Does Glucophage really help: what is needed for weight loss, review of the drug + reviews and results of those who have lost weight

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As the great Faina Ranevskaya said, a woman is not the weaker sex, the weaker sex is rotten boards. Indeed, besides the fact that we can stop a galloping horse, enter a burning hut, and provide for our family, we are the ones who are ready to try everything on ourselves, even very exotic methods of weight loss, without fear of consequences.

Glucophage has been used relatively recently for weight loss; previously, this drug was known only for reducing mortality from diabetes by more than 40%. I suggest reading about how the product works, how to drink it, and most importantly, is it worth doing if you are not bothered by high sugar.

What is this drug and what is it for?

The “audience” of Glucophage is people suffering from diabetes. They need to lower the level of insulin in the blood. The drug is linked to weight loss by this hormone: its function is to accumulate fat. Accordingly, the less insulin, the less fat deposits, and the closer we are to our cherished goal.

Description

Glucophage really has a lot of advantages: it utilizes glucose in the muscles, reduces appetite, lowers the level of bad cholesterol, prevents diseases of the cardiovascular system, and helps to use fat as energy. And all this, of course, could not pass by those losing weight, who are trying with all their might to minimize their efforts in this difficult matter.

Conditions of release/sale

The drug is released strictly according to prescription. If a pharmacist calmly sells Glucophage without this document, you should think about how reliable the pharmacy is.

Is it possible to take glucophage as a means of losing weight?

How justified is the use of Glucophage in order to become slim in the absence of diabetes is a controversial issue. No research has yet been conducted to support this statement. The main proof of its effectiveness in the process of losing weight is only positive reviews from those who completed the course.

I am very skeptical about this kind of weight loss methods, so, in order to be objective, I turned to two doctors I know: a therapist and an endocrinologist. According to both, it is unlikely that there will be a specialist who will prescribe this medicine for no apparent reason, that is, the direct need for pills.

You've probably heard a couple of stories about how, after a miraculous, very quick transformation from chubby to skinny in an unconventional way, women became victims of terrible consequences. Well, okay, think for yourself, decide for yourself whether to lose weight or not to lose weight in this way. I'll continue for now.

How it affects the body

As you remember, the drug reduces insulin levels. Additionally, Glucophage dulls the feeling of hunger.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics

• Pharmacokinetics

Metformin is excreted from the body in the urine without being metabolized in the liver, although it affects the functioning of this organ. In the absence of serious renal failure, it does not accumulate in the body.

• Pharmacodynamics

The active substance reduces the production of glucose and delays its absorption in the intestine.

Dietary recommendations

When completing the course, it is necessary to introduce fiber and plant fibers into the diet, the sources of which are:

• Fresh fruits: quince, apples, prunes.
• Cereals: oats, barley, rye.
• Legumes: peas, lentils, beans, beans.
• Dried fruits.

It is important to exclude foods with a high glycemic index:

• grape;
• pineapples;
• watermelon;
• figs;
• dates;
• potato;
• bananas.

Release form

Glucophage is available in packs of 30, 50, 60 and 100 tablets.

Long

Glucophage Long is a white capsule-shaped tablet with “500” or “750” engraved on one side.

Glucophage 500, 850, 1000

500 and 850 mg: white, round, biconvex with a film shell.

1000 mg: white, oval, biconvex with a film shell. "1000" is engraved on one side.

Compound

In addition to the main substance - metformin hydrochloride - Glucophage also contains auxiliary substances:

• povidone;
• magnesium stearate;
• carmellose sodium;
• microcrystalline cellulose;
• hypromellose, from which the film shell is made.

Depending on the dosage, the following types of medicine are available in pharmacies: Glucophage 500, 750, 850 and 1000. All of them are sold strictly according to a doctor’s prescription. Manufacturers are the pharmaceutical companies Life Santé (France) and Nycomed Austria/Merck Santé (France).

Rating of food delivery for weight loss

Delivery of food with calculated calorie content, ready-made diets. No more cooking and counting calories!

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Benefits and harms

According to clinical studies, in the absence of contraindications and side effects, Glucophage slows down the development of diabetes complications and prolongs the life of patients. The tablets lower blood sugar levels, promote weight loss and regulate cholesterol.

To understand how it works, watch the video in the topic:

Let me note once again that all this applies to patients who have problems with sugar, which causes obesity. That is, it is not suitable for losing 3-5 kg ​​before the beach season or holidays. Glucophage can behave unpredictably in the body of a person who does not have diabetes.

By the way, when taking Glucophage, there may be a lack of vitamin B12, which is necessary for the nervous system and the absorption of proteins, fats and carbohydrates by cells.

Operating principle

Glucophage is a hypoglycemic drug. Due to the metformin it contains, the drug reduces the manifestation of hyperglycemia in the body, without contributing to the development of hypoglycemia.

In addition he:

• stabilizes lipid metabolism by reducing the level of triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL (low-density lipoprotein);
• increases the sensitivity of peripheral receptors to a number of medications (for example, insulin);
• stimulates muscle cells for better absorption of glucose;
• significantly slows down the absorption of carbohydrates by the intestine and gluconeogenesis occurring in the liver.

Indications and contraindications

The drug is prescribed by endocrinologists to patients with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. It is especially likely to be prescribed for obesity, a concomitant disease.

However, Glucophage has many contraindications:

• Diseases of the liver, kidneys, respiratory organs.
• Hypersensitivity.
• Chronic renal failure.
• Chronic heart failure.
• Acute form of ischemic disease.
• Hyperglycemic coma.
• Impaired carbohydrate metabolism due to insulin deficiency.
• Dehydration.
• Infectious diseases.
• Trauma and major surgery.
• Lactic acidosis.
• Alcoholism.
• Pregnancy.
• Lactation.
• Age over 60 years.
• Regular high physical activity

It is also strictly forbidden to use the medication on a low-calorie diet (less than 1000 kcal). In addition, the medicine is not prescribed 2 days before surgery, x-rays, radioisotope studies, and within 2 days after them.

Dose of glucophage long for weight loss. Useful properties of Metformin

Today, new properties of metformin are being discovered and its use is expanding quite significantly, using the drug not only in complex therapy for diabetes mellitus.

The drug Metformin has long been used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus in conjunction with diet therapy prescribed by a doctor. It allows not only to normalize blood glucose levels, but also helps to reduce excess weight, which is especially important for people with this diagnosis.

To date, other features of the drug have also been identified. It has been scientifically established that a person can take Metformin to achieve the following goals:

1. Helps protect the brain from aging, which allows it to be used for preventive purposes against Alzheimer's disease.
2. Has a beneficial effect on the condition of blood vessels and arteries. Thus, with the help of Metformin, the development of vascular atherosclerosis, heart failure, hypertension, and vascular calcification can be prevented.
3. Reduces the likelihood of cancer.
4. Actively affects the improvement of potency in men, which was impaired as a result of various senile diseases.
5. Neutralizes the development of osteoporosis in diabetics. Women especially often suffer from brittle bones after menopause, as there is a significant decrease in hormones - estrogens.
6. Has a beneficial effect on the performance of the thyroid gland.
7. Shows a protective function in relation to the respiratory organs.

Even though the drug has so many benefits, it cannot be said that it is healthy and can cure many diseases. Like other medications, Metformin can be used only as prescribed by the attending physician, taking into account the possibility of all its side effects and contraindications.

Possible side effects

The digestive system may protest in the following ways:

• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Iron taste in mouth.
• Increased gas formation.
• Decreased appetite.
• Stomach upset.
• Abdominal pain.

And it can also:

• Metabolism is disrupted.
• Pressure and temperature will drop.
• Drowsiness appears.
• The suction function is impaired.
• Allergies appear (skin rash, itching).

Overdose

A symptom of overdose is lactic acidosis. Its signs:

• Apathy.
• Sleep disturbance.
• Discomfort in the abdomen, bordering on pain.
• Vomit.
• Rapid breathing.

How to take it correctly

Let me emphasize once again: this drug does not belong to dietary supplements for weight loss, and everything described below is not a recommendation for action, but facts that I actually scraped together.

Directions for use and dosage

The most commonly used dosage for weight loss is 500 mg. Take 3 times a day, with meals. They should not be chewed and should be washed down with plenty of water. If a feeling of nausea occurs, the daily dose is halved.

How long can you take Glucophage?

In the absence of diabetes, it is advisable to use the drug no more than 2 times a year, that is, 2 courses with a break.

Course duration

The course lasts 15-21 days, then, if the person intends to return to the drug again, a break is taken for 6-8 weeks. At this time, sweets and fatty foods must be excluded, which in itself promotes weight loss.

Dosage regimens

The first 3-4 days are given time for the body to get used to the medicine; a dose of 500 mg is taken per day during this period. During this time, you should listen to yourself to see if there are any side effects.

Then the dose is increased to 1500 mg per day, as already mentioned, it is better to divide it into three times.

Some people use Glucophage Long, in which case for the period of weight loss they take 1 tablet per day during lunch.

How long does it take for it to start working?

There cannot be a specific answer to this question - it all depends on the characteristics of the body and how much it accepts the drug.

What you can and cannot combine with

The drug does not tolerate in the territory of its action:

• Iodine-containing products that are used in radiological studies.
• Alcohol, especially if you are undernourished. This also applies to alcohol-containing medications.

Use with caution when using Glucophage:

• Drugs with hyperglycemic action.
• Diuretics.
• Nifedipine.

Drug interactions

The correct dosage is far from the only indicator that affects the effectiveness of Glucophage. If you combine it with another drug, the result can often be unpredictable.

Prohibited combinations:

1. Parallel use with alcohol and alcohol-containing drugs in the vast majority of cases ends in failure. The patient first develops hypoglycemia, then falls into a hypoglycemic coma and (in the absence of emergency help) dies.
2. If you do not limit yourself to consuming foods high in glucose (for example, white sugar or sweets) while taking the drug, then your attempts to lose weight will be like fighting windmills.
3. Iodine-containing radiocontrast agents are also absolutely incompatible with Glucophage. Therefore, if you do not want to develop lactic acidosis, you should stop taking the drug 2 days before radiological and x-ray examinations. The course should also be resumed no earlier than after 48 hours (provided that the examination did not reveal any abnormalities in the functioning of the internal organs).
4. Eating on express diets in combination with taking this drug threatens to result in serious interruptions in the functioning of internal organs. During the course of treatment (weight loss), the body must receive all the necessary minerals and vitamins.

Combinations requiring increased caution:

• If you plan to combine this drug with diuretics and drugs with indirect hyperglycemic action, be prepared to check your blood glucose levels more carefully and frequently.
• The combination of Glucophage + loop diuretics against the background of renal or functional liver failure threatens to result in lactic acidosis.
• When trying to combine it with insulin, salicylates and sulfonylurea derivatives, the patient's disease with hypoglycemia has been identified more than once.
• Cationic and antihypertensive drugs can contribute to significant adjustments in the dose of the drug and the course of its use.
• Nifedipine, chlorpromazine and a number of beta2-adrenergic agonists increase the concentration of glucose in the blood, and therefore, at high dosages, can neutralize the effect of the drug aimed at reducing it and provoke the prescription of insulin.
• You should not take Reduxin and Glucophage together without first consulting your doctor. Although these drugs have a similar principle of action, the result of their combination can be a double blow to the internal systems of the body.

The drug market is developing more and more dynamically every year. Therefore, if you do not find other medications you are taking on these lists, this does not mean that their use in conjunction with Glucophage will not have negative consequences.

You can also protect your body from unnecessary risks only by consulting a doctor. This way you won’t confuse the dosage, and you will learn about the nuances of complex administration known only to an experienced specialist.

Source: hudeyko.ru

How not to buy a fake

This, of course, applies not only to Glucophage - it is important to buy all drugs only in a pharmacy, and they must be tested and have the appropriate license. Pay attention to the cost: the approximate price of the product in Moscow is from 100 to 500 rubles.

What should the packaging be like?

The blisters are placed in a white cardboard box with the symbol “M”. The dose is written on the package, followed by the name of the drug, and below it is the inscription “Metformin”. The number of tablets in the pack is also indicated. The manufacturer's logo is located in the lower right corner.

Fake and original: what's the difference?

Unfortunately, counterfeits are now a common occurrence in pharmacies. Over the past 5 years, entire batches of Glucophage have been confiscated from pharmacies more than once. The difference between a fake and an original is that the former simply does not help, and if those who try to use this product for weight loss simply do not see the result, then the pacifier can lead to unpleasant consequences for diabetics.

By the way, just recently I came across information about how one resident of Germany purchased a pack of Glucophage in Russia. Within a few days, his condition worsened significantly, something that never happened while he was taking the French-made drug in his home country. Suspecting that it was all about the product, he took the package home and submitted it for examination. From the expert’s conclusion it followed that the diabetic had been on harmless vitamins for several days, which had nothing to do with sugar-lowering drugs.

Diet upon admission

Losing weight on pills alone, as some who have lost weight rightly noted, is impossible. To achieve noticeable weight loss, you will have to review your diet and get rid of bad habits:

• fried, fatty, smoked, too salty or sweet foods;
• alcoholic drinks, sweet sodas;
• overeating, satiety before bedtime.

In addition to following a restrictive diet, when taking Glucophage, you must also give up smoking and a sedentary lifestyle. Walking, physical activity, healthy sleep, and a positive attitude towards life are required.

When following a diet, you need to remember that reducing the calorie content of the daily diet below 1000 kcal when taking Glucophage is unacceptable.

Feedback from hosts

Aliya (28 years old):

“During pregnancy and after giving birth, my weight went up a lot. I tried teas, diets and various drugs, including Glucophage. Everything helped at least a little, but not for long. With glucophage I lost a little in 2 months - about 7 kg, however, the stretch marks smoothed out, the skin tightened and the condition of the hair improved. But, you know, after analyzing what I did during these months, I realized that it was probably not the drug.

I never returned to strict diets, but I adjusted my diet a little – I almost completely eliminated sweets, flour and fatty foods, I started drinking a lot of water and walking more. Even now I cook to music that makes it impossible not to move. I stopped drinking Glucophage, but I’m not gaining weight, so I think that if it helped, it was only at the very beginning, in starting the process.”

Maria (35 years old):

“I fell for fashion. I took Glucophage, drank it for two weeks, all this time my stomach hurt, the feeling of nausea persisted, I had loose stools. Everything stopped as soon as I stopped poisoning the body.”

Rita (41 years old):

“I drink Glucophage as prescribed by the endocrinologist. Due to diabetes, I gained a lot of weight, but the drug helped a lot, I lost an average of 3 kg per month, in 4 months the weight was adjusted and reached the desired level, and now it’s holding. In my case, the medicine helped a lot, although I’m not sure whether it works the same way in the body of a healthy person.”

Before and after results

Photos of people with diabetes who took Glucophage:

What doctors and studies say

The vast majority of doctors categorically do not approve of taking Glucophage as a fat burner. Endocrinologists and nutritionists warn that this is a serious drug that copes well with its direct responsibilities, but is not suitable as a “lazy” means for losing weight. And they remind you that they have not yet come up with a better way to fight extra pounds than physical activity and dietary nutrition (this does not mean a hunger strike).