When your doctor tells you that you have Type 2 Diabetes, you may have been prescribed a medication called Metformin. This is a very effective medication that helps your body use the hormone insulin better and helps control your blood sugar. But many people who use this medication say, "Doctor, I lost a little weight after taking this." So is this true? Can you use this medication to lose weight? Let's talk about this today.
How does Metformin help you lose weight?
To be honest, doctors aren't 100% sure how metformin helps with weight loss, but they believe that there are several factors that contribute to this.
Simply put:
- Reduces appetite: This may be the main reason. This medicine can increase the levels of hormones that control our hunger and reduce our appetite. So the amount we eat also decreases a little.
- Limits sugar production by the liver: This medicine reduces the unnecessary addition of sugar to the blood from our liver. Therefore, the amount of insulin needed by the body also decreases.
- Reduces Insulin Resistance: Some people produce insulin in their bodies, but their cells cannot use it properly. We call this insulin resistance. Metformin reverses this condition and helps the body make the most of the insulin it does produce.
- Affects the microbes in the intestines: There are a large number of good bacteria (microorganisms) in our intestines that help us digest food. We call this the gut microbiome. There is also a theory that metformin helps with weight loss by affecting the activity of these microbes.
All of these factors combined have some impact on weight loss.
So is this a magic pill for weight loss?
Not at all. Metformin is not a magic pill for weight loss. However, it can help you lose weight to some extent and also prevent weight gain.
But remember, metformin does not cause as much weight loss as newer diabetes medications like Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy).
The most important thing is that taking metformin should never replace a good diet and regular exercise . This medicine is not a substitute for that.
In one long-term study, people who took metformin lost an average of 2.5 kilograms (5.5 pounds) of weight. However, because these results vary from person to person, it is not officially approved as a weight loss drug. However, sometimes, doctors prescribe it for weight loss for other health reasons. We call this 'off-label use'.
Who is recommended to take Metformin for weight loss?
This medication is often prescribed to people with type 2 diabetes. Losing weight can be a great help in controlling the disease for them. In addition, there are several cases where a doctor may prescribe it to help people lose weight for other reasons.
| Category | Reason |
|---|---|
| People with obesity | This can help people with a BMI over 30, even if they don't have diabetes, lose weight and reduce their risk of developing diabetes in the future. |
| For those with insulin resistance | This helps control the condition and stop weight gain in people whose bodies produce insulin but whose cells cannot use it properly. |
| For those taking medication for certain mental illnesses (Antipsychotics) | Some medications for mental illness can cause weight gain, which increases the risk of developing diseases like diabetes and cholesterol. Metformin can help prevent that weight gain. |
Does metformin help people with PCOS?
PCOS, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, is a hormonal condition that is common in women. Many people with PCOS have insulin resistance and weight gain. They may benefit from taking metformin.
- Helping to restore ovulation.
- Reducing male hormone (androgen) levels, which cause PCOS symptoms.
- Reducing the risk of miscarriage.
- Reducing the risk of gestational diabetes.
Who should not use Metformin?
Although this is a safe medication for most people, it is not suitable for everyone. There are some situations in which your doctor may not prescribe this medication for you.
| It is very important to inform your doctor if you have the following conditions: | |
|---|---|
| - Uncontrolled diabetes | - If you have recently had a heart attack |
| - Allergy to this medicine | - Heart Failure conditions |
| - Serious infection | - Difficulty breathing |
| - Kidney disease (especially if severe) | - Circulatory problems |
| - Liver disease | - Frequent or excessive drinking |
This medication is not recommended, in particular, for people with severe kidney disease , due to the risk of developing a rare but serious condition called lactic acidosis.
Also, it is essential to tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking, as some medications can interact with metformin.
How is the dosage determined?
As with any medication, your doctor will determine your metformin dosage based on your health condition. Usually, you will start with a low dose and gradually increase the dose to the required level.
There are two types of metformin:
- Immediate-release pills: These are taken once or twice a day.
- Extended-release pills: These are usually taken once a day.
Most importantly, it is never a good idea to break, crush, or chew extended-release tablets. Doing so can cause the medicine to be absorbed into the body immediately, causing side effects.
It is very important to take the dose prescribed for you, exactly as prescribed. Never change the dose without asking your doctor.
It is usually recommended to take this medicine with a meal , as it can cause stomach upset and diarrhea in the early stages. Taking it with food can greatly reduce these side effects.
Take-Home Message
- Metformin is a medication primarily used to control diabetes. Weight loss is a side benefit, not the main goal.
- This is not a magic pill for weight loss. A healthy diet and exercise are essential.
- Even if you don't have diabetes, your doctor may recommend this medication for weight control in conditions such as obesity or PCOS.
- If you have any other health problems, such as kidney, heart, or liver disease, be sure to tell your doctor.
- Never use this medicine or change the prescribed dosage without the advice of a doctor.
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