Metformin for Weight Loss

In certain cases, patients who suffer from depression may experience suicidal thoughts while taking Liraglutide. The medication may also contain certain ingredients that can cause an allergic reaction in some patients. Since Liraglutide works to inhibit your blood glucose levels, certain patients may experience symptoms of hypoglycemia or low blood sugar as a result of treatment. Patients with thyroid cancer may need to avoid using Liraglutide as the medication can also increase the risk of thyroid tumors.

Women who use Liraglutide as a weight loss treatment should also stop taking the medication while they are pregnant or breastfeeding. Proceeding to use Liraglutide during pregnancy may harm the unborn baby while inside the fetus. The weight loss medication may also pass into breast milk during breastfeeding and adversely affect the newborn. If you believe that you might be pregnant, make sure to consult with your healthcare professional immediately about discontinuing Liraglutide until it’s safe to resume treatment.

It is imperative that you disclose your medical history, any allergies you may have, and medications or other products that you take with your physician before starting Liraglutide treatment. Armed with that information, your doctor will more than likely continue to monitor your blood sugar levels and will adjust your medication regimen if needed. If you’re a patient with a pre-existing condition that can become seriously affected by Liraglutide, your physician may recommend that you avoid using the treatment and instead offer other alternatives, such as Semaglutide, to help you achieve weight loss.

Other Risks From Taking Metformin

B12 Deficiency

Taking metformin may also decrease the amount of vitamin B12 that your body absorbs from food, eventually causing B12 deficiency. The condition can lower your blood cell count and cause you to experience anemia, which can cause various symptoms such as fatigue, pale skin, and muscle weakness. There’s also an increased risk of developing a B12 deficiency while taking metformin if you are older, have had gastrointestinal surgery, struggle with previous stomach conditions that affect B12 absorption, or if you refrain from consuming animal products due to a vegan or vegetarian diet. It is essential to talk to your doctor about the risks of taking metformin if these conditions apply to you so that they can determine the best approach for your metformin treatment. Talk to your doctor about B12 injections like cyanocobalamin and hydroxocobalamin to mitigate this issue.

Lactic Acidosis

One other serious medical complication caused by metformin is lactic acidosis–a condition in which the lactate or lactic acid produced by your muscles accumulates in your blood. This can occur due to increased lactic acid production or your body’s inability to clear the lactic acid from the liver, kidney, or both. Lactic acidosis can also cause you to have cold skin or breathing difficulties, which can appear suddenly or gradually over several days, so make sure to monitor your symptoms and notify your doctor if you begin to experience these side effects.

In many cases, lactic acidosis rarely occurs from taking metformin. But in certain instances, adults may be at increased risk for developing the condition if they struggle with other issues such as:

• Liver disease
• Reduced kidney function
• Heart failure
• Excessive alcohol consumption

You may also need to temporarily discontinue metformin if you’re preparing to have any type of X-ray, CT scan, or surgery that uses dye, as the contrast used in these procedures can also increase the risk of lactic acidosis. Inform your physician if you have a past history of lactic acidosis, as metformin may not work as a suitable option for you. Your doctor will likely recommend other alternative treatments to help you lose weight.

Unexpected Pregnancy

Metformin may also stimulate ovulation in premenopausal women and lead to unintended pregnancy, so discuss the potential risks with your physician if you do not have plans on becoming pregnant.

Even if it turns out that you are indeed pregnant, metformin is usually safe for use during pregnancy and even combined with insulin for pregnant women with type 2 diabetes. However, some pregnant women who take metformin may experience an increase in the severity of mild side effects such as heartburn, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal changes during pregnancy.

Pre-existing Health Conditions

Unfortunately, certain patients may also need to avoid metformin altogether if they already struggle with more serious health complications. Your physician may not recommend metformin, if you suffer from pre-existing conditions such as:

• Metabolic acidosis
• Diabetic ketoacidosis
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Heart disease or congestive heart failure

Make sure to disclose any pre-existing health issues with your healthcare provider before considering metformin treatment. They can determine whether or not metformin can exacerbate your current health condition and recommend other weight-loss treatments that may be more suitable to your circumstances.