Network meta- analysis revealed that in adolescents , intervention with 2000 mg/day metformin ranked better than other interventions ; however , 1000 mg/day metformin for 3 months may be most suitable for adolescents .
For adults , metformin at doses of 3000 and 1000 mg/day ranked the highest , other than minimeal and lifestyle interventions ; moreover , intervention with 3000 mg/day for 6 months and 1000 mg/day for 0.5 months may be suitable for adults .
Conclusion When considering the efficacy of interventions for losing weight , metformin offers clear advantages for overweight and obese population
Purpose Our aim was to assess the efficacy of metformin for weight loss in overweight and obese people through a systematic review and network meta- analysis and to identify the most suitable dosage and intervention period for using metformin  in adolescents and adults .
Metformin extended release treatment of adolescent obesity: a 48-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 48-week follow-up.
BACKGROUND Metformin has been proffered as a therapy for adolescent obesity , although long-term controlled studies have not been reported . OBJECTIVE To test the hypothesis that 48 weeks of daily metformin hydrochloride extended release ( XR ) therapy will reduce body mass index ( BMI ) in obese adolescents , as compared with placebo . DESIGN Multicenter , r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled clinical trial . SETTING The 6 centers of the Glaser Pediatric Research Network from October 2003 to August 2007 . PARTICIPANTS Obese ( BMI > or = 95th percentile ) adolescents ( aged 13 - 18 years ) were r and omly assigned to the intervention ( n = 39 ) or placebo groups . Intervention Following a 1-month run-in period , subjects following a lifestyle intervention program  were r and omized 1:1 to 48 weeks ' treatment with metformin hydrochloride XR , 2000 mg once daily , or an identical placebo . Subjects were monitored for an additional 48 weeks . Main Outcome Measure Change in BMI , adjusted for site , sex , race , ethnicity , and age and metformin vs placebo . RESULTS After 48 weeks , mean ( SE ) adjusted BMI increased 0.2 ( 0.5 ) in the placebo group and decreased 0.9 ( 0.5 ) in the metformin XR group ( P = .03 ) . This difference persisted for 12 to 24 weeks after cessation of treatment . No significant effects of metformin on body composition , abdominal fat , or insulin indices were observed . CONCLUSION Metformin XR caused a small but statistically significant decrease in BMI when added to a lifestyle intervention program . TRIAL REGISTRATION clinical trials.gov Identifiers : NCT00209482 and NCT00120146
Network meta- analysis revealed that in adolescents , intervention with 2000 mg/day metformin ranked better than other interventions ; however , 1000 mg/day metformin for 3 months may be most suitable for adolescents .
For adults , metformin at doses of 3000 and 1000 mg/day ranked the highest , other than minimeal and lifestyle interventions ; moreover , intervention with 3000 mg/day for 6 months and 1000 mg/day for 0.5 months may be suitable for adults .
Conclusion When considering the efficacy of interventions for losing weight , metformin offers clear advantages for overweight and obese population
Purpose Our aim was to assess the efficacy of metformin for weight loss in overweight and obese people through a systematic review and network meta- analysis and to identify the most suitable dosage and intervention period for using metformin  in adolescents and adults .