"Metformin" is a vital tool for people suffering from diabetes. "Metformin Richter", the indications for the use of which are suitable for most diabetic patients, helps to reduce blood sugar, ensures that carbohydrate metabolism is maintained at the proper level, thereby improving the quality of life, as evidenced by numerous positive patient reviews.
Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics
"Metformin" inhibits the process of gluconeogenesis in the liver and becomes a barrier to entry of glucose from the intestine into this organ. In this case, there is an increase in peripheral breakdown of glucose and an increase in the susceptibility of liver tissues to insulin. These processes are not accompanied by hypoglycemic reactions, the agent does not affect the natural production of insulin by beta cells of the pancreas, unlike some drug analogues.means "Metformin".
Indications for use for weight loss appeared due to the ability of the drug to stabilize or even significantly reduce the patient's body weight.
After taking Metformin, active substances begin to flow from the gastrointestinal tract, and the effective action of the drug begins after 2-2.5 hours. A feature of the drug is its almost complete non-binding with blood plasma protein.
"Metformin" is able to accumulate in the kidneys and liver, salivary glands, muscle tissues. It is excreted almost completely by the kidneys 9-12 hours after ingestion. If the patient's kidney function is impaired, the drug may accumulate in the body for a long time.
Indications and contraindications
Indications for the use of Metformin are as follows:
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus with no tendency to ketoacidosis, which is very important for overweight diabetics.
- In combination with insulin for type 2 diabetes aggravated by obesity accompanied by secondary insulin resistance.
Despite the high effectiveness of the drug, there are contraindications to the use of "Metformin":
- Ketoacidosis in diabetes, pre-coma or coma.
- Disturbances in the normal functioning of the kidneys.
- Acute diseases leading to kidney dysfunction - infections, dehydration with severe diarrhea or vomiting, high fever, organ diseasesrespiratory system, hypoxia.
- Acute and chronic diseases leading to tissue hypoxia - heart or respiratory failure, acute myocardial infarction.
- Surgical interventions followed by insulin therapy.
- Liver dysfunction.
- Acute ethanol poisoning, chronic alcoholism.
- Pregnancy.
- Breastfeeding.
- Individual intolerance.
Drug dosage
The dosage of "Metformin" is determined based on the content of glucose in the blood and is prescribed by the doctor personally for each patient. Usually the starting dosage ranges from 0.5 to 1 g / day. (1-2 tablets), and then, based on the level of glucose, after 10-15 days of administration, a step-by-step increase in dosage is possible.
The maintenance dose of "Metformin" is 1.5-2.0 g/day. (3-4 tablets), and the maximum dosage is 3.0 g / day. or 6 tablets. For patients of advanced age, the highest dose is not more than 1.0 g / day. (2 tablets).
Indications for the use of "Metformin" and patient reviews suggest that the drug should be taken during a meal or immediately after it, washed down with plain water. The daily dose is recommended to be divided into 2-3 doses during the day.
Overdose management
Overdose can lead to fatal lactic acidosis.
Lactic acidosis is characterized by the following symptoms:
- Dizziness with nausea and vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Sudden drop in body temperature.
- Increased breathing.
- Sharp pain in the muscles, abdomen.
- Loss of consciousness and onset of coma.
If at least mild signs of lactic acidosis appear, you should immediately stop taking Metformin and take measures to hospitalize the patient.
The most effective therapeutic measure for lactic acidosis is hemodialysis, and the treatment of individual symptoms is also effective.
Interaction with other drugs
Metformin, indications for the use of which exclude the simultaneous administration of the drug with other drugs, should not be used together with dinazol due to the hyperglycemic effect of the latter. If it is necessary to undergo a course of treatment with dinazol, an adjustment of the dose of Metformin is necessary, which the doctor must conduct.
Metformin should be completely stopped or dosage adjusted in combination with the following medications:
- "Chlorpromazine".
- Neuroleptic drugs.
- Oral contraceptives, thyroid hormones, thiazide and loop diuretics.
- "Epinephrine".
- "Cimetidine".
Also, with indications for the use of "Metformin", it is necessary to completely abandon the intake of alcohol, inotherwise, judging by the feedback from patients, the therapeutic effect is significantly reduced.
"Metformin": reviews when used for weight loss
Metformin is not limited to the therapeutic effect alone. Indications for use, reviews testify to such abilities as:
- Reducing blood sugar.
- Decrease in natural insulin production leading to decreased appetite.
- Blocking the formation of carbohydrate fuel in the liver.
- Decreased absorption of carbohydrates from food.
To use Metformin for weight loss, it should be understood that its main function is to create conditions under which fat deposits are consumed, and not muscle tissue. Therefore, for effective and harmless weight loss, according to many reviews about the drug by both patients and doctors, favorable conditions should be created:
- Refuse sweets and starchy foods, as well as fast food (noodles, cereals, mashed potatoes).
- Reduce calories.
- Active and regular exercise.
When using "Metformin" for weight loss, the dosage should be 500 mg / day, and intake should be provided before lunch and dinner. Reviews about the preparation of patientstestify to its sufficient effectiveness in losing excess weight, but the use of "Metformin" for these purposes is unacceptable without consulting a therapist and nutritionist.
Side effects
Despite the wide indications for use, "Metformin" can also cause the manifestation of some unpleasant symptoms from the gastrointestinal tract, which are the result of side effects of the drug:
- Vomiting and nausea.
- Low or no appetite.
- flatulence, diarrhea, abdominal pain.
Quite often, these symptoms appear at the very beginning of treatment and, according to patients, disappear on their own.
Much more serious side effects from other systems:
- Hypovitaminosis B12 and lactic acidosis.
- Megaloblastic anemia.
- Hypoglycemia.
- Skin rash as an allergic reaction.
Special instructions for use and patient feedback
Like any other drug that has its own contraindications and indications for use, Metformin requires careful attention to dosage and time of administration.
In particular, during the reception it is necessary to constantly monitor the function of the kidneys, for which at least twice a year, as well as with the manifestation of myalgia, it is necessary to determine the content of lactate in the plasma. In addition, serum creatinine should be monitored every six months, especially in older patients.
Whentaking Metformin in combination with sulfonylurea derivatives, it is important to constantly monitor blood glucose levels.
If you develop diseases of the genitourinary system or bronchopulmonary infections, you should immediately inform your doctor.
Taking the drug does not affect the ability to drive a car and does not interfere with the operation of mechanisms.
The combination of "Metformin" with other hypoglycemic drugs can lead to the development of hypoglycemic conditions characterized by memory impairment, in which it is forbidden to drive a car and engage in other activities that are potentially dangerous and require increased attention and reaction.
During the treatment period, it is strictly forbidden to take alcohol and medicines containing ethanol.
According to reviews of the drug "Metformin", despite the frightening manifestations of many side effects, they are still extremely rare or to a slight extent. And, what sweet lovers especially note, while taking the medicine, it is quite possible to afford a piece of cake or candy, albeit infrequently.
Also, in the reviews of diabetic patients, there is also an increased likelihood of becoming pregnant while taking Metformin, which helps not only get rid of the disease, but also find family happiness.
