Nisha Pandey

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Common Diabetes Drug Metformin May Slash Long COVID Risk By More Than 50%

Common Diabetes Drug Metformin May Slash Long Covid Risk By More Than 50%

Metformin is the first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes in adults and children aged 10 years and above. The drug has also found applications in managing Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), formerly known as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). But a recent study says that it may have some potential use in a non-metabolic health condition: Long COVID.

Researchers found that people who were prescribed metformin shortly after testing positive for COVID-19 had a significantly lower risk of developing Long COVID than those prescribed other medications.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/its-the-best-studied-vaccine-in-human-history-former-cdc-adviser-busts-common-myths-about-covid-vaccines-article-156402480" data-type="tilCustomLink">'It’s The Best-Studied Vaccine In Human History': Former CDC Adviser Busts Common Myths About COVID Vaccines</a>

The study, titled Metformin at the Time of COVID-19 Infection and Risk of Long COVID: A Target Trial Emulation Study, was published in the Journal of Medical Virology recently.

Researchers have been exploring metformin's antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects, especially during the early stages of COVID-19 infection. They are specifically investigating if metformin could reduce the risk of <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/long-covid-doubles-heart-disease-risk-in-women-raises-it-by-a-third-in-men-finds-study-article-156416113" data-type="tilCustomLink">Long COVID</a> if taken soon after contracting the infection.

The researchers examined health records of more than 21 million people from the US National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C). They identified adults who had tested positive for COVID-19 between March 2020 and September 2023. They compared two groups:

Metformin group: People who received a new prescription for metformin within six days of their documented COVID-19 infection.

Comparison group: People who received prescriptions for other medications, including fluvoxamine, fluticasone, ivermectin or montelukast, during the same period.

The researchers excluded people who were already taking metformin or had conditions like diabetes, PCOS or gestational diabetes that could explain why they were prescribed the drug.

After statistical adjustments to make the groups more comparable, the researchers compared 248 people in each group. They then tracked the development of Long COVID or death over the following 180 days (six months).

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/can-low-dose-naltrexone-ease-long-covid-symptoms-new-study-examines-the-evidence-article-156412200" data-type="tilCustomLink">Can Low-Dose Naltrexone Ease Long COVID Symptoms? New Study Examines The Evidence</a>

<h2>Can Metformin Help Reduce The Risk Of Long COVID?</h2>

People who were prescribed metformin within six days of a COVID-19 infection had a 53% lower relative risk of Long COVID or death compared to those on other medications.

“Metformin prescription within the week following documented <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/japanese-study-on-778000-people-links-covid-19-to-higher-allergy-drug-use-article-156342565" data-type="tilCustomLink">SARS-CoV-2</a> infection was associated with a 53% reduction in LC/D [long COVID or death] over 6 months in this primarily Omicron-infected sample,” wrote the authors, led by researchers from the University of Minnesota Medical School.

The study found that the risk of Long COVID or death within six months was 4.0% in the metformin group as 10 out of 248 people developed symptoms.

In the comparison group, the number was 8.5% as 21 out of 248 people presented symptoms of Long COVID. Overall, the weighted chance of Long COVID or death in patients on metformin or control treatment within six days of diagnosis was 6.3%. The absolute difference between the two groups was 4.5 percentage points.

“These results are also consistent with a recent sequential target trial analysis in the United Kingdom that assessed metformin started within 90 days of infection, HR [hazard ratio] 0.36,” the authors wrote. “The replication of results in clinical trials is important for informing treatment guidelines.”

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Long COVID refers to symptoms that occur after a SARS-CoV-2 infection and cannot be explained by another diagnosis. 

Symptoms may include brain fog, fatigue, cognitive difficulties, breathlessness, sleep disturbances and problems with everyday activities. These symptoms may last for months or even years.

Research has also suggested that brain inflammation may persist even after the virus is no longer detectable.

Some people improve over time, while others experience prolonged illness that affects their ability to lead routine lives.

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Metformin is the first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes in adults and children aged 10 years and above. The drug has also found applications in managing Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), formerly known as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). But a recent study says that it may have some potential use in a non-metabolic health condition: Long COVID. Researchers found that people who were prescribed metformin shortly after testing positive for COVID-19 had a significantly lower risk of developing Long COVID than those prescribed other medications.How Was The Study Conducted?Also read: 'It’s The Best-Studied Vaccine In Human History': Former CDC Adviser Busts Common Myths About COVID VaccinesThe study, titled Metformin at the Time of COVID-19 Infection and Risk of Long COVID: A Target Trial Emulation Study, was published in the Journal of Medical Virology recently. Researchers have been exploring metformin's antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects, especially during the early stages of COVID-19 infection. They are specifically investigating if metformin could reduce the risk of Long COVID if taken soon after contracting the infection.The researchers examined health records of more than 21 million people from the US National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C). They identified adults who had tested positive for COVID-19 between March 2020 and September 2023. They compared two groups:Metformin group: People who received a new prescription for metformin within six days of their documented COVID-19 infection.Comparison group: People who received prescriptions for other medications, including fluvoxamine, fluticasone, ivermectin or montelukast, during the same period.The researchers excluded people who were already taking metformin or had conditions like diabetes, PCOS or gestational diabetes that could explain why they were prescribed the drug.After statistical adjustments to make the groups more comparable, the researchers compared 248 people in each group. They then tracked the development of Long COVID or death over the following 180 days (six months).Also read: Can Low-Dose Naltrexone Ease Long COVID Symptoms? New Study Examines The EvidenceCan Metformin Help Reduce The Risk Of Long COVID? People who were prescribed metformin within six days of a COVID-19 infection had a 53% lower relative risk of Long COVID or death compared to those on other medications.“Metformin prescription within the week following documented SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with a 53% reduction in LC/D [long COVID or death] over 6 months in this primarily Omicron-infected sample,” wrote the authors, led by researchers from the University of Minnesota Medical School. The study found that the risk of Long COVID or death within six months was 4.0% in the metformin group as 10 out of 248 people developed symptoms. In the comparison group, the number was 8.5% as 21 out of 248 people presented symptoms of Long COVID. Overall, the weighted chance of Long COVID or death in patients on metformin or control treatment within six days of diagnosis was 6.3%. The absolute difference between the two groups was 4.5 percentage points.“These results are also consistent with a recent sequential target trial analysis in the United Kingdom that assessed metformin started within 90 days of infection, HR [hazard ratio] 0.36,” the authors wrote. “The replication of results in clinical trials is important for informing treatment guidelines.”More About Long COVIDLong COVID refers to symptoms that occur after a SARS-CoV-2 infection and cannot be explained by another diagnosis. Symptoms may include brain fog, fatigue, cognitive difficulties, breathlessness, sleep disturbances and problems with everyday activities. These symptoms may last for months or even years.Research has also suggested that brain inflammation may persist even after the virus is no longer detectable.Some people improve over time, while others experience prolonged illness that affects their ability to lead routine lives.

common diabetes drug metformin may slash long covid risk by more than 50%

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