Glucophage. Instructions for use, regimen for losing weight, price, reviews, analogues

The drug Glukofazh refers to the drugs that are taken for diabetes. However, despite the instructions for use, it is used for other purposes, including overweight, high cholesterol, atherosclerosis, menopause in women.

Composition

The instruction for use states that the active ingredient of the Glucophage preparation is metformina hudrochloride. The composition of this medication also includes a compound of magnesium salt with stearic acid and a complexing agent povidone, which are auxiliary components.

Release form

Metformin (Glucophage) is a drug that has an oval and convex capsule shell.

It is produced in different dosages:

• 0.5 g and 0.85 g - milky tablets, rounded, elongated, covered with a capsule shell;
• 1 g - milk-colored tablet dosage form: rounded, elongated tablets, with a break line in the middle. A distinctive feature of this type of medicine is the inscription 1000 on both sides of the tablet.

Indications

Glucophage (instructions for use classifies this medicine as antidiabetic drugs - biguanides) help to normalize the amount of glucose in the human blood.

The primary purpose of this drug is the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

But Glucophage is also taken with:

• high cholesterol levels;
• increased content of lipoproteins;
• high triglyceride levels;
• obesity and overweight;
• menopause in women;
• secondary atherosclerosis.

Studies of Glucophage have shown that this medicine can be used in different areas of medicine.

Contraindications

Glucophage (instructions for use are included in the package) has limitations for use.

The main contraindications are:

• special sensitivity to the constituents of metformin;
• violation of carbohydrate metabolism as a result of a lack of insulin;
• coma - with a sharp lack of insulin in the blood;
• pulmonary hypertension;
• disorder of the liver;
• hepatic encephalopathy;
• violation of water-salt metabolism of the kidneys at any stage;
• severe stress;
• decreased immunity;
• period after operations;
• pregnancy and the period of breastfeeding;
• alcoholism;
• MRI with contrast (the use of Glucophage is canceled a few days before and after);
• accumulation of lactic acid in the body (recorded at least once).

These contraindications are absolute. An additional contraindication is hypoglycemic nutritional therapy, which lowers blood sugar levels.

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Use during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy: since there is not enough reliable data in modern medicine about the use of Glucophage during pregnancy, the period of pregnancy is an absolute contraindication.

Those clinical trials that were conducted in laboratories are ambiguous in their conclusions. It has not been proven that fetal malformations are the result of taking metformin or have other causes.

Lactation: Metformin or Glucophage almost does not pass into breast milk. But there is no exact data on research, it is not known which portion of the medicine the child will receive, for this reason, the instructions for the medicine indicate an absolute prohibition on taking the drug during the feeding period, which can protect the life of the child and mother.

Instructions for use

Glucophage (instructions for use describe all the nuances of using the drug) are prescribed to different categories of people. These are adults, children over ten years old, elderly people. For various chronic diseases, the dosage of the drug and the regimen of its administration also differ.

Adults

When using only one type of drug, no more than 0.5 g or 0.85 g of the drug is prescribed as an initial dose in the morning and in the evening after 12 hours.

If there are no side effects, then after two weeks the dosage of the drug is adjusted in accordance with the results obtained. You can reduce the amount of the drug taken if the glucose test shows a significant decrease in its level, or increase it when the dose of Glucophage is not enough to cope with the abnormally high glucose level.

The dosage of the drug is usually increased gradually, otherwise hypoglycemia and undesirable manifestations from the stomach and intestines can be provoked. The maximum dose recommended by doctors is 3 g within 24 hours, evenly distributed over the number of meals. For example, if there are 5 meals per day - Glucophage is taken 5 times a day with meals.

The use of glucophage and insulin

In order to better control the amount of glucose, it may be necessary to combine Glucophage with insulin. The starting dose of metformin is 0.5 g or 0.85 g of the drug twice a day, after 12 hours. The amount of insulin is selected based on the results of the glucose test.

Children

The use of Glucophage for children is allowed from 10 years old. The starting dose ranges from 0.25-0.85 g of the drug once a day. The remedy is taken with meals. After two weeks, based on the results of therapy, the amount of medication can and should be adjusted.

The dosage of Glucophage is both increased and decreased very slowly so that there are no sudden surges in glucose or negative manifestations from the gastrointestinal tract.

The maximum dose for children is 2 g of the drug per day, which is divided into the number of meals.

Elderly people

When treating this category of people, it is recommended to adjust the dosage of Glucophage based on an examination of the kidneys. Compliance is checked every 2-4 months.

Patients with kidney disease

Glucophage (instructions for use allow the drug to be taken for kidney problems) with kidney pathology is taken, taking into account the limitations - the creatinine level should be within the acceptable range of 0.4-0.6 μmol / l.

The starting amount of Glucophage for such people is 0.5-0.85 g once a day with meals. The maximum dose of the drug per day is 1 g per day, divided into two doses, after 12 hours. Every 2-4 months it is necessary to check the condition of the kidneys. If necessary, the use of Glucophage is discontinued.

Glucophage for weight loss

Glucophage is taken when overweight, since, according to the instructions for use, it helps to reduce the level of bad cholesterol, triacylglycerides and lipoproteins in the body.The active components in Glucophage help to normalize glucose levels and reduce the production of the hormone insulin. This helps to reduce subcutaneous fat.

How Glucophage works when overweight:

• absorption of glucose decreases - the root cause of extra pounds;
• fatty acids are broken down faster, which supply the cells of the body with energy;
• the work of protein kinase is activated (responsible for the energy of cells);
• decreases gluconeogenesis (glucose synthesis);
• carbohydrates are delivered to the muscles faster;
• insulin sensitivity improves.

Scientists have determined that when food is consumed, the amount of glucose in the body increases, resulting in an increased release of the hormone insulin. If the amount of food consumed is not controlled, then this leads to disruption of metabolic processes in the body and excessive accumulation of fatty deposits.

Medicines based on metformin are used for weight loss purposes, but dietary principles must be followed for weight loss to be effective. It is imperative to limit the consumption of sugar and white flour (in all types).

How to take glucophage for weight loss

There are several types of therapy with Glucophage:

1. Every day, three times before meals, 0.5 g. The appearance of side effects may indicate that the dosage is exceeded - there is a need to reduce the dose by half. It is necessary to take the drug from 20 days to 1 month. Then they take a break for up to 3 months.
2. The most optimal amount of metformin is 1.5–2 g per day. If, with such a dosage of the drug and compliance with all the conditions of admission, there is no positive result, you need to increase the dose to 3 g. But you cannot take Glucophage in larger quantities. The product must be washed down with a sufficient amount of liquid (non-carbonated).
3. Prolonged Glucophage. In this form, the drug is taken only twice a day. This will help reduce the urge to eat day and night. Prolonged Glucophage is taken only in a dosage of 0.5 g and 0.85 g.
4. Glucophage at a dosage of 1 g can also be taken for weight loss. Depending on the individual characteristics of the organism, it is possible to take the drug once a day or more. But the daily dosage should not be more than 3 g.

The most important condition for the positive result of the use of Glucophage to combat obesity is the rejection of simple carbohydrates (or their consumption in minimal quantities).

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Special instructions and precautions

When using Glucophage, there is a need to be careful:

1. Lactic acidosis - This is a pathological condition in which lactic acid accumulates in the human body, which causes coma. Such a process can be started by Glucophage only if the person has kidney problems. In addition, it can be caused by a lack of oxygen in the body, organs and muscle tissue. The reason for this condition is a prolonged hunger strike, alcohol and drug intoxication, which is accompanied by rapid breathing, abdominal cramps, and a drop in body temperature.
2. Operational interventions. This type of treatment necessarily requires stopping the use of metformin two days before and two days after surgery.
3. Kidney function. Glucophage is removed from the body through the kidneys, therefore, mandatory monitoring of kidney function is required: once a year - with normal kidney function. Every quarter - if creatinine is below 40 μmol / L.
4. Childhood. It has not been scientifically proven that Glucophage, when treating children over the age of 10, does not affect physical and sexual development. Therefore, control is necessary. During the period of using metformin for the treatment of children, it is necessary to control all parameters of growth and maturation.
5. Mandatory compliance principles of dietary nutrition.
6. There is a need for glucose testing, especially for those people who take Glucophage along with insulin.
7. Transport and mechanisms. These types of work are not prohibited when using metformin. But care must be taken, as each person may have an individual reaction to the drug.

Reviews of doctors

The opinions of doctors about the drug Glucophage are in most cases positive. Basically, Glucophage has established itself as a means of combating overweight and a drug that normalizes glucose levels during pathological surges.

There is an opinion of doctors that Glucophage has a positive effect on male strength, and also slows down the aging of the body. There are laboratory studies confirming this effect of Glucophage on the human body.

Reviews of losing weight from forums

The instructions for use do not present the opinions of patients taking Glucophage, and among them there are very different ones, both confirming the positive effect of Glucophage, and criticizing it for its absolute uselessness and even the opposite effect.

For example, there is evidence that Glucophage helps you lose weight after pregnancy. You can lose 10 kg in 3 months. This may be enough for the average pregnancy weight gain to return to normal weight.

According to another review, taking the drug not only did not contribute to weight loss, but also caused weight gain, which suggests that the action of the drug depends on the individual characteristics of the organism.

Interaction with other medicinal products

There are absolute contraindications to the combination of Glucophage with certain medications, undesirable interactions and those that require increased attention.

Special instructions for them:

1. Absolute contraindications. These interactions include contrast-enhanced MRI scans. In this case, the level of lactic acid may rise, which causes coma. If it is necessary to conduct this examination, metformin is canceled two days before and is not taken two days after.
2. Unwanted. Alcohol in combination with Glucophage could be attributed to absolute contraindications, if not for one peculiarity: the amount of lactic acid increases only with strong intoxication and with an empty stomach. Medicines based on ethyl alcohol are also undesirable.

Require increased attention:

• spiranolactone - not recommended for use with metformin. This combination can, on the contrary, increase blood glucose levels;
• Chlorpromazine in large quantities raises blood glucose levels. Dose adjustment is required;
• glucocorticoids (of any action) cause prediabetes, increase blood sugar. Mandatory glucose control and dose adjustment of metformin;
• diuretics. The combination of furosemide with Glucophage usually leads to an increase in lactic acid levels due to kidney pathologies;
• injections of adrenergic blockers increase sugar levels in the body. Sugar control. Combine with insulin if necessary;
• calcium channel blockers increase the absorption and retention of Glucophage in the body;
• narcotic analgesics. The combination of Glucophage with these drugs increases the effect of the latter on the body.

Can I take with alcohol

The combined use of metformin and alcoholic beverages is unacceptable. First of all, due to the possible development of lactic acidosis and, as a result, coma. Secondly, a mixture of Glucophage and alcohol adds to the work of the liver. Especially if the given organ already has lesions.

Ethyl alcohol in combination with Glucophage can lower blood glucose levels to critically low levels.This is fraught with hypoglycemic coma, the symptoms of which can be indistinguishable from alcohol intoxication and can be fatal.

Side effects

Glucophage has side effects:

1. Metabolic processes - lactic acid may accumulate. The assimilation of cobalamin (B12) is impaired.
2. Neurology is a violation of the taste buds.
3. Gastrointestinal tract - loose stools, urge to vomit, decreased appetite.
4. Skin - allergic reactions in the form of rash and irritation, erythema.
5. Biliary system - violations of the biochemical parameters of the liver.

The above side effects disappear immediately after the drug is discontinued.

Overdose symptoms

The main manifestations of overdose include lactic acidosis, a condition in which the level of lactic acid rises sharply.

It manifests itself with symptoms such as:

• severe abdominal pain;
• indomitable vomiting;
• muscle pain.

The condition requires immediate medical intervention in a hospital setting.

Shelf life and storage conditions

The shelf life of a drug is the time during which it is safe to take it. For dosages of 0.5 g and 0.85 g, the shelf life is up to five years, for a dosage of 1 g - up to three years. The shelf life is correct if the required storage temperature is observed - from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius.

Price

The cost of glucophage depends on the dosage and the number of tablets in the package. The price of the drug varies from 120 rubles. per package (0.5 g - 30 tablets) up to 750 rubles. per package (1 g - 60 tablets).

Equivalent means

Glucophage has generics or drugs with a similar effect and the main active ingredient:

1. Bagomet - a representative of oral hypoglycemic drugs. It consists of Glucophage and a sulfonylurea derivative. The price depends on the dosage and ranges from 130 rubles. up to 200 rubles
2. Glyformin - an oral drug of the pharmacological group of dimethylbeguanides, increases the rate of excretion of simple carbohydrates from the body, inhibits the absorption of carbohydrates in the intestine. The cost of this drug is from 110 rubles. up to 350 rubles
3. Siofor - oral form of Glucophage or its analogue. The drug helps to reduce triglycerides and lipoproteins. Against the background of taking Siofor, excess weight is effectively lost. The price of this drug ranges from 270 rubles. up to 370 rubles.
4. Metformin - oral form of the drug. There are different dosages of this medication in pharmacies. It is a drug that lowers blood sugar levels. It promotes fat oxidation. The price for this drug ranges from 10 rubles. up to 200 rubles, depending on the dosage.

The drug "Glucophage" regulating the level of glucose in the body is taken not only for diabetes mellitus, but also in the presence of excess weight in order to lose weight. Taking the drug, you must follow the instructions for use and do not increase the dosage in excess of the norm. Glucophage has serious side effects, which also occur in case of overdose.

Article design: Oksana Grivina

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