First off, I take a boat load of psych meds, some of which tend to lead to weight gain. Second I recently gave up a 36 year cigarette habit that I loved to death, and have gained quite a bit in the last six weeks.
I AM NOT seeking weight loss tips.
Because of the weight gain, my Dr.prescribed Metformin to help me with weight.
I would like to know if anyone has had experience with Metformin prescribed to combat weight gain. I know, I know, maybe I am asking too much, but it has been three days, and my appetite seems no different.
Metformin - off label use - weight loss?
Question posted by Tonka8561 on 15 March 2011
Last updated on 15 February 2019
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
12 Answers
1femail
14 Oct 2016
In one year I have lost almost sixty lbs because of the Metformin. The nurse practitioner who first prescribed it for me, has retired and the other one, who continued the prescription till this last September has moved on from the clinic to working in a hospital. My new nurse practitioner does things by the book and unless I have diabetes she won't prescribe it for me. No other reason, my health is fine otherwise other than I had gastric bypass in 1997 and still I gained the weight back over the years. The clinic director blindly follows decisions the new nurse practitioner makes. I have never felt better in my life this past 13 months, it has been a life of morbid obesity since adolescence, but they don't care. I need to find a doctor or nurse practitioner in Toronto Canada who understands the difference in quality of life when morbidly obese. Please help.
MT4ME
15 Feb 2019
I hope you were able to find a provider that would listen to you and work with you. I would love to hear an update about how things have gone for you and if you are still taking metformin.
PhylomenaD
28 June 2012
It has only been three days. You have to give the drug a chance to work. You're not asking too much. Not at all. Congrats on kicking that nasty, smelly habit! Love Ya! If the weight gain is the only thing you have to worry about ( no disrespect intended) because of kicking the "butts", then you're OK! Love Ya again! Sincerely, Phyllis...
ruthy0374
27 June 2012
Hi Tonka. Metformin/glucophage is a drug mostly used in people with type 2 diabetes. However, it has off label use and is used more these days in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome who are insulin resistant such as myself. I was diagnosed with PCOS in 2002 and my fasting insulin was very very high but my glucose has always remained in the normal range. But b/c of my weight and the fact that my weight is in my middle and my PCOS I am considered pre-diabetic. What metformin and glucophage do for women like me is help our bodies use the insulin we make properly so that we don't contintue to make more that just leads to fat. My dr told me that the extra insulin we make actually traps the fat cells therefore making it almost impossible to lose weight.
metformin/glucophage are also used in fertility in women with PCOS b/c it helps make the egg better for fertilization and it is even used during pregnancy to help women stay pregnant, especially those with low progesterone. It is also used in combination with clomid to achieve pregnancy for those with PCOS. I have taken all 4 forms, glucophage, glucophage XR, Metformin ER and metformin. (xr and er are long lasting) the only time I ever lost weight while taking this drug was when I was placed on 2550mg of metformin generic. 2550mg of this is as high as you can go and in one month I lost 20 lbs and was able to get pregnant without the help of nasty clomid. But taking 2550 mg for a long period of time is not good for your liver. When taking metformin you also need to have your liver checked at least every 3 months to watch for bad problems. I hope I have helped you.
Brittney8807
16 May 2012
I also was just prescribed this Tonka8561 and I see you posted this in Mar of 2011 and i was wondering if you ever seen any weight loss from it?
abegail
20 Feb 2012
Hi Tonka, this post is a year old. I actually have the same question as yours. I'm just wondering if you continue taking the metformin and if it has helped you with the weight management knowing that you are not diabetic.
thank you!
young_meme
5 May 2011
Iam a diabetic and I'm on Metformin 500 mg twice a day... I quit smoking almost 4 yrs ago also and gained allot of weight . My doctor put me on Metformin and I lost 40 lbs... So it will work but Iv found it slow... but losing even the 40 lbs Im happy with..Works very well for my sugar also... I felt like a whole new person when they put me on Metformin... I cant say enuf good things about it... But with any meds there are side effect..and you should always talk with your doctor...
MACE1010
28 April 2011
Metformin is a diabetic medicine. If you are not diabetic and are taking this you are a high risk of having your sugar levels drop way to low and that is very bad. You can die from it. Believe me I know, husband is diabetic and have had to deal with sugar dropping to low many times when he took his meds and did not eat as he should. Do not want to scary you really, but it could kill you.
abegail
20 Feb 2012
Actually the usage of metformin for weight management is an off label use. Studies have shown that it helped some obese patients. But there were also some who did not respond to the medication (with regards to the loss of weight). But basically the doctor prescribed it to him since he needs to deal with his weight. Hypoglycemia wont be much of a problem for him since he is not a diabetic. What he needs to watch out is the risk of lactic acidosis.
ruthy0374
27 June 2012
people who are insulin resistant can take metformin but do need to be aware of low blood sugar. I take metformin and if I don't eat during a long time, I get low blood sugar and have even vomited from it and gotten a migraine. It is used off label in women with PCOS who are insulin resistant. SOme women such as myself don't have high BG so we have to be aware of LBG. But some people do have high BG and it may never lower their BG. metformin helps your body use the insulin it makes so your pancreas doesn't over produce insulin that leads to fat. If you don't eat while taking metformin yes you can run into problems.
fairytailwing
26 March 2011
Hi Tonka8561, OMG !!! You just answered a question I had about my husband. He was prescribed Metformin for his diabetes type 2 and has lost a lot of weight ! He has always been in the obese range and when the doctor gave him Metformin for his elevated blood sugar everything was fine. He didn't start loosing weight until after he had been on Metformin for over 2 or 3 months I believe, but now he is at his ideal weight !!! He has taken it for about a year now and I wondered how he had lost so much weight. When I read your question I had an "Ahh" moment. So that is why he has lost weight without changing his activity level or changing his diet any at all. (He is supposed to be on a diabetic diet, but he dosen't follow it, he still eats as much of whatever he wants to eat). He didn't have any appetite changes either because Metformin is not an appetite suppressant. The weight just started coming off at a slow steady rate.
I would suggest that you try the Metformin for at least several months. I believe your doctor has just given you a prescription for weight loss by regulating your blood glucose levels which can effect a person's weight. And by all means, know that Metformin is for diabetes, and can cause your blood sugar levels to drop. I suggest you seek medical help immediately if you feel any symptoms of low blood sugar. Or if you feel different, weird, or ill in any way. An attack of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is not fun. I've only had one, and it was horrible! I thought I was about to die! I called my doctor and was advised on how to counter-act it by eating some sugar. But always go by YOUR doctor's advice because everyone is different and I don't know your health history. Now congratulations on quitting smoking !!! You are a very strong and determined person when you can quit that. Also, keep in contact with your doctor about how your blood sugar/glucose level is doing since starting Metformin. That would be a very good thing for everyone to do, but especially for you because you are taking a medication which is used to treat diabetes. Good luck with the weight loss and take very good care of yourself, watch for any adverse side effects when starting any new medication, and I believe you probably have one smart doctor. I hope Metformin works for you and believe that it is a great decision since watching the pounds just drop off my husband like they have.
madhattersbash
15 March 2011
Hi: good luck to you! These people here are very knowledgeable and can probably help you with most all of your questions. Mary
LaurieShay
15 March 2011
Hey Tonka,
I can't add much to the discussion but I did find this website that might be helpful:
www.ehow.com/how_4921750_metformin-​weight-loss.html
I don't know if you are diabetic or if you drink alcohol but metformin and alcohol in quantity do not mix, it can cause something called lactic acidosis so beware.
Hope you begin to lose that weight soon,
Laurie PS CONGRATS on the kicking the habit, you'll be thankful you did in a few months.
Tonka8561
15 March 2011
Thank you Laurie - I willl check it out, and no, I do nnot drink (anymore) -
you arrea pal
Tonka8561
15 March 2011
Thank you Laurie -
I am really glad I went to that website, because if you eat carbohydrates, it won't work.
I wonder how many carbs are in Ben & Jerrys!!!
LaurieShay
15 March 2011
way too many my friend, way too many, lol
Inactive
15 March 2011
P,
Stay away from the gd B and J's, no problemo!!!
Tonka8561
16 March 2011
You guys are so fun - you guys really helped me quit, keeping my mind off the smoke that wasn't swirling around my head as I typed - so thank you...
Peg
Inactive
16 March 2011
Peg,
I'm gonna google that quote, and make you eat crow gurl !!!
Lara
Tonka8561
16 March 2011
I am not denying that EAP said it, I just didn't know it and was quoting LB
Inactive
16 March 2011
P-
Are you awake right now?
L
caringsonbj
15 March 2011
I was surprised to find about the 5th word listed in the indications and use that this drug(metformin or Glucophage) is used for Diabetes yet it is also used for individuals with excessive weight gain, so from what I read it does more than one thing I know when I started out it was a drug used for Diabetes, they have done further investigation and found that it is also effective for weight issues as well, If you do find effects that have not been mentioned to your family doctor be sure and give him a call and allow him to note these problems.
Inactive
15 March 2011
Billy,
You are a wealth of knowledge!!!
Lara
Tonka8561
15 March 2011
You two are the best!
Inactive
15 March 2011
Oh I had a thought (alert the media!) you could go back on the Topomax, freeze and be entirely too thin! LOL
Tonka8561
15 March 2011
slowly I turned, iinch by inch...
Inactive
15 March 2011
Methinks she quoth Edgar Allen Poe... lol
Bring it on sistah !!
Debrincon
16 March 2011
I don't know about this drug, but CONGRAT's on the Stopping Smoking!!! I WISHED I did also. I am afraid I will gain too much weight that's why I'm still smoking, I guess it's just another excuse. I am off all meds. Cause I have gained 150lbs in the past 2 yrs while on all types of meds. I am so done with all types of meds. If I'm not dying I don't want to be on anything,I want to feel normal for the rest of mylife. NO matter how much pain I'm in, It's worth suffering to me not to be drugged up and comatose. I LOVE LIFE & I want to see and feel it and breathe it in for real. God bless us all for trying to do that!
Tonka8561
16 March 2011
Sweetlemon - I was quoting a different artist -
Lucille Ball
Tonka8561
16 March 2011
Debrincon -
Yeah, I pack a few extra pounds due to the psych meds, and now with, what?-6 weeks off the smokes - I am embarrassed of my visage, but as they say in the program - first things first. I, for now, am dedicated to not smoking. I know from past experience all the extra grazing weight will melt off my frame eventually. At least I hope so. The Metformin is my ace in the hole, along with my exersize class at the pool.
If you ever decide to quit, freind me, and I'll be there for you, if you want me to. Everybody needs a cheerleader when trying something difficult. Sweetlemon was my cheerleader, and actually, just having the DDC community on the screen, at my fingertips. I just kept typing out what I could offer in the way of help or kknowledge, and it kept my lizard brain busy so wouldn''t think about smokes.
Good lluck
Inactive
15 March 2011
Dearest Tonka,
I do not know about that med, I just want to scream CONGRATULATIONS on quitting the coffin nails gurl !!!
xxxx,
Lara
Related topics
depression, mania, weight loss (obesity/overweight), lithium, metformin, weight, death, antidepressant, antipsychotic
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