Metformin - a drug for diabetics, helping to reduce blood sugar. For people with diabetes, metformin is a vital drug that helps maintain carbohydrate metabolism in the body, which is disrupted due to the disease.
Indications for use
Metformin is indicated for a number of diseases, namely:
- diabetes mellitus (the use of metformin reduced the death rate by 30%);
- Pre-diabetes - a condition in which the risk of diabetes increases. (The use of metformin, as well as diet and exercise in the complex helps to avoid the transition of pre-diabetes to diabetes);
- polycystic ovary syndrome and some other female diseases, for example, anovulation;
- gestational diabetes - a disease of pregnant women, which is characterized by a violation of carbohydrate metabolism, as a consequence of changes in the hormonal background.
Metformin contraindications
Elderly appoint metformin with caution. Also, when prescribing a drug for pregnant women, it is necessary to take into account some features to avoid possible harm to the fetus.
The main contraindications for metformin are:
- diseases of the lungs, liver and kidneys;
- ketoacidosis (a violation of carbohydrate metabolism, as a result of lack of insulin);
- myocardial infarction;
- dehydration;
- lactatacidosis (excessive accumulation in the body of lactic acid).
Metformin - side effects
Metformin can adversely affect the digestive system, which leads to diarrhea. In such cases, reduce the dosage until such a side effect disappears.
Overdosing with the drug can lead to more serious consequences. Hyperglycemia with the use of metformin in large quantities, unfortunately, is not a rare occurrence. This is due to the property of the drug to keep glucose, not giving the possibility of its absorption into the blood, in connection with which, its level increases. The resulting hyperglycemia entails hyperglycemic coma and then, if not rendered timely assistance - a fatal outcome.
In order to avoid such consequences, it is necessary to monitor the level of glucose, and when it increases, interrupt the course of taking metformin for several days and inject insulin subcutaneously.
With prolonged use of metformin without any other drugs may appear drowsiness, weakness and lethargy. This is due to the fact that the drug reduces the level of glycogen in the muscles and liver, and glycogen , as is known - the energy reserve, which, if necessary, the body translates into glucose. In such cases enough 1-2 injections of insulin.
Harm metformin - the result of an overdose or unjustified use of the drug, without evidence or consultation with specialists. In the rest, with the correct and careful admission under the supervision of a doctor, undesirable consequences can be reduced to zero.
How to take metformin for weight loss?
Metformin is capable of:
- block the formation of carbohydrate fuel in the liver;
- reduce blood sugar;
- Reduce the percentage of carbohydrate absorption that comes with food;
- reduce the production of insulin, which leads to a decrease in appetite.
Understanding the mechanisms of impact, you can go
- refusal of sweets and everything that contains simple carbohydrates;
- refusal of various pasta, porridges and instant potatoes;
- a significant reduction in incoming calories;
- active and regular exercise.
With the above recommendations, you can achieve the desired result.
The dosage of metformin for weight loss is 500 mg per day before lunch and dinner. In some cases, the dose is increased to 1500 mg, but do not forget about the side effects of metformin and the consequences of overdose.