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Mfn4.0

Metformin Research

Mostly mechanism / observational

1,004 peer-reviewed studies

What the evidence says

Mostly mechanism / observational

Most Metformin studies are mechanism or observational rather than RCTs that measure a clinical effect — keep findings provisional.

Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 1998–2026 with a typical study size of 365 participants.

Based on 1,004 studies · 371 meta-analyses · 577 RCTs · 260,155 total participants

Confidence

High confidence

By outcome

Glycemic & metabolicLowers blood glucose and HbA1c and improves insulin sensitivity — the established, proven effect · Weeks · Improves insulin sensitivity; the established first-line metabolic effect (longevity/geroprotection remains contested) · Weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational308 studies
Exercise interference
Mostly mechanism / observational27 studies
Safety profile
Mostly mechanism / observational21 studies
Aging & mortalityObservational/meta-analytic data suggest lower all-cause mortality and age-related disease in diabetics — confounded, not proven causal · Years
Mostly mechanism / observational13 studies

Active research area

596 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2026

199820122026

1Meta-Analysis2026

Szymczak-Pajor I, Drzewoski J, Wenclewska S, Rogalska A, Śliwińska A · Int J Mol Sci (2026)

Metformin Research

Mostly mechanism / observational

Do We Have Enough Evidence That Metformin Is Superior to Other Antidiabetic Drugs in Pancreatic Cancer Risk Reduction?

Comparison of pregnancy outcomes and physical conditions of infants in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus treated with metformin and insulin: a meta-analysis study.

Association of Metformin Use With Osteoarthritis Incidence, Progression, and Joint Arthroplasty Risk in the Knee and Hip: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Paternal use of metformin and risk of major congenital malformations: A meta-analysis of 4 studies.

Preventive and Therapeutic effects of Metformin in Cancer: A Meta- Analysis of RCT and Cohort Studies.

Impact of metformin use during pregnancy on fetal congenital malformations across 11 organ systems: a meta-analysis and drug-target Mendelian randomization study.

The impact of metformin use on survival outcomes in colorectal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Metformin safety during pregnancy in women with gestational diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis of maternal, neonatal and long-term outcomes.

Impact of metformin therapy on serum visfatin levels in polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and randomized permuted meta-analysis.

Comparative effects of acupuncture and metformin on insulin sensitivity in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Preconception and first-trimester metformin on pregnancy outcomes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Clinical outcomes in type 2 diabetes patients with chronic heart failure treated with metformin: a meta-analysis.

Enhancing the Efficacy of Metformin in Neoadjuvant Therapy for Breast Cancer: A Meta-Analysis Based on Randomized Clinical Trials.

Metformin: A Dual-Role Player in Cancer Treatment and Prevention: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Effect of metformin on the clinical outcomes of stroke in patients with diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Comparative efficacy and safety of Glucagon-like pepetide-1 receptor agonists with metformin in Asian versus non-Asian patients with type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Efficacy and safety of variable-dose metformin as adjunctive therapy to insulin in adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

The Optimal Dosage and Duration of Metformin for Prevention and Treatment of Antipsychotic-Induced Weight Gain: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Association of metformin use with risk and survival outcome of esophageal cancer in patients with diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Effect of metformin on incidence, recurrence, and mortality in prostate cancer patients: integrating evidence from real-world studies.