Although metformin can cause weight loss, it’s still important to have a healthy diet and exercise regularly to keep weight you’ve lost off.
If you’re managing type 2 diabetes with metformin (Glucophage), you might be well acquainted with unwanted side effects of this drug — namely, upset stomach, diarrhea, muscle aches, and sleepiness.
These can be a figurative and literal pain, but you might welcome one side effect of metformin with open arms, particularly if you’ve struggled to lose weight.
Metformin isn’t a weight loss drug, but researchers have found a link between the drug and weight loss. A long-term study published in the journal Diabetes Care that was conducted by the Diabetes Prevention Program concluded that the drug could serve as a treatment for excess body weight, although more studies are needed.
Why Does Metformin Cause Weight Loss?
The relationship between metformin and weight is unclear, but several theories provide possible explanations for weight fluctuations. Reduced hunger is one documented side effect of metformin, according to the Mayo Clinic.
If you take metformin, it might not appear as if you’re eating less with this drug. But the number of calories you’re currently consuming for breakfast, lunch, and dinner might be lower than your normal food intake. This subtle change in appetite could be responsible for a gradual decline in weight.
Having a frequent upset stomach or diarrhea, which is another side effect of the drug, can also affect your food intake.
“Temporary gastrointestinal upset, typically experienced at the beginning of treatment, from taking metformin may also play a role in weight loss,” says Suzanne Magnotta, RD, CDCES, vice president of clinical services for Achieving Better Control in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.
According to a study published in the April–June 2017 issue of the Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice, gastrointestinal side effects are a primary complaint from those who receive metformin tablets in their original formulation.
The most common symptoms are vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea, which affects about 2 to 63 percent of people on the drug.
Discomfort can be so severe that you may not feel like eating much and subsequently consume fewer calories.
Is Long-Term Weight Loss Possible on Metformin?
Even though metformin can help you shed pounds, the amount you lose might be far less than expected. On average, weight loss after one year on the drug is only 6 pounds, according to the Diabetes Care study.
So while metformin is often given to people with high insulin levels who have difficulty losing weight, it’s not a miracle weight loss solution, says Dr. Sood. In other words, don’t expect a dramatic change in weight if you overeat and lead a sedentary life.
You must follow a sensible weight loss plan with healthy eating and physical activity to see any significant change in weight.
“If someone isn’t following healthy habits, then taking metformin will not result in weight loss,” she says
If you’re managing type 2 diabetes with metformin (Glucophage), you might be well acquainted with unwanted side effects of this drug — namely, upset stomach, diarrhea, muscle aches, and sleepiness.
These can be a figurative and literal pain, but you might welcome one side effect of metformin with open arms, particularly if you’ve struggled to lose weight.
Metformin isn’t a weight loss drug, but researchers have found a link between the drug and weight loss. A long-term study published in the journal Diabetes Care that was conducted by the Diabetes Prevention Program concluded that the drug could serve as a treatment for excess body weight, although more studies are needed.
Why Does Metformin Cause Weight Loss?
The relationship between metformin and weight is unclear, but several theories provide possible explanations for weight fluctuations. Reduced hunger is one documented side effect of metformin, according to the Mayo Clinic.
If you take metformin, it might not appear as if you’re eating less with this drug. But the number of calories you’re currently consuming for breakfast, lunch, and dinner might be lower than your normal food intake. This subtle change in appetite could be responsible for a gradual decline in weight.
Having a frequent upset stomach or diarrhea, which is another side effect of the drug, can also affect your food intake.
“Temporary gastrointestinal upset, typically experienced at the beginning of treatment, from taking metformin may also play a role in weight loss,” says Suzanne Magnotta, RD, CDCES, vice president of clinical services for Achieving Better Control in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.
According to a study published in the April–June 2017 issue of the Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice, gastrointestinal side effects are a primary complaint from those who receive metformin tablets in their original formulation.
The most common symptoms are vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea, which affects about 2 to 63 percent of people on the drug.
Discomfort can be so severe that you may not feel like eating much and subsequently consume fewer calories.
Is Long-Term Weight Loss Possible on Metformin?
Even though metformin can help you shed pounds, the amount you lose might be far less than expected. On average, weight loss after one year on the drug is only 6 pounds, according to the Diabetes Care study.
So while metformin is often given to people with high insulin levels who have difficulty losing weight, it’s not a miracle weight loss solution, says Dr. Sood. In other words, don’t expect a dramatic change in weight if you overeat and lead a sedentary life.
You must follow a sensible weight loss plan with healthy eating and physical activity to see any significant change in weight.
“If someone isn’t following healthy habits, then taking metformin will not result in weight loss,” she says
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