Metformin
Brand name: Glucophage
Average weight loss
~5%
of body weight
What is Metformin?
Metformin is one of the most widely prescribed medications in the world, with over 60 years of clinical use. Originally developed for type 2 diabetes, it has been shown to support modest but meaningful weight loss while providing additional metabolic benefits.
It works by reducing glucose production in the liver, improving insulin sensitivity in muscles and fat tissue, and may modestly reduce appetite. It's often used as a complement to GLP-1 medications.
Key advantages
Very affordable
Available as a low-cost generic, making it accessible to most patients.
Decades of data
One of the best-studied medications with extensive long-term safety data.
Cardiovascular benefits
Shown to reduce cardiovascular risk independent of blood sugar control.
Combinable
Can be safely combined with GLP-1 medications for enhanced effects.
Dosing
Extended-release (ER) formulations may be prescribed for better GI tolerability.
Common side effects
Side effects are usually mild and improve with time, especially with extended-release formulations.