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.
What does Metformin do for PCOS? Metformin prevents the liver from making glucose and decreases intestinal absorption of glucose. This leads to lower blood sugar levels, which can improve the body's response to insulin. As a result, metformin may promote hormone balance, weight loss, and improved metabolic health.
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.
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.
The most common side effects of Saxenda® in adults include nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, injection site reaction, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), headache, tiredness (fatigue), dizziness, stomach pain, and change in enzyme (lipase) levels in your blood.
More serious side effects are rare. They include severe allergic reactions and a condition called lactic acidosis, a buildup of lactic acid in the bloodstream. The risk for this is higher among people with significant kidney disease, so doctors tend to avoid prescribing metformin for them.
So, on average, with the recommended starting Ozempic dose of 0.25 mg, a 500 to 1000 calorie reduced diet, and exercise 3 times a week, you can expect to lose 3-5 pounds in the first month of treatment, which works out to about 3% of body weight for most overweight or obese individuals.
Many women with PCOS struggle to lose weight because the condition creates an imbalance in hunger hormones, causing blood sugar levels to spike and crash throughout the day. “As a result, it is not uncommon for women with PCOS to develop an eating disorder, such as binge eating and yo-yo-dieting,” Dr. Kumar says.
Can I Have a Flat Stomach with PCOS? As mentioned earlier, the PCOS belly shape is usually large and bloated but can also be small. This means you can have a flat stomach and still have PCOS, so watch out for other symptoms. Those with a big belly can gain a flat tummy through dietary and lifestyle changes.
One of its common symptoms is abdominal weight gain, which is sometimes referred to as the PCOS belly. The PCOS belly doesn't look like other types of weight gain, as many women report having a big stomach while the rest of the body remains the same.
Although a majority of cases with PCOS are obese/overweight, a small but significant proportion of patients present with normal body mass index (BMI; ≤25 kg/M2) that makes diagnostic work up and therapeutic approach more difficult. These cases are termed as lean PCOS.
The table below lists prescription drugs approved by the FDA for weight loss. The FDA has approved five of these drugs—orlistat (Xenical, Alli), phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia), naltrexone-bupropion (Contrave), liraglutide (Saxenda), and semaglutide (Wegovy)—for long-term use.
The viral diabetic drug and its active ingredient, semaglutide, have recently soared in popularity over their weight loss properties. That said, dietitians warn the drug's effects are far from permanent.
Some individuals may actually gain more weight after stopping an obesity drug than they initially lost, Conde-Knape added. Studies have similarly shown weight rebound in people who stop taking Ozempic.
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.
SGLT – 2 Inhibitors ( Invokana, Farxiga, Jardiance, and Steglatro) Usage: This can be a good metformin alternative for people who show side effects of metformin. This medicine helps to control blood sugar levels by releasing extra glucose through urine.
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.
The use of Saxenda® is not recommended if you have severe heart failure. There is little experience with this medicine in patients of 75 years and older. It is not recommended if you are 75 years or older. There is little experience with this medicine in patients with kidney problems.
According to the manufacturer, Saxenda has a list price of $1,349.02 for a 30-day supply. However, the cost of Saxenda varies for each patient depending on insurance plans, assistance programs, and more.
You may lose about 2%—4% of your body weight. However, during clinical trials, people taking Saxenda saw a significant weight loss of at least 5% after eight weeks of treatment. After one year of using Saxenda, 85% of people lost an average of 21 pounds or 9.2% of their weight.