Can glucophage benefit me?

I am 44 years old, about 30 lbs. overweight, but am in otherwise good health and have normal blood sugar levels. Diabetes and heart disease do run in my family however. Would I benefit from taking glucophage either as a prevention of heart disease and diabetes or as a weight loss aid?

If you are not diabetic you should not be taking glucophage. This medication is not used to prevent diabetes if you want to avoid having heart disease or diabetes loose that extra weight and watch your diet. Glucophage has some nasty side effects for some folks. most notably terrible cramps and diarrhea. I have been a pharmacist for 17 years.

We have a med called Glucophage forte here in South Africa as far as I know we do not prescribe Glucophage as a prevention measure for heart disease or diabetes I can honestly say I really doubt it will make a good prevention measure for any of the above mentioned diseases.

Cheers
Dr. Charalambous

I'm 31 years and i used glucophage and i lost 35 kg but sure under a Dr vision

While glucophage is sometimes used off-label as a weight loss aid, the side effects (diarrhea, upset stomach, nausea) usually outweigh the weight loss benefit. If you become pre-diabetic (fasting blood sugar between 110-126mg/dl) it is often used as a bridge to further diabetic management if and when necessary. Diet and exercise are the only steadfast way to lose weight! Good luck!

Glocophage is for controlling blood sugar not weight loss. It sounds like you are on your way to being diabetic-pre diabetes. I would get a quick test at your doc's office to find out.

Then regardless I would recommend you strart losing weight and watch your diet.

Diabetes can be avoided if you do the right things. Trust me you don't want to get it.

if your blood sugars are normal, i don't think a dr. would prescribe it for you. it could cause your blood sugars to drop too low. talk to your doctor and see what he/she thinks about it. my daughter was borderline about 9 months ago...they did not put her on any meds. she started a good eating plan and goes to the gym 3-4 days/wk, and in 6 weeks her sugars were normal again. if you start to lower your simple carb & saturated fat intake, increase good sources of protein and veggies, and walk 45 min twice a day...the weight will come off fairly fast. swimming is super good too.
best of luck to you.

The best preventative measure to avoid diabetes is to eat well and exercise and lose as much excess weight as possible. This medication really isn't meant to be used to prevent diabetes or to aid in weight loss.