and to prevent diabetes is to maintain a healthy lifestyle, diet low in fat and carbohydrates/calories and exercise. Even if you use Glucophage, the medicine works better if you incorporate diet and exercise.
Ask Dr Sandy Message Boards
I’m using glucophage and having a low in fat and calories diet. and it works .But I can’t do exercises because i have slipped disc issue. so should i stop taking this pills now ? and could it produce DM issue with time in normal individual ?
No, it cannot produce DM in a normal individual. Do you mind telling me a little about your history. Do you have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and please tell me your weight and height before you used the drug?
I don’t have HBP or high cholesterol. my weight now is 94kg and 175cm .. I’m 22 years old i was 100 kg before i used the drug i reached 90 after calories diet and around 20pills of the drug !! but when i stopped it for less than 2 weeks i gained 4 kilos
You have a BMI of 32.7 when you were 100 kg. Anything over 30 is considered obese which puts you at risk for developing diabetes in the future. Again, Glucophage will not cause DM. In fact, in obese people, it has been shown to help lower your chance to develop DM, along with diet, lifestyle modifications and exercise.
It is good that you are following a low calorie diet. Can you walk like 30 minutes 3 times a week? The medicine will work better if you implement some form of exercise even if it is not intense. Swimming and non-weight bearing activities, such as indoor cycling, are ideal for people who have back problems. Is a doctor following you? It is a good idea to get some lab work done, including liver and kidney function tests; CBC (complete blood count) and Vitamin B12 blood levels (Glucophage can decrease Vitamin B12 with long-term use).
If you continue using Glucophage, I recommend getting the blood tests done. What is the dose you are taking and are you experiencing any side effects?
Keep me updated. Good luck.
Hey Dr, thanks alot for the great info, i have never thought to get tests before. No Doctor are following me now.i got a cortisone treatment for while and i feel better now. back problem is another story and I always think about 30 min walking 2 times a week and i don’t do it. I should start this soon in addition some of the activities you’ve talked about. And I’m gonna get the blood tests done as soon as possible.
About the side effect, I had diarrhea ans stomach upset only the first two or three days. I started with 500mg dose in the morning and after a week i start take another pill after 8hours.
I’m gonna keep you updated
Thanks
Geo