Taking metformin for type 2 diabetes does not increase a patient’s COVID-19 risk
Taking metformin for type 2 diabetes is not associated with a greater risk of COVID-19 or COVID-19 mortality, according to new findings published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.
Metformin is often prescribed as a first-line therapy for type 2 diabetes and has been linked to beneficial outcomes for a number of other health issues. Considering how many patients are on metformin, the authors wrote, there is “an urgent need” to clarify its potential impact as the pandemic continues to claim lives all over the world.
The research team examined a massive dataset of type 2 diabetes patients from the U.K. The cohort included more than 29,000 patients actively taking metformin and other glucose-lowering agents as well as more than 10,000 patients on glucose-lowering agents, but not metformin.
Overall, the team found no connection between taking metformin for type 2 diabetes and the risk of COVID-19, COVID-19 mortality or all-cause mortality.
“Our findings show that metformin did not significantly influence susceptibility to COVID-19, nor mortality from it among people with type 2 diabetes in the U.K. primary care setting,” wrote lead author Jingya Wang, PhD, of the University of Birmingham in the U.K., and colleagues. “This is important, as a majority of patients with type 2 diabetes are prescribed metformin. For many patients, metformin is crucial to optimizing glycemic control and weight management, and it has a long-established efficacy and safety profile. Our data, in conjunction with those from hospitalized patients, demonstrate that patients who are prescribed long-term metformin and are currently well can be reassured that it is safe to continue consumption.”
Read the full study here.
Note: Anyone presently taking metformin should be aware of the numerous voluntary recalls of extended-release metformin due to contamination. Click here for the latest.
Michael has more than 18 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.