The amount of weight you're likely to lose is low. In one diabetes prevention study, 29% of people lost 5% or more of their body weight and just 8% lost around 10%. On average, that was about 5 pounds. That might be enough to start to improve your health, but not enough to make a big impact if you're overweight.
An early study on people with diabetes and morbid obesity found significant weight loss after 28 weeks of metformin alongside a healthy diet. Other risk factors for coronary heart disease were lowered as well, including fasting insulin, leptin, and LDL cholesterol.
Some of the dosage recommendations and guidelines include: For extended-release metformin and tablets, doses are between 500 and 1000 milligrams (mg) and should not exceed 2,500 mg in a day for adults. For liquid forms, doses range between 5 and 8.5 milliliters (ml) for adults, and should not exceed 25 ml a day.
Metformin wasn't designed to be a weight loss drug, but researchers have found a link between the drug and weight loss. Past research concluded the drug could serve as a treatment for excess body weight, although more studies are needed.
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.
Conclusions: Metformin has no clinically significant effect in reducing visceral fat mass, although it does have a beneficial effect on lipids. This trial lends support to the growing evidence that metformin is not a weight loss drug.
Recent research has also demonstrated that a low dose of metformin (1000-1500mg/day) can promote weight loss in non-diabetic individuals.
Metformin should be taken with meals to help reduce stomach or bowel side effects that may occur during the first few weeks of treatment. Swallow the tablet or extended-release tablet whole with a full glass of water. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Metformin may also reduce weight by decreasing the amount of visceral fat in the liver and muscle tissue. Visceral fat is stored within the abdominal cavity, which contains several internal organs, including the liver, stomach, and intestines. It can also build up in muscles including the heart muscle.
Metformin may improve muscle mass, energy production and therefore your metabolism. Lastly, metformin has been shown to improve metabolism through a variety of factors. Whenever insulin resistance is present your muscles will start to atrophy.
When your body's insulin doesn't respond normally, it can lead to cravings. Metformin can help stabilize insulin levels, thereby helping improve or curbing that sensation of extra hunger, she explains.
Luckily, metformin may start to work within the first week of treatment. In one study of over 700 people, metformin ER lowered blood glucose within the first week of treatment. But it took about 2 months for it to have its full glucose-lowering effect.
Taking metformin can cause vitamin B12 deficiency if you take it for a long time. This can make you feel very tired, breathless and faint, so your doctor may check the vitamin B12 level in your blood. If your vitamin B12 levels become too low, vitamin B12 supplements will help.
A medical provider can run a few tests to see how metformin is affecting your health: Blood work can check if your glucose, insulin, and HbA1C levels are in range. If they are, the medication is working.
The administration of metformin, as glucophage retard, at bedtime instead of supper time may improve diabetes control by reducing morning hyperglycemia.
Metformin improves menstrual cycle regularity and lowers body mass index (BMI), testosterone, and luteinizing hormone (LH) within 6 months of treatment in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who are normal weight or overweight, new results show.
Better insulin and glucose balance: Since metformin improves sensitivity to insulin and reduces how much glucose circulates in the blood, it may decrease how much excess glucose is stored as fat. Over time, this could result in weight loss.
Metformin attenuates hypoglycemia-induced hunger, but does not appear to influence posthypoglycemic food intake. MANY FACTORS INVOLVED in the regulation of body weight and the control of food intake have been identified during the last years.
Up to 25% of diabetes patients taking metformin find they have bloating, gas, diarrhea, belly pain, and constipation. Often these side effects disappear on their own. By starting with a low dose and taking metformin with food, you can ease the side effects.
Outside of their work, other scientists are hailing metformin as a wonder drug not only because of its effect on Type 2 diabetes, but because of its emerging prominence in cancer research and potential influence in the lungs of those diagnosed with tuberculosis.
Side effects
Nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, diarrhea, weakness, or a metallic taste in the mouth may occur. Metformin usually does not cause hypoglycemia; however, low blood sugar may occur if this drug is used with other anti-diabetic drugs.
Griebeler says that even though metformin is only approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, it's being used off-label to treat weight reduction, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), infertility, prevention of diabetes, prevention of pregnancy complications, and obesity.
Metformin does cause side effects in some people, but many of these are mild, and are associated with taking the medicine for the first time. Nausea and gastric distress such as stomach pain, gas, bloating, and diarrhea are somewhat common among people starting up on metformin.
Proven long-term side effects of metformin
Of those discussed above, low vitamin B12 levels is the only proven long-term metformin side effect. But, as mentioned, low vitamin B12 levels can cause other problems, including anemia. That's why it's important to go for all recommended blood tests while taking metformin.