METFORMIN

What is metformin?

Metformin is a first-line agent used in the treatment of Type II diabetes. It helps lower blood sugar by decreasing the amount of blood sugar made in the liver and decreasing the amount of blood sugar absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract.

How can metformin impact long-COVID?

Although used for diabetes, there has been some research conducted to look at its effects on those with long-COVID. A recent long-COVID study showed that 6.2% of patients using metformin received a long-COVID diagnosis compared to 10.3% of patients not using metformin [1]. This study included pregnant and lactating patients and people between the ages of 30-85. The mechanism by which this occurs is multifold. It is thought metformin possesses anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic effects in addition to its impact on blood sugar. Additionally, it is theorized that metformin can assist in stopping part of the replication process of the COVID-19 virus, thus leading to its death inside the body [2].

Although current guidelines do not support metformin’s use in the treatment of long-COVID, further clinical studies may warrant its use for those suffering from symptoms of long-COVID.

References:

¹https://covid19.nih.gov/news-and-stories/can-diabetes-treatment-reduce-risk-long-covid

 ²https://www.covid19treatmentguidelines.nih.gov/therapies/miscellaneous-drugs/metformin/#:~:text=Metformin%20has%20been%20identified%20as,anti%2Dinflammatory%20and%20antithrombotic%20activities

Active Clinical Trials: Long COVID, metformin | Card Results | ClinicalTrials.gov