Metformin Long - start of therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus

How does metformin help you lose weight?

Initially, the product was developed for patients with diabetes. Then, research revealed indications such as overweight and obesity.

The medicine belongs to the group of biguanides. It has a hypoglycemic effect and does not stimulate insulin secretion. Taking metformin causes the following changes:

• decreased glucose absorption;
• decrease in basal blood sugar levels;
• increased sensitivity of peripheral receptors to insulin;
• stimulation of glucose deposition;
• inhibition of sugar synthesis from fats and proteins;
• increased high density lipoproteins;
• reducing the amount of cholesterol.

Thus, the medicine leads to optimal glucose absorption and prevents insulin from being produced in large quantities. This allows you to get rid of excess fat. The pills also reduce appetite. Metformin is successfully used for metabolic syndrome and for the prevention of aging.

Hyperinsulinism is a mechanism for the formation of excess weight

The task of the pancreas is to produce insulin (a special hormone). It is necessary so that glucose molecules can freely enter the cells: This is a kind of “good wizard” that accompanies every portion of energy food for them.

What happens when the sensitivity of receptors in tissues decreases?

Insulin is poorly absorbed. At the same time, it is quite enough to nourish the cells. Scientists have given this pathological situation the term hyperinsulinism.

The cells do not “recognize” their usual food and send a request to the pancreas to increase its concentration. The result is a significant increase in the amount of insulin. It actively promotes obesity, since unspent carbohydrates and proteins have no choice but to be processed into harmful fat mass.

Important. Tissue receptors lose sensitivity to insulin due to large amounts of carbohydrates in foods. Cells literally “swim” in glucose and can no longer process new portions of “sweet” food.

"Who are you? We don't know you. There is no more room. We won’t let anyone in!” – they seem to be shouting.

Insulin itself is not to blame. He's doing everything he can. The cause of the problem lies in poor nutrition, with an excess of carbohydrates.

Table No. 2

Hyperinsulinism lays the foundation for the development of dangerous diseases such as prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

Important. Each additional kilogram of fat in an average overweight person significantly increases the chances of developing hyperinsulinism.

ü Almost all overweight people suffer from the disorders described above (to one degree or another). If your body has suddenly gained a lot of weight, the most likely reason for this is “deafness” of tissue receptors to insulin.

ü The correct response to the problem is to wisely choose a low-carbohydrate diet. An overweight person should follow the same regimen of restrictions as a patient suffering from type 2 diabetes. It is necessary to control insulin in the blood.

Metmorphine helps normalize the sensing ability of tissue receptors to insulin. Cells can easily recognize it.

Result:

the process of glucose absorption improves.

The pancreas stops receiving signals to produce more insulin, and it no longer provokes active fat accumulation.

Metformin in some cases helps reduce appetite. But this is an influence that does not manifest itself necessarily and not at any time. Even those whose appetite has decreased significantly. This medication should not be perceived as an ideal panacea for obesity. Losing weight is not as easy as advertising brochures claim. There is no point in hoping for a miracle cure. It can help, but nothing more.

Only a serious set of effective measures leads to the desired result. Success is based on decisive pursuit of the goal, strong-willed effort and the right choice of a specific program.

As a rule, the set of actions consists of:

• from a competent diet;
• certain physical, work and sports activities;
• water procedures;
• walks;
• strict daily routine, etc.

Metmorphine can be a good help in such a weight loss program. You just need to find out - is it right for you?

Unique properties of the drug

The drug is being studied in many countries around the world. The Internet is replete with information about its unique properties. The following statements are relevant today:

• Metformin has been successfully used in the field of oncology and vascular diseases.
• A decrease in glucose occurs approximately 7-10 days after the first dose.
• The drug is combined with insulin and maninil.
• The pills promote the growth of new neurons in the brain.
• Metformin reduces the risk of death from diabetic complications by 30%.
• The medicine stabilizes weight, the excess of which is caused by antipsychotic drugs.
• Sometimes the drug is used in the absence of ovulation in the case of a diagnosis of infertility.
• Taking metformin helps create new memories. Therefore, the tablets can be taken for Alzheimer's disease.

Experts continue to debate the issue of weight loss with metformin. It cannot be perceived as an ideal anti-aging remedy. The main indication for the tablets remains type 2 diabetes.

Side effects

Individual intolerance may occur. An allergic reaction can be associated with both the main active ingredient, auxiliary ingredients, and components contained in the shell. Patients often complain of taste disturbances, manifested by the presence of a metallic taste in the mouth. Sometimes a rash and itching appear.

Almost always, taking Metformin is accompanied by nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. There may be a deterioration in appetite, even to the point of aversion to food. Side effects from the gastrointestinal tract often occur in the early stages of treatment and disappear spontaneously. To reduce the severity of symptoms, it is recommended to take the drug with food and increase the dose slowly.

Sometimes, with long-term use of the medicine, liver dysfunction occurs. In rare cases, hepatitis develops. After stopping treatment, most side effects from the liver and biliary tract disappear.

If the dosage is exceeded or the drug is taken for a long time, lactic acidosis may develop. This is a rare but dangerous complication that is accompanied by weakness, vomiting, shortness of breath, muscle cramps and hypothermia. Coma and death may occur.

How to take metformin

The drug is available in tablets with different dosages:

• 1000 mg;
• 850 mg;
• 750 mg;
• 500 mg.

Initially, it is permissible to take 500 mg per day. Take tablets after or during meals 2-3 times a day. After a couple of weeks, the dose is increased based on glucose levels. The maximum amount per day is 2000 mg.

The duration of use depends on the purpose. Metformin is usually discontinued immediately after weight loss. Recommended course – 3 weeks. After this, you need to take a month's break so that the body does not get used to the active substance. In addition, the main component can accumulate in the kidneys, muscles and liver.

The drug is not prescribed together with medications containing iodine. While losing weight, it is prohibited to drink alcohol-containing drinks. It is not recommended to combine the medicine with glucocorticosteroid hormones and diuretics.

It is important to monitor your blood fluid levels and get tested periodically. This is because metformin can reduce vitamin B12 levels. A doctor's prescription is not required to purchase the medication.

Contraindications

At home, it is recommended to use metformin with great caution. Before starting use, carefully read the instructions and the opinions of doctors and nutritionists.

Take time to examine your own body: check your kidneys, liver, heart and, of course, the pancreas. All these measures will be very useful, because the list of contraindications is long:

• Diabetes mellitus type 1;
• Kidney failure, kidney disease;
• Cirrhosis, hepatitis;
• Heart failure;
• Suffered severe injuries;
• Postoperative period;
• Chronic alcoholism;
• Breast-feeding;
• Simultaneous adherence to a low-calorie diet;
• Do not combine with diuretics and laxatives.

Metformin is not recommended for children due to lack of research. Which ones? Taking medication and alcohol at the same time is not the best solution. This combination significantly increases the chances of developing lactic acidosis. Therefore, during the period of using the drug, you will have to completely avoid alcohol and products that contain ethanol.

Naturally, during pregnancy and breastfeeding, the use of the product is inappropriate due to the potential risk to the child or fetus. If a woman was taking metformin and then found out that she was pregnant, then she will have to stop taking it and start using insulin. In cases where treatment with the drug is required during the breastfeeding stage, the child will need to be weaned from the breast.

Clinical trial result

In addition to reviews from those losing weight, it is worth studying the opinions of people who participated in clinical trials of the drug. American experts selected 2 thousand overweight volunteers. They were divided into 3 groups. The first lost weight through diet and exercise, the second took metformin, the third combined taking pills with sports and changes in nutritional diet. A month later the result was as follows:

• Group 1 – minus 5 kg;
• Group 2 – minus 3 kg;
• Group 3 – minus 7 kg.

The study has proven that you should not rely entirely on medicine. It is important to combine all effective methods of losing weight.

Use caution while taking this medicine

Metformin is allowed to be used only with strict adherence to the rules of proper nutrition. The diet should under no circumstances be low-calorie.

Minimum lower level:

one thousand two hundred kilocalories.

This figure should be considered an exception rather than a mandatory item in the program.

The second important condition is the complete exclusion of alcoholic beverages and foods containing sugar from the daily diet. The amount of carbohydrates consumed should be reduced to an acceptable level.

Remember. You won’t be able to relax, do nothing, and rely solely on a miracle drug. The usual mode of life, including unhealthy eating, will have to be radically changed. Get ready to take decisive steps in three directions - a proper diet, dosed physical activity and switching your attention to harmless ways to relieve stress.

Experts' opinions

Nutritionists warn that increasing the daily dosage can have serious consequences. There is a risk of being poisoned by lactic acidosis. As a result, the person will experience nausea and vomiting. In this case, you need to call a doctor. A severe overdose can cause coma. Therefore, it is important to monitor the amount of substance taken.

Experts advise losing weight on metformin and following the following rules:

• It is important to exclude sweets and canned flour dishes from the menu.
• You should include oatmeal, chicken fillet, kefir, cottage cheese and celery in your diet.
• Daily calorie intake should be reduced to 1200 calories.
• You need to drink 2 liters of water per day.
• Every day you need to do exercises.

Many doctors recommend taking pills for people whose weight reaches 90-100 kg. If a person has 3-5 extra pounds, you can do without metformin and rely more on diet and exercise. In any case, you will need to consult a doctor. It is not necessary to make an appointment with an endocrinologist. A therapist can advise on this issue.

Indications for use

Metformin is prescribed by specialists in the following cases:

• Diabetes mellitus type 2.
• High risks of developing diabetes;
• The appearance of a large number of cysts in the ovaries (polycystic ovary syndrome, PCOS). To treat this disease, the drug began to be used back in the 90s of the last century. Doctors have identified a relationship between increased insulin production and the development of cysts. Due to hypersecretion of the hormone, the metabolic process in the reproductive tissues of the body is disrupted. According to the results of experimental treatment, 80% of sick women recovered;
• Treatment of obesity;
• Metabolic syndrome.

Metformin analogues

If metformin is not suitable for the patient or shows insufficient effectiveness, analogues of the drug are taken:

• Bagomet . The drug is similar to metformin in terms of limitations and side effects. It helps reduce the absorption of glucose by the intestine.
• Formetin . Contains metformin hydrochloride. Prohibited for use by children and pregnant women.
• Novoformin . The therapeutic component is metformin hydrochloride. The medicine has similar limitations.
• Merifatin . Has the same active substance. Sometimes used in children's practice.
• Gliformin . The tablets do not differ from their analogues in pharmacokinetics, contraindications and side effects.
• Siofor . The foreign drug should not be used by pregnant and nursing mothers.
• Glucophage . Available in tablet form. Use with care in nursing patients.

The price of metformin varies between 106-543 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

This potent drug disrupts the natural processes of the human body. Therefore, carefully study all the positive and negative aspects of its use. However, do not expect miracles and magic from using pills alone.

Pros:

• Affordable price;
• Possibility of combination with fat-burning drugs;
• Minimal risks of complications;

Although the advantages of the drug are significant, there are also disadvantages.

Minuses:

• Addiction and decreased effectiveness of the drug with a long course of use;
• It is impossible to get full results without following a dietary program;
• A large number of contraindications.

Description

Almost all patients who are truly overweight develop problems with blood sugar over time, which is closely related to insulin. Metformin affects the concentration of this hormone and regulates its amount, while at the same time it reduces appetite.

By taking this drug, you will be able to lose a few extra pounds. But for a strong effect, it is necessary to “connect” other methods for weight loss: diet, exercise, lifestyle changes, positive attitude, etc. The medicine itself acts rather as an auxiliary element.

If excess weight is associated with diabetes, then Metformin will be a good helper. There are no significant differences between tablets from different manufacturers.

Metformin for weight loss: reviews and recommendations from doctors

Before you start using metformin, you should see a doctor who will tell you whether to start taking it or not.

• — Do glucose levels really decrease?
• — Yes, under the influence of the active substance its concentration in the blood decreases significantly. This is noted by diabetics, for whom this factor plays a leading role in use.
• — What is absolutely forbidden to do?
• - Under no circumstances should you start taking it without consulting a doctor. Once you start taking it, you should not combine taking the medicine with drinking alcoholic beverages.
• — How to prepare for taking the drug?
• — Be sure to visit a doctor, let him prescribe the necessary tests and evaluate the results of studies of the body.
• — Is it possible to take metformin in parallel with antibiotics?
• — The combination of drugs must be carried out under the strict supervision of a physician.
• — Which metformin drug should I choose at the pharmacy?
• — The choice will depend on your financial capabilities, personal preferences and availability of funds.
• — Is it possible to combine the medicine with Hepar Compositum or Senade?
• - Yes, you can.

Do not try to lose extra pounds faster by increasing the permissible dosage many times over. Thus, you will only achieve an overdose and the development of side effects.

Remember that the active substance of the drug is not aimed at directly combating extra pounds and fat deposits.