These recent posts concern me that doctors are prescribing glucophage, a drug to treat DIABETES, for weight loss. This drug should never be taken for the specific purpose of losing weight. This drug lowers insulin levels. From the drug maker: "GLUCOPHAGE and GLUCOPHAGE XR are used to treat type 2 diabetes. This is also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. People with type 2 diabetes are not able to make enough insulin or respond normally to the insulin their bodies make. When this happens, sugar (glucose) builds up in the blood. This can lead to serious medical problems including kidney damage, amputations, and blindness. Diabetes is also closely linked to heart disease. The main goal of treating diabetes is to lower your blood sugar to a normal level." Notice it says nothing about WEIGHT LOSS. That is simply a possible side effect, not a reason for taking the drug. This can be a very dangerous drug, it can cause severe hypoglycemia, lactic acidosis, or other side effects. | Do not take Glucophage without first talking to your doctor if you | | � | have congestive heart failure; | | � | have acute or chronic metabolic acidosis, including diabetic ketoacidosis; | | � | have had a heart attack or a stroke; | | � | have a serious infection, illness, or injury; | | � | need to have x-rays or other procedures using injectable contrast agents; | (MRIs) | � | are dehydrated (have lost water from your body) due to diarrhea, vomiting, fever, heat stroke, decreased fluid intake, or any other cause; | | � | are 80 years of age or older and have not had your kidney function tested. | | � | You may not be able to take Glucophage, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. | | � | Glucophage is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is unlikely to harm an unborn baby. Usually, your doctor will want to prescribe insulin to control diabetes during pregnancy. Do not take Glucophage without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. | | � | Glucophage passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby. Do not take Glucophage without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. | | � | If you are over the age of 65 years, there may be an slight increase in the risk of developing lactic acidosis due to a natural decline in kidney function with advancing age. A lower dose or special monitoring may be necessary during your treatment. I worry that doctors are using glucophage as a "cure all." I have personally been on glucophage for almost six weeks (give or take) for ovarian cysts! I do not have high blood sugar or high insulin levels, I am hypoglycemic. My rep endo placed me on a 6 week trial of glucophage to "treat" my ovarian cysts/ovarian tumor. I have been very sick on the drug, but my endo insisted that I stay on it for this trial period to see if it helps. I find out next week if the tumor is there and if it has continued to grow. You can bet that I will not be back on glucophage again. I have had several hypoglycemic spells on the drug and have felt generally worse and weak and extremely fatigued (to the point of falling over.) I am just praying that it has not messed up my hormones too much. I wish I had never agreed to try it...I have hot flashes, chills, nausea, dizziness, extreme weakness, extreme exhaustion, body aches and pains, constant gi probs...you name it. Please do not view this as a weight loss drug. It isn't and taking it when you do not need it (basically like I am) can cause harm. I believe only diabetes patients should take it. My Pampa has diabetes and he takes it. He controlled his diabetes with diet and exercise for ten years before he had to start taking diabetes meds. If your doctor prescribes it, ask him why he thinks you need it. If you have normal or low glucose or insulin levels, I recommend against taking it. You would be as miserable as I am. Educate yourself, don't blindly take the prescription your doctor prescribes without knowing exactly what it is for, what the side effects are, and what the dangers are for taking the drug. I never try a drug without first thoroughly investigating it (including reading medical papers and trials and research.) It's very important, it's your body, not theirs. Take care and be smart! Meri | |
