Metformin for Weight Loss: A Doctor-Approved Guide

Metformin (also known as glucophage) is a drug that treats Type 2 diabetes. It is also used for those who need to lose weight. It is not sold over the counter, requiring a prescription from your doctor.

Instructions

• 1

  Your doctor will need to determine if you can take meformin without harmful effects. For example, you shouldn't take metformin if you have heart or kidney disease. Metformin is recommended for those who produce too much insulin. One cause of being overweight is having too much insulin, and using metformin can help treat this condition.

• 2

  When taking metformin, you will need to avoid certain types of food such as pastas and anything that will cause your blood sugar to rise.

• 3

  There are three dosages for metformin: 500 mg, 850 mg, and 1,000 mg. Your doctor will start you on the lowest dosage, in order to determine the effects. If there are no signs of improvement and no side-effects, then your doctor will likely increase the dosage. Most commonly, metformin is taken once a day.

• 4

  Follow your doctor's recommendations. Take metformin at mealtime, typically during dinner. Swallow the metformin tablet. Do not chew it, or too much of the drug will be released into your body at once.