Diabetes Drug Metformin Shown to Prevent Long COVID

University of Minnesota researchers find metformin reduces risk of Long COVID by 40-60%

Mar. 3, 2026 at 2:15am

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A review by researchers at the University of Minnesota's Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) has found that the common diabetes drug metformin can significantly reduce the risk of developing Long COVID when taken during or shortly after an acute COVID-19 infection. The review, published in Clinical Infectious Diseases, analyzed multiple studies that showed metformin use lowered the chances of clinician-diagnosed Long COVID by around 40-60%.

Why it matters

Metformin is an inexpensive and widely available generic drug, making it a potentially accessible option to help prevent the debilitating long-term effects of COVID-19 for many patients. The findings could have important implications for managing the ongoing public health impacts of the pandemic, especially as new variants continue to emerge.

The details

The review, led by University of Minnesota researchers Carolyn T. Bramante, MD, MPH, and David R. Boulware, MD, MPH, examined several recent studies on metformin's effects during acute COVID-19 infection. The studies found a strong protective association between metformin use and a reduced risk of developing Long COVID, particularly in overweight or obese individuals. Metformin is not intended as a treatment for those already experiencing Long COVID symptoms, but rather as a preventative measure when taken early in the course of COVID-19 illness.

  • The review was published on March 1, 2026 in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases.

The players

University of Minnesota's Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP)

A global leader in addressing public health preparedness and emerging infectious disease response.

Carolyn T. Bramante, MD, MPH

University of Minnesota Medical School researcher and co-author of the review.

David R. Boulware, MD, MPH

University of Minnesota Medical School researcher and co-author of the review.

Ubonphan Chaichana, MSc

Researcher from London who led a study on metformin and Long COVID that was included in the review.

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What they’re saying

“None of the four studies that we wrote the editorial on were studying Long COVID treatment. They address preventing Long COVID.”

— Carolyn T. Bramante, University of Minnesota Medical School researcher

“The big news now is that this has been replicated in these additional studies.”

— Carolyn T. Bramante, University of Minnesota Medical School researcher

“This effect—that starting metformin during acute infection is safe and reduces the risk of developing Long COVID by about half—has been replicated in multiple studies. And these results are relevant to most people getting infected today.”

— Carolyn T. Bramante, University of Minnesota Medical School researcher

What’s next

Researchers suggest that metformin should be considered as part of outpatient management strategies aimed at preventing Long COVID, given its low cost, high safety profile, and compatibility with other antiviral therapies.

The takeaway

The finding that a common diabetes medication like metformin can substantially reduce the risk of developing Long COVID provides an important new tool in managing the ongoing public health impacts of the pandemic. As new COVID-19 variants continue to emerge, these results could have far-reaching implications for improving patient outcomes and reducing the burden of Long COVID.