A common diabetes drug, metformin, may hold the key to preventing long COVID, according to new research.
Persistent fatigue, brain fog, and unexplained shortness of breath can plague individuals months after a COVID-19 infection, symptoms characteristic of long COVID. This chronic condition affects approximately 4% of the French population—over 2 million people—and currently lacks a definitive cure. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms, often leaving patients feeling discouraged. However, a long-standing medication could potentially prevent the development of this lingering illness.
Researchers investigated whether initiating treatment in the early stages of infection could ward off long-term effects. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted, and participants were monitored for the emergence of long COVID through medical records. The study included a diverse group: vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, those with overweight, and even pregnant or breastfeeding women. Results indicated a substantial reduction in viral load among those receiving the drug—a 93% decrease compared to a 78% reduction in the placebo group. The virus became undetectable in an average of 3.3 days with the drug, versus 5.6 days with the placebo.
The study revealed that taking the medication reduced the risk of long-term COVID by 41%. This benefit was even more pronounced—reaching 63%—in patients who began treatment within the first three days of symptom onset. Scientists attribute this effectiveness to the medicine’s “host-targeting immunometabolic actions.” How does this drug combat the SARS-CoV-2 virus? Through its antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, accelerating viral elimination. The medication is metformin, a widely used oral antidiabetic drug.
Metformin is a well-established antidiabetic medication used to manage type 2 diabetes. Its primary function is to lower blood sugar levels by decreasing glucose production in the liver and enhancing the body’s sensitivity to insulin. This generic medication is available by prescription only, costing less than 3 euros for a box of 30 tablets in pharmacies and is covered by health insurance at a rate of 65%, according to the Public Drug Database. “Initiating treatment with metformin from the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection is safe and reduces the risk of developing long-term Covid,” the authors stated in the journal “Clinical Infectious Diseases”.
Metformin is generally well-tolerated during short-term use and “does not require supervision.” Importantly, it does not interact with current COVID-19 treatments. While France currently lacks specific guidelines regarding metformin prescription for COVID-19 infection, the study authors advocate for its inclusion in standard care protocols.
