Contents
- Why and to whom is Metformin prescribed?
- Metformin: instructions for use
- Prediabetes and Metformin
- How long should the course of treatment last?
- Diet and Metformin
- Which drug to choose: Metformin, Siofor or Glucophage?
- What brand of metformin is best used for the treatment of diabetes and obesity?
- What is the difference between Metformin and Formatin?
- Metformin and Gliformin – what’s the difference?
- Regular Metformin vs Long Release Metformin – What’s the Difference?
- The effect of metformin on the liver. Fatty liver and metformin
- Metformin and hormones
- What drug should be taken instead of Metformin in renal failure?
- Metformin prolongs life – is it so?
- Prophylactic use of Metformin and its dosage
- Metformin for weight loss
- Metformin and the treatment of type 2 diabetes
- Which metformin drug is better for lowering blood sugar?
- If metformin gives me diarrhea or does not help, what can I replace it with?
- Taking metformin leads to an increase in blood sugar, what is the reason?
- Can Metformin be combined with Diabeton MB?
- Treatment of diabetes with metformin and insulin injections
- Metformin: how to take?
- Reviews
Metformin is the most commonly prescribed drug for the treatment of diabetes. In addition, it is used to combat obesity and to get rid of polycystic ovaries in gynecology. The drug allows you to get rid of excess weight, lowers blood sugar levels, but does not cause serious side effects.
Taking Metformin is a reliable prevention of the development of severe complications of diabetes mellitus, such as heart attack and stroke, thereby prolonging the life of patients. There is evidence that Metformin protects people from certain types of cancer.
The cost of the drug is low, as many pharmaceutical companies are engaged in its production.
Why and to whom is Metformin prescribed?
Indications for taking Metformin, which are presented in the official instructions:
Diabetes mellitus type 2.
Type 1 diabetes mellitus in obese patients with insulin resistance.
However, in reality, many people take Metformin to lose weight. It is also prescribed for the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome in women. This measure increases the patient’s chances of a successful conception.
In addition to taking the drug, women suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome should definitely follow a low-carbohydrate diet and exercise. This increases the chances of successful conception.
Metformin: instructions for use
How the drug works | Metformin is prescribed for type XNUMX diabetes mellitus, and sometimes in a complex treatment regimen for type XNUMX diabetes. The drug helps to reduce blood sugar both on an empty stomach and after eating, and also allows you to normalize the level of glycated hemoglobin. Taking the drug makes it possible to reduce the production of glucose in the liver, and also prevents excessive absorption of carbohydrates in the intestine. Thanks to the intake of Metformin, it is possible to increase the susceptibility of cells to insulin. The pancreas during treatment does not produce an excess amount of insulin, which prevents hypoglycemia from developing. |
Pharmacokinetics | The drug does not accumulate in the body. Most of it is excreted by the kidneys. When a long-acting drug, such as Glucophage Long, is used, metformin is absorbed longer when compared with conventional tablets. Provided that a person suffers from certain kidney pathologies, Metformin should be prescribed to him with caution. |
When to take | The drug is prescribed to patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, people with obesity and low cell susceptibility to insulin. Treatment with metformin should be accompanied by sufficient physical activity and a low-carbohydrate diet. |
When the drug should not be taken | Contraindications to treatment with Metformin:
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What should be paid special attention to | If the patient is to undergo surgery, or an X-ray examination with the use of contrast, then he should stop taking Metformin 2 days before the procedure. Sometimes patients can develop such a severe complication as lactic acidosis. This is accompanied by a decrease in blood pH to 7,25, which poses a serious threat not only to health and life. Therefore, if symptoms such as abdominal pain, increased weakness, vomiting and shortness of breath appear, an ambulance should be called. As a rule, lactic acidosis develops only when a person has taken too much of the drug, or the treatment was carried out in the presence of contraindications. In other cases, Metformin therapy does not lead to the development of lactic acidosis. |
How to take and in what dose | Treatment should begin with minimal doses of 500-850 mg per day. Gradually increase it and bring it up to 2550 mg per day, taking 1 tablet of 850 mg three times a day. The increase should occur 1 time in 7-10 days. If a person uses a drug with prolonged action for treatment, then the daily dose is reduced to 2000 mg. Take the drug 1 time per day, at bedtime. |
Undesirable effects | Side effects are expressed in the form of disturbances in the functioning of the digestive system. A person will suffer from diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, his appetite worsens, taste may be distorted. As a rule, such discomfort is observed only in the first days from the start of therapy. To minimize the likelihood of side effects, treatment should be started with minimal doses. If the patient develops skin rashes and itching, then this requires a medical consultation, as it may indicate an individual intolerance to the drug. In the process of long-term treatment, a deficiency in the body of vitamin B12 is possible. |
Lactation and pregnancy | During childbearing and during breastfeeding, the drug is not prescribed to women. However, it is often used to treat polycystic ovary syndrome. If at this time a woman became pregnant, then nothing terrible will happen. It will be necessary to stop taking the drug immediately after she learns about her condition. |
If a large dose was taken | In case of an overdose, hypoglycemia does not develop, but lactic acidosis may occur (in about 32% of cases). The person needs to be urgently hospitalized. To quickly remove the drug from the body, dialysis is required. Simultaneously, symptomatic treatment is carried out. |
Interaction with other drugs | With the simultaneous appointment of Metformin with insulin, a sharp decrease in blood sugar levels is possible. Also, the drug may react with drugs to lower blood pressure and with drugs to treat heart disease. |
Release form, storage conditions | The drug can be found in dosages of 500, 850 and 1000 mg. It is produced in tablet form. The ambient temperature must not exceed 25 °C. Shelf life varies from 3 to 5 years. |
Prediabetes and Metformin
Metformin can be taken by obese people with prediabetes. This will reduce the chance of developing type XNUMX diabetes.
First you need to try to get rid of excess weight through diet. If the effect cannot be achieved, then drugs can be connected. In addition to diet, a person needs to increase his motor activity: engage in physical education, walk more, jog. In parallel, it is necessary to monitor the level of blood pressure, as well as the level of sugar in the blood, including on an empty stomach.
How long should the course of treatment last?
Metformin is not a drug that is prescribed in courses. It is taken throughout life, without interruption, daily.
If a person develops diarrhea or other digestive disorders appear, then this is not a reason to stop treatment. It is possible that you need to reduce the dosage for a while.
Once every 6 months, a blood test should be taken to determine the level of vitamin B12 in the body. If there is a deficiency, then it should be taken separately. There is also a recommendation to take vitamin B12 as a preventive measure.
Diet and Metformin
To get rid of excess weight, as well as during the treatment of diabetes, you should follow a diet low in carbohydrates. It is not enough to simply cut your daily caloric intake and the amount of fat consumed – this will not allow you to keep your sugar levels under control. What’s more, a low-calorie diet increases appetite, which will lead to overeating, relapse, and weight gain.
If you do not reduce the amount of carbohydrates consumed, then you will not be able to achieve a therapeutic effect by taking pills and even with insulin injections. Eating the right foods will keep you full and prevent obesity.
Which drug to choose: Metformin, Siofor or Glucophage?
Glucophage is an original drug based on metformin. Siofor and other drugs are its analogues.
Glucophage Long is a remedy with a lasting effect. Its intake is less likely to provoke the development of adverse reactions in the form of diarrhea than conventional drugs based on metformin. Glucophage Long is taken at bedtime, which will prevent the morning spike in blood sugar.
The cost of drugs Glucophage and Glucophage Long is not high. Therefore, it does not make sense to switch to their analogues. You won’t be able to save much.
What brand of metformin is best used for the treatment of diabetes and obesity?
If you objectively look at the situation, it is best to give preference to the original drugs – Glucophage and Glucophage Long. They are produced in France. Manufactured by Merck. Siofor and other drugs based on metformin are produced in the CIS countries.
What is the difference between Metformin and Formatin?
There is no difference. Formetin is a drug based on metformin, which is produced in Russia. It is manufactured by Pharmstandard. The dosage of the drug leaves 500, 850 and 1000 mg. The cost of Formetin is lower than the cost of Glucophage, but the difference is not great.
Metformin and Gliformin – what’s the difference?
Gliformin is another analogue of the original drug Glucophage. It also contains metformin. The drug Gliformin is produced by the Russian company OAO Akrikhin. There is no difference in price between the original and the analogue.
Regular Metformin vs Long Release Metformin – What’s the Difference?
If a person takes regular metformin, then the drug is absorbed very quickly. Already 4 hours after its administration, the maximum concentration of the main active substance is observed in the blood. Assign the drug 3 times a day with meals.
When a person takes long-acting metformin, the drug is absorbed longer, but it will also take longer to act. Assign the drug 1 time per day, at bedtime. This will prevent a sharp increase in blood sugar in the morning.
Long-acting metformin is less likely to cause side effects in the form of disturbances in the functioning of the digestive tract. However, he is less able to control his sugar levels throughout the day. Therefore, it is recommended for those people who have high fasting glucose levels. The original drug of Metformin is Glucophage Long. On sale there are also analogues of this drug with prolonged action.
The effect of metformin on the liver. Fatty liver and metformin
Metformin should not be taken in severe liver damage, such as cirrhosis or liver failure. With fatty hepatosis of the liver, its use, on the contrary, will bring significant benefits. In addition, the patient will need to follow a low carbohydrate diet. If you follow these recommendations, you will be able to improve your own well-being in a short time. Fatty hepatosis can be defeated through proper nutrition and the use of metformin. In parallel, a person will begin to lose weight.
Metformin and hormones
Metformin does not affect male potency and testosterone levels in the blood.
With polycystic ovary syndrome in women, there is a high level of male sex hormones, as well as a violation of metabolic processes and insulin resistance. Taking metformin, for example, Siofor, will get rid of the existing problem. The drug helps to normalize the female hormonal background and increases the likelihood of successful conception.
What drug should be taken instead of Metformin in renal failure?
Do not take Metformin in renal failure. It is not indicated for diabetic patients whose glomerular infiltration rate is reduced to 45 ml/minute.
With renal failure, you can take drugs such as Januvia, Galvus, Glurenorm. Insulin injections are also possible. In any case, only a doctor should prescribe therapy for patients with such problems.
Metformin prolongs life – is it so?
Metformin unequivocally contributes to the prolongation of life in people with diabetes, as it prevents the development of severe complications of the disease.
As for the increase in life expectancy in those patients who do not suffer from diabetes, there is no scientific evidence for this fact. However, studies on this issue have already been launched.
You can also find reviews that treatment with Glucophage slows down aging. This is confirmed by people who take it not for the treatment of diabetes.
Prophylactic use of Metformin and its dosage
If a person suffers from obesity, then he can take Metformin for prophylactic purposes. This drug allows you to get rid of several kilograms of excess weight, as well as normalize cholesterol levels, which, in turn, is an excellent prevention of type XNUMX diabetes.
Before starting prophylactic administration, you should study the instructions for use and make sure that there are no contraindications.
It is recommended to start taking Metformin at the age of 35-40 years, although there are no updated data on this matter. In addition to medical weight management, you will need to follow a low-carbohydrate diet. It should be understood that the effect of the tablets will be minimal if you continue to eat improperly. Foods containing refined sugars are especially harmful.
Obese people need to take Metformin at a dosage of 2550 mg per day. If the treatment is carried out with a drug with prolonged action, then the daily dose should be 2000 mg. It needs to be raised slowly. During the first week, it will be enough to take 500-850 mg of the drug per day. This will allow the body to adapt to the drug.
If a person does not have a problem of excess weight, and he wants to take Metformin to prevent early aging, then it is enough to drink 500-1700 mg of the drug per day. Detailed information on this issue is not available.
Metformin for weight loss
Metformin allows you to lose weight without harm to health, since the drug rarely causes serious side effects. In addition, it can be used to normalize the level of cholesterol and glucose in the blood.
Given these facts, it is not surprising that metformin is often used for weight loss. His experience has been over 50 years. Metformin-based drugs are manufactured by many pharmaceutical companies. This allows you to keep the price of the original drug Glucophage at a low level.
In order not to provoke the development of side effects, metformin should be taken in small doses (at the first dose of the drug). Before starting the fight against excess weight, you need to make sure that the person has no contraindications to the use of the drug.
How much can you lose with metformin?
If you do not restructure your diet and do not play sports, then you will not succeed in losing more than 2-4 kg.
When, after 1,5-2 months from the start of taking metformin, there is no result and the weight remains at the same levels, this may indicate that a person has hypothyroidism. Be sure to contact a specialist and get tested for thyroid hormones.
Compliance with a low-carbohydrate diet, combined with metformin, can achieve significant weight loss of 15 kg or more. To keep these results, you need to take Metformin on an ongoing basis. After giving up the pills, the weight may come back.
Does Elena Malysheva recommend metformin for weight loss?
Elena Malysheva says that metformin is a remedy for old age, but she does not indicate its ability to reduce excess weight. A well-known TV presenter recommends sticking to the diet she developed, and not taking medicines for weight loss. However, this measure is not suitable for everyone.
What allows you to lose weight faster: Metformin or Glucophage?
Glucophage is a drug based on metformin. Moreover, it is an original drug. Therefore, with its help, it is quite possible to lose weight. If Glucophage leads to the development of severe diarrhea, then you can try taking the drug Glucophage Long.
Metformin and hypothyroidism
Metformin can be taken for hypothyroidism, since this disease is not listed as a contraindication. It is also allowed to be used in conjunction with drugs for the treatment of hypothyroidism. It is possible that this will allow you to lose weight and improve your well-being. However, hypothyroidism should be treated by a doctor, and metformin has no effect on the course of the disease.
Metformin and the treatment of type 2 diabetes
Metformin is a drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, which allows you to control the level of glucose both after meals and on an empty stomach. The use of metformin allows you to prevent the development of severe complications of the disease, stop its progression and not harm your health. Metformin should not be considered as a miracle drug that will get rid of diabetes. Of course, there have been cases when a person coped with obesity, and the disease receded, which made it possible to refuse the use of metformin, but such situations are rare.
If a person takes metformin regularly and for a long time, then this will normalize the level of sugar, cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood, as well as get rid of excess weight.
Metformin is a safe drug, so it is prescribed for the treatment of diabetes and obesity in children over 10 years of age. You need to start taking the drug with a minimum dosage of 500-850 mg per day, gradually bringing the daily volume of the drug to 2250 mg. If Glucophage Long is used for treatment, then a dose of less than 2000 mg should be taken per day.
It will not be possible to keep diabetes and weight under control solely with the help of medicines. The patient will need to follow a diet. Otherwise, diabetes will continue to progress and lead to the development of severe complications.
Which metformin drug is better for lowering blood sugar?
For the treatment of diabetes, it is preferable to use Glucophage. This is an original drug at an affordable cost for most people. You can also take its analogue Siofor.
To prevent blood sugar from rising in the morning, you can use the drug Glucophage Long. It is taken before bed so it will work throughout the night. When this measure fails to keep the sugar at a stable level, insulin injections may be required. It must be remembered that the morning rise in blood glucose contributes to the development of complications of diabetes. Therefore, such jumps cannot be ignored.
If metformin gives me diarrhea or does not help, what can I replace it with?
It is difficult to find a replacement for metformin – this is a unique substance for lowering blood sugar.
Therefore, first you need to try to prevent diarrhea, so as not to look for a replacement for metformin. For this, treatment should be started with low doses of the drug. This will allow the body to adapt to the drug and not react to it with a malfunction of the digestive processes.
Rarely causes diarrhea drug prolonged action. Therefore, for a while, you can replace them with regular Metformin tablets.
If the drug does not lower blood sugar levels, then it is likely that the person develops type 1 diabetes. At the same time, the pancreas has exhausted all its reserves and is no longer able to produce insulin. Then you need to switch to injections of this hormone. Otherwise, a person may die from complications of diabetes. Tablets should be discarded.
In a situation where metformin lowers blood sugar levels, but this is not enough, treatment can be supplemented with insulin injections, but in small doses.
If a person is underweight but develops diabetes, these patients should be given insulin immediately. Sugar-burning drugs will not allow you to cope with the disease.
Taking metformin leads to an increase in blood sugar, what is the reason?
Metformin will not help lower blood sugar if type 2 diabetes is severe or when a person has been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. In this case, insulin injections will be required, as well as dieting.
The doctor may recommend replacing or supplementing metformin preparations with such drugs as: Diabeton MV, Amaril, Manil, etc. Also, the latest generation drugs are already available for purchase, including: Januvia, Galvus, Forsiga, Jardins, etc. If their use is also not allows you to achieve the desired effect, then you should switch to insulin injections. You should not refuse insulin therapy. Moreover, taking medications can reduce the dose of insulin by 2-7 times. This will allow you to keep sugar under control and not harm your health.
Can Metformin be combined with Diabeton MB?
It is not recommended to take Diabeton MB simultaneously with metformin preparations. It is better to give preference to the last drug if there are no contraindications to it.
Treatment of diabetes with metformin and insulin injections
Most often, metformin preparations are prescribed in a complex scheme with insulin injections. This will fix the sugar level at around 4,0-5,5 mmol / l.
Only with the help of diet and oral intake of sugar-burning drugs can diabetes be managed, provided that it is at an early stage of its development. In other cases, low doses of insulin are required. This is true for patients whose sugar level does not drop below 6,0-7,0 mmol / l. With such indicators, the complications of diabetes will progress, although not very quickly.
If we consider the steps for the treatment of diabetes, then you should first try to correct the existing violation with the help of a dietary diet and exercise. Only then do they switch to taking sugar-burning drugs. When the effect fails, insulin injections are indicated. The insulin dosage will need to be reduced by 25% if the person is receiving metformin in parallel. Exceeding the dose of insulin during treatment with sugar-burning agents threatens the development of hypoglycemia.
In addition to the above therapeutic measures, patients with diabetes need to play sports. Jogging or, as it is also called, chi-running, helps to control the disease. You can also diversify your physical activity with Nordic walking.
Metformin: how to take?
Metformin is taken with food to reduce the risk of side effects.
Tablets that have a prolonged effect should be taken whole, without chewing. They contain a cellulose matrix, which is responsible for the slow release of the main active ingredient. The breakdown of such a matrix occurs in the intestine. In this case, a change in the consistency of the stool is possible, but without the development of diarrhea. It does not pose any health risk.
Is it possible to take metformin without consulting a doctor?
Metformin preparations are dispensed in a pharmacy without a prescription, so a person can purchase them without visiting a doctor before. Before the first use of the drug, you need to make sure that the patient has no contraindications to its use. The best way to do this is to take a blood test. It will assess the performance of the liver and kidneys. Such tests should be taken at least once every 1 months. It is also important to control the level of cholesterol in the blood and the level of blood pressure, which will make it possible to prevent the development of severe cardiovascular pathologies.
How much is the maximum daily dose of metformin?
Both for weight loss and for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, the patient is prescribed a daily dose of metformin of 2550 mg. In this case, a person will need to take 1 tablet of the drug 3 times a day. The dosage of the drug is 850 mg.
If a long-acting drug is used for treatment, then the maximum daily dose is 2000 mg. To do this, take 4 tablets of 500 mg of Glucophage Long at bedtime.
The first doses of the drug should be minimal: 500 or 850 mg. Then, monitoring the reaction of the body, the dosage is gradually increased. Slow adaptation will prevent the development of severe complications from the digestive system.
If a person decides to take metformin to increase life expectancy, then it is recommended to observe a dosage of 500-1700 mg per day, but no more.
How long does the effect last?
Metformin prolonged action works for 8-9 hours. Conventional metformin tablets retain their effect for no more than 6 hours. If the next dose was taken before the previous dose was active, then there is no need to worry. It will not harm your health. It is important to ensure that there is no overdose. To do this, you should not take the drug in an amount exceeding the daily dose.
When is the best time to take metformin: morning, afternoon or evening?
The drug of prolonged action is taken at night. This allows you to keep blood sugar levels normal even in the morning, on an empty stomach.
Regular metformin tablets are taken in the morning, afternoon and evening, at breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Can Metformin be combined with statins?
Metformin can be taken with statins, which help lower blood cholesterol levels. If in parallel a person adheres to a diet, then it will be possible to normalize not only cholesterol, but also triglycerides, and the atherogenic coefficient. Moreover, taking metformin and dieting over time may allow you to stop taking statins. A menu with a low carbohydrate content will make it possible to remove excess fluid from the body, get rid of edema, and lower blood pressure. Therefore, doctors recommend gradually reducing the dosage of drugs for the treatment of cardiovascular pathologies, and then you can completely abandon them. It is possible that it will be possible to stop treatment with diuretic drugs.
Can metformin be combined with alcohol?
During treatment with metformin drugs, it is permissible to consume small doses of alcoholic beverages. However, you need to monitor the amount of alcohol you drink, it is forbidden to get drunk.
There is no need to make time intervals between taking the drug or drinking alcohol. That is, you can drink alcohol almost immediately.
If you do not follow the dosage and drink too much alcohol, then for diabetics this threatens to develop lactic acidosis. This is a serious condition that can be fatal. Therefore, alcohol abuse is dangerous to health.
Reviews
You can find many positive reviews about the use of metformin for the treatment of diabetes and obesity. Most often, both patients and doctors recommend using Glucophage and Glucophage Long as original medicines. In parallel, you need to follow a diet that will help reduce blood sugar levels.
Negative reviews are most often left by people who do not follow a low-carb diet and lead an unhealthy lifestyle. In this case, it will not be possible to cope with the disease even with the help of medicines.
You can also find positive reviews on the use of metformin with sulfonylurea drugs, since such a scheme contributes to a rapid decrease in blood sugar levels. However, if such treatment is followed for a long time, there is a risk of depletion of pancreatic reserves with the transition of type XNUMX diabetes to type XNUMX diabetes.
Most patients indicate that Glucophage is less likely to cause side effects in the form of indigestion. Therefore, it is better to choose original drugs based on metformin, and not its analogues. In combination with dietary nutrition and physical activity, taking metformin will help get rid of excess weight.