Can You Take Berberine and Metformin Together for Weight Loss?
Key takeaways:
Metformin is a prescription medication that’s FDA approved to treat Type 2 diabetes. Berberine is an over-the-counter dietary supplement. Berberine and metformin may lead to weight loss, but neither is approved for this use.
Berberine and metformin help lower blood glucose (sugar) and reduce fat production. It’s likely safe to take them together, but we don’t know for sure if the combination will result in increased weight loss.
Taking berberine and metformin together may raise your risk of low blood glucose levels and stomach-related side effects. It’s best to check with your healthcare team before taking berberine and metformin at the same time.
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Weight-loss trends spread fast on social media, but not all of them are backed by science. One recent trend suggests that combining berberine (a plant-based supplement) with metformin (a prescription diabetes medication) may boost weight loss.
Metformin is a first-choice medication for Type 2 diabetes. It’s not officially a weight-loss medication, but some people do lose weight while taking it. Berberine, on the other hand, is a natural compound found in plants such as goldenseal and tree turmeric. For centuries, practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine have used berberine, and it’s now gaining attention as “nature’s Ozempic” for its possible effects on metabolism and weight.
But does taking berberine and metformin together actually help with weight loss? And is it safe? Let’s take a closer look at the science, benefits, and risks of this combination.
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How do berberine and metformin work for weight loss?
Metformin and berberine may help promote weight loss in similar ways. But there are some differences between them.
Metformin can help with weight loss by:
Reducing the amount of glucose made by your liver, which also reduces the amount of glucose that’s turned into body fat
Changing digestive hormone levels, which can reduce your appetite
Altering the microbiome (natural bacteria) in your gut
Berberine is a dietary supplement. We don’t have many human studies on berberine, but animal studies show it may help with weight loss by:
Reducing the amount of glucose made by your liver
Activating brown fat (which helps burn more calories)
Lowering the amount of carbohydrates the body absorbs
Keep in mind that neither metformin nor berberine are FDA-approved weight-loss medications. Metformin is only approved for Type 2 diabetes, although it has many other off-label uses, including weight management. Berberine is a dietary supplement. The FDA doesn't regulate dietary supplements the same way they regulate prescription medications. This means the FDA did not verify that berberine supplements are safe and effective.
What’s it like to take berberine? Read first-hand accounts of what it’s like to take berberine for weight loss.
Guide to weight-loss pills: Learn which pills are approved for weight loss and how they compare to find the right one for your needs.
Weight loss and insurance: Here’s a guide to help you determine what’s covered by insurance (and what’s not) when it comes to obesity care and weight loss.
Can you take berberine and metformin together for weight loss?
Yes, it’s generally safe to take berberine and metformin together. They don’t directly interact with each other. But there are some risks and side effects to consider with this combination (more on that later). So it’s best to talk with a healthcare professional before taking berberine and metformin at the same time.
How effective are berberine and metformin for weight loss?
Metformin generally has modest effects on weight. Its effects on body weight are most pronounced in people with Type 2 diabetes. And among those without diabetes, it’s most beneficial for people who have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher. One large study found that metformin led to a loss of up to 5 lbs for people who have a BMI over 30 but not diabetes. Other studies report people losing about 6 lbs to 8 lbs while taking metformin for Type 2 diabetes.
On the other hand, it's not fully clear how much body weight someone can lose while taking berberine. Its effects on body weight are generally considered mild. A review of studies found that berberine helped people lose an average of 4.5 lbs.
Another study found that berberine was most effective for weight loss when the person taking it:
Has a BMI of 25 or higher
Takes a berberine dosage of more than 1 g per day
Takes berberine for at least 8 weeks of treatment
Are berberine and metformin more effective for weight loss when taken together?
It’s possible, but experts can’t say for sure. More research is needed to determine if a combination of berberine and metformin provides added benefits for weight loss.
However, some data suggests the combination may be helpful for other uses.
For those with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), there might be a benefit to taking berberine with metformin. Taking them together is thought to have an additive effect on PCOS management, meaning they work better together rather than alone.
Plus, combining berberine and metformin may have an additive effect on lowering cholesterol and improving insulin resistance.
How long can you take berberine or metformin for weight loss?
Most people take metformin as a long-term treatment for Type 2 diabetes. This is true no matter your body size or if you’re hoping to experience weight loss as a side effect. Your prescriber can tell you if you should stop taking metformin for any reason.
The long-term effects of taking berberine for weight loss are less clear. The way that berberine works on fat cells is thought to be associated with long-term weight loss, and some data suggests berberine is safe to take in 6-month increments. But this timeframe isn’t set in stone. If you’re interested in taking berberine, ask your prescriber for a recommended treatment timeline.
What are the risks and side effects of combining berberine and metformin?
Berberine and metformin both lower blood glucose levels. So it’s possible that the combination could reduce your blood glucose too much (hypoglycemia). If this happens, you may feel shaky, sweaty, or lightheaded.
The risk of hypoglycemia is low if you take berberine or metformin individually. But the risk goes up when you take them together. It also goes up if you’re taking other diabetes medications along with metformin and berberine.
Common metformin side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and bloating. Berberine can cause similar side effects — with diarrhea, constipation, and gassiness all being common complaints. These side effects tend to be short-lived and go away after a few weeks. But combining berberine and metformin may make them more likely or severe than usual.
Your healthcare team can discuss the risks and side effects of taking berberine and metformin in regards to your personal history. They can also review your medication list to keep an eye out for any other issues with this combination.
What are the best alternatives to berberine and metformin for weight loss?
There are a number of scientifically backed ways to lose weight. These include cutting back on refined carbohydrates, regular exercise, and more. Incorporating healthy lifestyle changes and sticking to them can go a long way.
Beyond lifestyle changes, several medications are approved for weight loss. Top examples are weight-loss pills such as Contrave (naltrexone / bupropion), Qsymia (phentermine / topiramate ER), and Orlistat (Alli, Xenical). Injectables, such as Wegovy (semaglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide), are also options. Many more weight-loss medications are on the horizon, too.
If weight loss is something that you’re interested in, it’s important to talk with your healthcare team about the safest and most effective options for you.
Frequently asked questions
You shouldn’t take berberine with cyclosporine, a common transplant medication. And it’s a good idea to check with your healthcare team before taking berberine if you’re taking other medications for diabetes or heart problems. You should also avoid berberine if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
Probably not. If metformin isn’t working for you, or you’re having bothersome side effects, talk to your prescriber about your options. You shouldn’t try to replace a prescription medication with an OTC supplement without your prescriber’s OK.
The bottom line
Metformin is a prescription medication that treats Type 2 diabetes. For some people, it causes weight loss as a side effect. Berberine is a dietary supplement that’s also been linked to mild weight loss. It’s likely safe to take metformin and berberine together, but it’s not clear if the combination will result in greater weight loss. And neither product is an approved weight-loss medication.
If you’re considering taking berberine and metformin to lose weight, it's best to talk with your healthcare team first. They can review your medication list and personal history to determine the safest options for you.
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References
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