US researchers have found that metformin could reduce the risk of developing long-lasting Covid

 According to a recent study published in the BMJ

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, metformin, a drug used to treat type 2 diabetes, could reduce the risk of developing long-lasting Covid by 40% within 10 months of infection. The study was a randomized controlled trial that gave a two-week course of metformin to people who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 within three days of testing. The trial found that those who took metformin had 40% fewer long Covid diagnoses over the following 10 months compared to people who took a placebo. The study suggests that metformin, a cheap, safe, and widely available diabetes drug, could reduce the incidence of long Covid if given during the acute phase of Covid-19.The mechanism of action by which metformin might reduce the incidence of long Covid remains unclear. However, previous studies have found that metformin stops the SARS-CoV-2 virus from replicating in the lab, which is consistent with predictions from mathematical modeling of viral replication. The study also found that metformin substantially decreased the risk of being diagnosed with long Covid if taken when first infected with the coronavirus.It is important to note that metformin is generally the first medicine prescribed for type 2 diabetes

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. Metformin has several benefits in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, including decreased hyperinsulinemia, weight reduction, augmented fibrinolysis, and others

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. However, metformin has some side effects, such as gastrointestinal problems, vitamin B12 deficiency, and lactic acidosis, which can be serious in rare cases

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.It is always important to consult with a healthcare provider before taking any medication, including metformin.

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bmj

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mayoclinic

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nih

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mayoclinic