Conclusions: Metformin has no clinically significant effect in reducing visceral fat mass, although it does have a beneficial effect on lipids.
Metformin has two advantages over other diabetes drugs: There's less risk of your blood sugar level falling too low. It doesn't cause weight gain.
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.
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.
Even though metformin may lead to some weight loss, the amount you lose may be far less than expected. On average, weight loss after one year on the drug is only six pounds, according to past research.
Is Metformin an Effective Weight Loss Pill? No. 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%.
And a research review of studies with participants where the average age was 60 years or older, found about a 3.5-6 pound weight loss difference in those treated with metformin when compared to those given a placebo (16). All told, the research suggests a potential 5- to 15-pound average weight loss with metformin.
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.
Considering all factors, metformin can cause a modest amount of weight reduction in those who take the medication regularly, although average weight loss is only between 4-7 pounds per year.
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.
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.
You're not losing weight or you've gained weight
However, if you're eating healthy and exercising regularly in conjunction with taking Metformin, but your weight hasn't budged or you've gained weight, this could be a sign that you may need to increase your dose or seek an alternative.
Metformin has a number of actions within the gut. It increases intestinal glucose uptake and lactate production, increases GLP-1 concentrations and the bile acid pool within the intestine, and alters the microbiome.
First, it reduces glucose production in the liver. Second, it slows down glucose absorption through the intestines. Third, it increases insulin sensitivity to help the body better process glucose. Metformin may be prescribed off-label for several other purposes.
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.
Metformin is a common prescription drug used to treat type 2 diabetes. It can help lower blood sugar and HbA1c levels and is used to help manage weight. It's best to avoid saturated fats, excess alcohol consumption, too much sodium, refined carbohydrates, and processed and added sugars while taking it.
Metformin may have an adverse effect on renal function in patients with type 2 DM and moderate CKD.
Is it safe to have coffee while consuming Metformin? Caffeine gets broken down by the body to remove it. Metformin may reduce how rapidly the body breaks down caffeine. Metformin when consumed in combination with caffeine can enhance the effects and side effects of caffeine.
How long to take it for. Treatment for diabetes is usually for life. But if your kidneys are not working properly, your doctor will tell you to stop taking metformin and switch you to a different medicine. Do not stop taking metformin without talking to your doctor.
Clinically apparent liver injury from metformin is very rare, fewer than a dozen cases having been described in the literature despite widespread use of this agent for several decades. The liver injury usually appears after 1 to 8 weeks, typically with symptoms of weakness and fatigue followed by jaundice.
There are some risks if you decide to stop taking metformin on your own. For example, your blood glucose levels may not be controlled. Over time, this can increase the risk of diabetes complications such as vision problems, nerve damage, and heart disease. Talk to your healthcare provider before stopping metformin.
Ozempic and metformin help most people to lower their average blood sugar levels (as measured by an A1c blood test), and these effects are quite significant. Clinical trials have established that (at its maximum dose) metformin can help decrease A1c by 1.5%, while an average dose of Ozempic can decrease A1c by 1.4%.
Metformin dosage for weight loss
Divided doses should be taken with meals, typically twice per day (for example, with breakfast and dinner). The maximum dose is 2550 mg/day.
Extended-release metformin is taken once a day and should be taken at night, with dinner.