Zepym Health
Metformin

Taken by mouth · Once a day

Weight lossOral medicationMetabolic

Metformin

Oral metformin, used off-label for weight loss and metabolic health. Metformin improves insulin sensitivity and reduces glucose production, supporting steady blood sugar and modest weight loss.

  • Improves insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism
  • Supports steady blood sugar and energy
  • Modest weight loss in most users
  • Monthly$99/mo
  • Every 3 months$237 billed up front$79/mo
  • Every 6 monthsBest value$414 billed up front$69/mo
  • Free, discreet shipping
  • Licensed U.S. pharmacy
  • Board-certified physicians

Disclaimer: Prescription products require an online evaluation with a licensed medical professional who will determine if a prescription is appropriate. Products are compounded by a licensed pharmacy. The FDA has not reviewed or approved compounded products for any use for safety, efficacy, or quality. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved brand-name products.

How
Taken by mouth
How often
Once a day
Each shipment
30 tablets
Strengths
2 options · 1–500 mg

What is Metformin?

(biguanide, oral antidiabetic)

Metformin is an oral medication approved for diabetes that improves how your body uses insulin and regulates blood glucose. Off-label use for weight loss is based on its effects on metabolic health and insulin resistance.

What's in it

  • MetforminImproves insulin sensitivity

Modest

average 2–3 kg weight loss over 6 months with diet

Metformin is not a weight-loss drug per se; it improves metabolic function. Weight loss typically comes from improved insulin sensitivity, reduced hunger, and steadier blood sugar. Results vary widely.

Is it right for you?

  • Who it's for

    People with prediabetes, insulin resistance or PCOS who want a low-cost first step.

  • What sets it apart

    A pill with sixty years of use. Weight loss is modest, around 2 to 3% of body weight, far less than a GLP-1.

  • Worth knowing before you start

    Take it with your largest meal. Stomach upset in the first two weeks is common and usually settles.

What to expect

  • Weight loss

    steady but modest; depends on diet and activity

  • Appetite change

    reduced hunger or improved fullness is common

  • Energy and metabolism

    gradual improvement with weight loss and diet

  • Medical oversight

    your physician monitors for side effects and efficacy

How oral weight-loss medications work

  1. Day 1

    A US-licensed physician reviews your health, metabolism, and why an oral medication may help you. Explains the medication's mechanism and what to expect.

    1
  2. Week 1–2

    Start your dose. You may feel appetite changes within days, or changes may take weeks. GI effects (metformin) or mood changes (naltrexone) are possible early on.

    2
  3. Weeks 3–6

    Your appetite and eating patterns shift. Fullness comes sooner. Your physician checks in and may adjust your dose based on response and tolerability.

    3
  4. Months 2–3

    Steady, gradual weight loss. Metabolism and appetite remain improved. Your physician monitors for any side effects and adjusts dosing.

    4
  5. Beyond

    Maintenance: your physician works with you to hold results or adjust as your body changes. Long-term monitoring ensures ongoing safety.

    5

Individual results vary. Benefits reflect what Zepym Health members commonly report to their physician at check-ins; they are not the results of a clinical trial.

How you use it

This is the starting dose the pharmacy prints on the label. Your physician sets yours and adjusts it with you.

How
Taken by mouth
Dose
1 tablet (1,000 mg)
How often
Once a day
When
At bedtime
Each shipment
30 tablets
Pharmacy label
Take 1 tablet (1,000 mg) by mouth once daily with your evening meal for 30 days.

A sample week

  1. M
  2. T
  3. W
  4. T
  5. F
  6. S
  7. S

Once a day

Strengths the pharmacy carries

  • 1,000 mg
  • 500 mg

The science of oral weight-loss medications

Metformin improves insulin sensitivity and reduces hepatic glucose production. Studies show modest weight loss (2–3 kg average) in non-diabetic adults, especially those with metabolic syndrome.

Weight loss is gradual and modest; the main benefit is metabolic health, not dramatic fat loss. Best results occur with diet and activity changes.

Learn more

Important safety information and common side effects

Oral weight-loss medications (metformin, naltrexone, topiramate) have different safety profiles. Metformin: GI side effects (nausea, diarrhea) common, especially initially; not for severe kidney disease. Naltrexone: generally well-tolerated; headache or dizziness possible. Topiramate: cognitive effects ('topiramate fog', difficulty concentrating, word-finding) in 10–15%; kidney stones possible. All are off-label for weight loss; efficacy and safety are not FDA-approved for this use. Tell your physician about all medications, kidney disease, and any history of kidney stones (topiramate). Stop and seek care for severe GI pain (metformin), severe headache, allergic reactions, or eye pain (topiramate).

Every plan includes

  • Personalized, physician-guided plan
  • Monthly, 3-month and 6-month plans
  • Dispensed by a US-licensed compounding pharmacy
  • Unlimited protocol adjustments and messaging
  • Ongoing support and check-ins
  • Pause or cancel anytime
  • Reviewed by our in-house physicians
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How it works

  1. 1.Connect with a physician

    Answer a few questions online and a US-licensed physician reviews your health, history and goals to make sure treatment is right for you. 100% online. No in-person visit required.

  2. 2.Get your discreet shipment

    If approved, your treatment is compounded by a US-licensed, LegitScript-certified pharmacy, inspected for quality, and shipped discreetly to your door.

  3. 3.Receive continuous support

    Start with one goal, then keep building over time. Unlimited physician messaging, easy refills and dose adjustments, all from the Zepym Health app.

Metformin educational content reviewed by our physician

Scott Nass, MDDoctor of Medicine, board-certified in Family Medicine

Charles R. Drew University and David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Family Medicine residency at Ventura County Medical Center.

Frequently asked questions

How do I take Metformin?

Taken by mouth, once a day, at bedtime. The starting prescription is 1 tablet (1,000 mg) each time. Your physician sets your own dose and it is printed on your label.

What strengths does Metformin come in?

The pharmacy carries 2: 1,000 mg, 500 mg. Your physician chooses which one you get.

How much arrives in each shipment?

30 tablets at the starting strength, shipped to your door from a licensed US pharmacy.

Is metformin actually for weight loss?

It's off-label for weight loss. Metformin's primary use is diabetes. For weight loss, it works by improving metabolic health and insulin function, supporting modest, steady weight loss. It is not a replacement for semaglutide or tirzepatide.

Why are these off-label?

These medications are FDA-approved for other conditions (diabetes, seizures, addiction) but not specifically for weight loss. Off-label use is legal and common; your physician prescribes based on research and experience.

Which one should I choose?

That depends on your health profile, goals, and what side effects you can tolerate. Metformin is gentlest but least effective. Naltrexone is experimental. Topiramate is moderate. Your physician will recommend based on your individual needs.

Can I combine these with GLP-1 drugs?

Yes, some combinations are used; for example, topiramate plus phentermine. However, combining multiple weight-loss medications requires careful physician oversight.

What if these don't work?

If you see minimal effect after 8–12 weeks, your physician may increase the dose, switch medications, or recommend GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide or tirzepatide for stronger effect.

Oral weight loss, gradual and supported.

  • Tirzepatide + B12

    A weekly dual-action GLP-1/GIP injection for meaningful weight loss and appetite control, paired with vitamin B12 for energy.

    Injection

    from $208/mo

  • Semaglutide + B12

    A weekly GLP-1 injection that quiets cravings and supports steady, sustainable weight loss, paired with vitamin B12 for energy.

    Injection

    from $129/mo

  • Tirzepatide + Glycine

    A weekly dual-action GLP-1/GIP injection for meaningful weight loss and appetite control, paired with glycine for better tolerance.

    Injection

    from $208/mo

  • Semaglutide + Glycine

    A weekly GLP-1 injection that quiets cravings and supports steady, sustainable weight loss, paired with glycine for better tolerance.

    Injection

    from $129/mo

Ready to start?

Answer a few questions and take your first step to living well.

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The above statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Prescription products require an online evaluation with a licensed medical professional who will determine if a prescription is appropriate. Individual results vary.

Sources

  1. 1

    Metformin and weight loss: a systematic review of non-diabetic use.

    Obes Surg, 2017
  2. 2

    Topiramate for weight loss: clinical efficacy and safety review.

    Drugs Today, 2019

from $69/mo

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