Adults taking metformin to manage type 2 diabetes may have a reduced risk of developing long COVID or facing fatal outcomes after contracting COVID-19, according to a recent study. Published in Diabetes Care, the research analyzed health data from millions of Americans and highlights the potential role of metformin in long COVID prevention, beyond its primary use as a diabetes treatment.
Earlier clinical trials in 2023 revealed that metformin, a common medication used to regulate blood sugar, lowered the risk of long COVID by up to 40% in overweight or obese individuals, most of whom were not diabetic. Expanding on those findings, this latest study sought to determine if the drug offers similar benefits for people with diabetes. Researchers examined electronic health records from nearly 38 million Americans, focusing on 75,996 adults taking metformin for diabetes and comparing them to 13,336 individuals using alternative diabetes medications.
The study found that those on metformin had a 13% to 21% lower likelihood of developing long COVID or dying within six months of infection compared to those taking other diabetes drugs.
Although the exact mechanism behind metformin’s protective effects against long COVID remains unclear, scientists speculate that the drug’s ability to reduce inflammation, lower viral loads, and inhibit the production of disease-related proteins may play a role.
Despite its potential benefits, metformin can cause side effects and should only be used under medical supervision.
Long COVID, characterized by symptoms such as chronic fatigue, brain fog, and chest pain, can persist for weeks, months, or even years after initial infection. While the overall incidence of new COVID-19 cases has dropped since the height of the pandemic, millions worldwide continue to experience the lasting effects of the virus.
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