Metformin is a generic prescription drug that’s used to treat type 2 diabetes. It may also have additional health benefits, such as helping with weight loss and slowing the aging process. However, more research is needed to confirm these benefits.

Metformin is a common diabetes drug. Researchers estimate that more than 200 million people worldwide use metformin by itself or with other medications to manage their diabetes.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved metformin to lower blood sugar in adults and certain children with type 2 diabetes. But this drug has other potential benefits, such as aiding weight loss or slowing the aging process.

More research is needed to confirm and better understand these potential benefits of metformin. This article covers what’s currently known.

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There’s some evidence that metformin may help with weight loss. The drug isn’t FDA approved for this purpose, but in some cases, doctors may prescribe it off-label to help with weight loss. (With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.)

Data from clinical trials suggests that metformin can lead to modest decreases in body mass index (BMI) in adults and in children and adolescents.

A 2021 study found that people with obesity who took metformin lost a similar amount of weight, regardless of whether they had type 2 diabetes. In this study, participants taking metformin lost a little more than 7% of their starting body weight after 12 months.

The way in which metformin leads to weight loss is unclear. Research seems to show that the drug has some effects on metabolism, appetite regulation, and the gut microbiome.

However, it’s important to note that metformin is meant to be used alongside a balanced diet and increased exercise, both of which could contribute to weight loss.

If you’re interested in taking metformin off-label for weight loss or want to learn about other treatment options, talk with your doctor.

It’s thought that metformin may have certain anti-aging benefits. For example, a 2021 review of research describes how several studies have observed that metformin improves the life span of worms and mice.

Metformin’s anti-aging effects may also improve health span, which is the amount of time you’re in good health. For example, a 2019 meta-analysis found that people with diabetes taking metformin had a reduced risk of death from any cause and lower rates of cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Metformin may also have some benefits related to skin aging. For example, some test-tube and animal studies have found that it protects against photoaging (damage to the skin from UV radiation) and enhances the recovery capabilities of stretched skin.

Metformin’s potential anti-aging effects may be due to certain mechanisms, including:

Researchers are still trying to learn more about metformin’s possible anti-aging effects. If you have questions about how metformin could help with anti-aging, talk with your doctor.

Another potential benefit of metformin is helping with fertility problems. Although this is not an FDA approved use of metformin, some doctors may prescribe it off-label to increase fertility.

Much of the research into metformin and fertility has been related to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS affects 1 in 10 females of reproductive age. It leads to hormonal imbalances and is a common cause of infertility.

One of the ways that metformin may boost fertility is by improving insulin sensitivity. But although there’s some evidence for metformin helping with fertility problems, other research is conflicting.

A 2020 meta-analysis included women with PCOS using in vitro fertilization (IVF). Researchers found no difference in pregnancy rate or live birth rate between those taking metformin versus a placebo. However, researchers noted that metformin increased the pregnancy rate and decreased the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in those who had overweight or obesity.

A 2022 meta-analysis that included certain females with PCOS and fertility challenges found that metformin was associated with a pregnancy rate slightly above that in females taking a placebo. The analysis also notes that pregnancy rates with metformin were comparable to clomiphene citrate, but the miscarriage rate was higher with metformin.

If you have other questions about using PCOS off-label to increase fertility, talk with your doctor.

In addition to the possible benefits discussed above, metformin may have other potential benefits.

Some research has found that people with type 2 diabetes who take metformin have a lower risk of dementia than those who don’t take it. Furthermore, other research has found that stopping metformin treatment increased the risk of dementia in people with type 2 diabetes.

A 2020 review of studies mentions that metformin may slow the growth and spread of certain cancers. These include cancers of the breast, endometrium, and pancreas, as well as several others.

The same review notes that metformin may also be beneficial for diseases affecting the kidneys and liver.

Again, more research is needed to better understand these potential benefits of metformin.

Metformin is a common drug used to help lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. In addition to this use, it’s possible that metformin has other health benefits.

Some of the potential benefits of metformin include aiding in weight loss, slowing aging, and boosting fertility in people with PCOS. It may also lower the risk of other diseases like dementia and cancer.

However, metformin is currently only FDA approved to treat type 2 diabetes. More research is needed before the other potential benefits of metformin can be confirmed.