There is no particular time limit for the use of Metformin. However, if you haven't seen any benefits after six months of use, we may discuss discontinuing the drug.
Metformin can be taken long-term for PCOS. Some patients take it for weeks or months to get symptoms under control, while others use it long term to maintain health.
If you stop taking metformin abruptly, your health may suffer. You may experience side effects such as higher blood sugars, an increased A1c, and even weight gain. Over time, higher blood sugar levels can lead to diabetes complications, including: Retinopathy and blindness.
Metformin for PCOS is generally recommended for decreasing weight and also reducing the risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus. It may also be effective in treating anovulatory infertility in non-obese people with PCOS.
Inositol is superior to metformin in how the body uses insulin. While metformin is a very common treatment for PCOS, it is not the only treatment option. Another insulin sensitizing agent class is inositol. Research has shown that inositol improves the way the body uses insulin to help burn sugar.
A doctor will often use certain criteria to determine whether it is safe for an individual to stop taking metformin. These criteria include: having a fasting or pre-meal blood glucose level of 80–130 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) having a random or after-meal blood glucose level of under 180 mg/dL.
Exercise for 30 minutes most days of the week. Prepare whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and grains. Limit your intake of processed foods. Eat a high-protein, low-carb, low-fat diet.
The main side effects associated with metformin treatment are the gastrointestinal symptoms of nausea, diarrhoea, flatulence, bloating, anorexia, metallic taste and abdominal pain. These symptoms occur with variable degrees in patients and in most cases resolve spontaneously.
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) also recommends metformin for some people with prediabetes. Generally, if you're prescribed metformin, you'll be on it long term. That could be many decades, unless you experience complications or changes to your health that require you to stop taking it.
About metformin
It helps improve the ability of cells in the body to respond to the normal actions of insulin. Many women with PCOS have what is known as 'insulin resistance' (see 'what is polycystic ovary disease?
Metformin also is effective in achieving weight loss in women with PCOS. It potentiates the low-calorie diets typically used to achieve the BMI of 20 to 25 kg per m2 that is necessary for the return of ovulation. In one study of 150 obese women, a 10 percent reduction in BMI was achieved with metformin therapy.
Metformin is a generic and accessible drug that significantly lowers blood glucose, but it is not a weight loss drug. Metformin is a generic and accessible drug that significantly lowers blood glucose, but it is not a weight loss drug.
As much as possible, avoid white bread, white rice, white pasta, candy, soda, desserts, and snacks like chips or crackers. Eating foods that can spike your blood sugar will not necessarily make the metformin not work, however, it will increase the burden it has to work against.
Is metformin safe? Recent research has also demonstrated that a low dose of metformin (1000-1500mg/day) can promote weight loss in non-diabetic individuals.
The use of metformin by non-diabetics stems from some evidence that metformin can decrease inflammation, protect against cardiovascular disease and cognitive impairment, minimize cancer risk and progression, and prolong life.
Current evidence suggests that the weight change associated with metformin is more likely to be due to decreased caloric intake versus increases in energy expenditure. Metformin appears to impact appetite regulation both directly and indirectly due to its gastrointestinal side effects.
The average weight loss in the group that received metformin was 5.8 kg (12.8 lbs) ±7 kg (± 15 lbs). Untreated controls gained 0.8 kg (1.8 lbs) ± 3.5 kg (± 7.7 lbs) on average. Patients with severe insulin resistance lost significantly more weight as compared to insulin sensitive patients.
Saxenda® is a prescription injectable medicine that is FDA-approved for weight loss. Research has shown that higher doses of drugs like Saxenda® for at least 20 weeks leads to weight loss in obese patients with or without type 2 diabetes.
Medications effective for weight loss (in addition to lifestyle modifications) that have been specifically studied in women with PCOS include metformin, acarbose, sibutramine, and orlistat (Xenical). Metformin is probably the first-line medication for obesity or weight reduction in patients with PCOS.
The PCOS belly involves the accumulation of visceral fat in the lower abdomen and typically feels firm to the touch. A PCOS belly is also characterized by a high waist-to-hip ratio of greater than 0.87 (apple body shape). However, some individuals may not experience any noticeable changes in their stomach.