A new clinical trial was recently published showing that Metformin, an inexpensive drug to treat Diabetes also prevents the development of long COVID-19 symptoms. In a long-term randomized control trial, Metformin taken for 2 weeks early in the development of SARS-CoV-2 prevents the development of symptoms of long COVID-19. This study was published in Lancet Infectious Diseases and given for 6 days in standard doses. They found a 40% reduction in risk in subjects receiving Metformin, compared to a control group receiving a placebo medication. The subjects had a median age of 45 years and included both men and women. The symptoms of long COVID-19 are wide ranging and can include chronic fatigue, “brain fog”, anxiety and stress. The subjects of this study were overweight or obese and so it is not known whether normal weight individuals will respond in the same way. Nevertheless, this is a very promising major study and if confirmed repeatedly, will be useful as a preventive measure. Metformin is a longstanding safe medication in the treatment of Diabetes and is readily available and inexpensive. https://www.bmj.com/content/381/bmj.p1306.long
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