Benefits of Metformin (Cont.)

Other Benefits of Metformin

Metformin may cause weight loss. In most of the studies of metformin before it was approved, people on metformin lost weight (1.4 to 8.4 pounds on average). However, the people who were not taking metformin also lost weight, and the difference between the groups was not significant, meaning that there was no statistical difference between the two groups (see Metformin and Weight Loss for more information).
 
In other studies, metformin was shown to have a positive effect on cholesterol levels, decreasing total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol ("bad" cholesterol). Also, metformin was shown to slightly increase HDL cholesterol ("good" cholesterol). Metformin has also been shown to decrease the amount of insulin people need to take.
 
Other studies have suggested that metformin increases the fertility of women with PCOS and may even decrease the chance of miscarriages in these women (see PCOS and Metformin).
 

Benefits of Metformin: Summary

Metformin has many beneficial effects. However, as with all medicines, metformin side effects are possible, and taking metformin is not without risk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of using metformin for your particular situation.

Pages:

Previous 1 2

Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;