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?
- Posted:
- 15 Mar 2011 by Tonka8561
- Topics:
- depression, mania, obesity, lithium, metformin, weight, death, antidepressant, antipsychotic
Details:
Responses (9)
Anonymous 
caringsonbj15 Mar 2011
I was surprised to find about the 5th word listed in the indications and use that this drug(Metiformin 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.
LaurieShay15 Mar 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 Mar 2011
Thank you Laurie - I willl check it out, and no, I do nnot drink (anymore) -
you arrea pal
Tonka8561
15 Mar 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
madhatter...
fairytail...26 Mar 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.
MACE101028 Apr 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.
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...
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Billy,
You are a wealth of knowledge!!!
Lara
You two are the best!
Oh I had a thought (alert the media!) you could go back on the Topomax, freeze and be entirely too thin! LOL
slowly I turned, iinch by inch...
Methinks she quoth Edgar Allen Poe... lol
Bring it on sistah !!
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!
Sweetlemon - I was quoting a different artist -
Lucille Ball
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