The drug Siofor is often used for weight loss. One of the main properties of these tablets is a decrease in blood glucose levels, so endocrinologists prescribe them to patients who have developed the “adult” type of diabetes mellitus due to obesity. Due to excess fat in the body, the sensitivity of cells to insulin decreases, and this is one of the main causes of diabetes.
Siofor tablets for weight loss should be used with caution
The modern and effective medicine Siofor has a restorative effect on insulin sensitivity and promotes rapid weight loss. Simply put, Siofor significantly reduces the absorption of carbohydrates in the intestine. This property is used by healthy people seeking to lose weight. But there is a certain amount of risk in this; some experts do not support this method. In any case, the drug Siofor, according to doctors, should not be used uncontrolled.
Composition and properties
Siofor consists of metformin hydrochloride. Available in the form of film-coated tablets of various dosages.
Metformin, once in the body, regulates insulin levels. This makes it impossible for fat cells to be deposited. Reducing triglycerides in the blood promotes weight loss.
The drug has sorbing properties. After the course of treatment, the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract improves and the intestines are cleansed of harmful toxins. But the effect of the product practically does not disrupt the intestinal microflora, unlike other sorbents.
International studies have confirmed high rates of improvement in the condition of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. In addition to the reduction in insulin, there were positive trends towards weight loss. Recent experiments and observations have shown that taking the drug significantly reduces the risk of pancreatic cancer.
Athletes have been actively using Metformin for a long time to maintain impeccable shape.
Wonderful miracle?
Siofor is a hypoglycemic drug. It contains the main active ingredient - metformin, which is responsible for lowering blood sugar.
Thanks to this component, the body stops producing large amounts of the hormone insulin. And the process of weight loss begins.
Hormone is the villain?
Everyone knows that losing weight is associated with changes in blood glucose levels. The more simple carbohydrates a person consumes, the more their blood sugar levels rise.
As a result, the pancreas begins to produce insulin, which reduces the concentration of glucose in the blood.
But that would be fine. The body must work like a clock. However, uncontrolled eating of sweets, buns and other “goodies”. Overeating also leads to a constant increase in insulin. Which will subsequently be chronically elevated.
And after some time, the human body stops responding to insulin. Insulin receptors do not respond well to pancreatic hormone.
The hormone finds a way out: it sends all the “excess” glucose to the fat depot. A person develops obesity, and subsequently may develop diabetes. I already wrote about this in the article “The problem of nutritional obesity: how to solve it?”
How does it help in the fight against excess weight?
After the first use of the drug, the craving for your favorite sweets decreases. Scientists explain this effect by a decrease in insulin production. With its excess, the feeling of hunger practically haunts you, and the desire to eat something sweet is caused by carbohydrate hunger.
The body, finding itself in a situation of artificially induced hunger, launches a rescue mechanism, stimulating metabolic processes. Energy is found in previously deposited fat deposits. When a new portion of carbohydrates enters, Siofor blocks them, preventing them from being absorbed into the blood. Harmful and excess substances transit through the intestines in a natural way.
Types of Siofor:
- 500 mg;
- 850 mg;
- 1000 mg.
A distinctive feature of the varieties is the dosage. For weight loss, it is recommended to start using 500 mg. After a week or two, the dosage is increased. But this is only possible if the control insulin measurement is still elevated. A level that corresponds to the norm will negate the effect of the drug.
Operating principle and effectiveness for weight loss
The main effect of Siofor on the body is that the drug prevents the absorption of glucose from food. Thanks to this, the product directly participates in fat metabolism itself, accelerating it. As a result, patients quickly get rid of extra pounds. In addition, the use of Siofor helps reduce appetite, due to which the process of weight loss goes even faster.
Siofor promotes fairly rapid weight loss, so the volume of the hips is significantly reduced
It is worth noting that many people who are losing weight notice a lack of cravings for sweet and fatty foods while taking the drug. On the contrary, people want fruits, vegetables and other healthy foods. This is largely due to the popularity of Siofor for weight loss. With regular use of the drug, up to two kilograms of body fat can be lost per week. Of course, everything depends on the initial data of the person losing weight.
Instructions for use
To lose weight, it is recommended to take the drug according to the following regimen:
- Every morning, take a 500 mg tablet before meals with a glass of purified water. During the course, you should adhere to a diet plan that includes low-calorie foods. If the diet remains the same, then the dosage is doubled, and the dose is divided into two times: morning and evening. After a week, the dose is increased to three tablets.
- The Siofor 850 regimen involves taking 1 tablet once a day for two weeks. Then the dosage is increased to 2 tablets.
- The Siofor 1000 regimen involves taking 0.5 tablets once a day. The dosage should be increased to 1 tablet 2 weeks after monitoring the level of insulin in the blood.
If you are planning heavy physical activity associated with training or work, it is better to postpone the use of the drug.
The course of use of Siofor should not exceed 3 months. The effect of the active component begins to weaken after prolonged use, so it is recommended to take a break.
The product will not be suitable for any person whose insulin levels are normal. In addition to the zero effect of losing weight, your health may worsen.
Dangers
Siofor has a number of contraindications, and side effects may also occur. Therefore, the drug is used only for medical reasons.
Contraindications:
- type 1 diabetes mellitus,
- disorders of the liver, kidneys,
- severe dehydration
- heart pathologies,
- pre-infarction condition,
- diabetic precoma,
- lactic acidosis,
- pulmonary pathologies,
- fever,
- infectious diseases,
- injuries,
- terminal stage of cancer,
- hypoxia,
- pregnancy,
- surgical intervention,
- lactation,
- low-calorie diet therapy,
- childhood,
- individual intolerance,
- chronic alcoholism.
With caution - patients over 65 years of age. During treatment with Siofor, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the kidneys. The drug is not prescribed if it is impossible to eat regularly or if you are on a low-calorie diet (risk of hypoglycemia). It is also necessary to refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages.
Siofor and alcohol - compatibility
The hypoglycemic effect of Siofor is enhanced by sulfonylurea derivatives, MAO inhibitors, as well as by combination with insulin injections and other antidiabetic agents. Glucocorticosteroids, diuretics, hormonal contraceptives, etc. reduce the hypoglycemic properties of the drug.
Side effects:
- dyspeptic disorders,
- allergic reactions.
Dyspeptic disorders often occur at the beginning of treatment. After adaptation to the drug, these phenomena disappear on their own.
When taking Siofor simultaneously with glucose-lowering drugs and insulin, the dosage must be followed to prevent the occurrence of a hypoglycemic state (a drop in blood glucose levels).
Lactic acidosis
Uncontrolled use of Siofor can lead to an overdose. The accumulation of the active component of the drug (metformin) in the body leads to lactic acidosis (lactic acid coma).
Symptoms:
- weakness, drowsiness,
- hypothermia,
- decrease in blood pressure,
- dyspnea,
- noisy breathing,
- diarrhea,
- pain in the abdomen and muscles,
- confusion.
Lactic acidosis often occurs against the background of renal and liver failure.
How much weight can you lose?
The course of taking Siofor is 3 months. If this period is combined with changes in diet and lifestyle, the result can exceed all expectations. Every week you can lose 3-5 kg. By the end of the course, the scales will reflect a significant indicator.
If you stick to your normal diet and don’t exhaust yourself with physical exercise, your weight will become 3-7 kg lighter.
Those wishing to use this drug or any other for weight loss should remember that without changing yourself inside, you cannot achieve great results. You need to start the fight against weight by defeating yourself.
Recommendations for taking Siofor
Therapy for such a serious disease using Siofor requires certain recommendations for meals and life in general:
- We adjust the diet. We completely exclude unhealthy foods and dishes from the menu: flour, fried, salty, fatty, sweet, etc.
- We fill gaps in the menu with fresh fruits and vegetables. We think ahead and in the summer we additionally fill the freezer with seasonal products, which will allow us to constantly fill the body with vitamins and minerals throughout the rest of the year.
- We follow the drinking regime - at least two liters of purified water at room temperature. Tea, coffee, compotes will be included in this volume. These drinks are considered an additional meal.
- We eat small meals. We have 5-6 meals a day. The volume of each meal should not exceed 200 grams.
- Last meal 4 hours before bedtime. The body must process food before the end of the day and go into rest mode.
- We move more. If we used to take the elevator, we begin to get to the apartment via the stairs. We do morning exercises more often. We fill our free time with exercise in the gym and swimming. Any activity accelerates positive results.
Contraindications and side effects
There are restrictions that prohibit the use of the drug to prevent the condition from worsening.
Siofor is contraindicated in a number of diseases:
- kidney and liver pathologies;
- type 1 diabetes mellitus;
- disruption of the cardiovascular system;
- upper respiratory tract problems;
- tumors of different nature (benign and malignant);
You should not take the drug in the postoperative period, when the body is weakened and requires recovery. Also, pregnancy and breastfeeding are a barrier.
The drug cannot be used together with alcohol, so addicted people are prohibited from using it for weight loss.
While taking the drug, side effects may occur, accompanied by the following symptoms:
- nausea;
- vomiting;
- severe dry mouth;
- stomach upsets;
- unpleasant sensations and even pain in the intestines;
- anemia;
- various allergic manifestations;
The main danger is a complete aversion to food, so before using the product you should weigh all the advantages and possible threats.
If after starting to use the drug you feel unwell and in pain, you should immediately consult your doctor. He will determine the possibility of further use of pills to stimulate weight loss.
Combination with other drugs
- Siofor should never be used simultaneously with alcohol-containing medications or alcohol. This combination will increase the risk of side effects.
Never drink alcohol while taking Siofor, as this combination may cause side effects.
- Antibiotics, insulin, ascarbose and aspirin increase the effectiveness of Siofor for weight loss.
- Taking female sex hormones, sedatives and nicotinic acid derivatives reduces the effectiveness of Siofor for weight loss.
- Taking Siofor simultaneously with cimetidine increases the risk of developing a side effect such as lactic acidosis.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages:
- Suppresses appetite (sometimes apathy towards food occurs).
- Strong physical activity is not required ; you can get by with walking and gymnastics.
- Quick results.
- Opportunity to change your diet.
Flaws:
- The drug is taken under strict medical supervision.
- At normal levels of insulin in the blood, the drug is ineffective.
- Contraindications.
Pharmacological characteristics
Siofor is manufactured by the largest Italian pharmaceutical company - Berlin-Chemie.
- It is commercially available in tablet form with several dosage options: 500, 850 and 1000 mg.
- The main active substance is metformin. It does not affect the functioning of beta cells in any way. As a result, increased insulin production does not occur in the human body. A hypoglycemic state does not occur.
- The positive effect of taking it is provided by additional components: Povidone, Magnesium stearate, Titanium dioxide, Hypromelase, Macrogol 6000.
- As a result of regular use (according to a doctor's prescription), the following positive effect is ensured: slow absorption of active glucose in the organs of the digestive system, decreased production of glucose in the liver, improvement of the overall sensitivity of peripheral tissues to hormones containing sugar.
Interesting fact. In the process of complex therapy, the drug also has a positive effect on lipid metabolism, which also significantly improves blood clotting. At the same time, the amount of sugar decreases, both during and before meals.
