Closing
Does metformin improve lipids versus placebo?
Mostly studied in type 2 & unspecified diabetes. Also asked against other treatments.
Not modeled yetTrial evidence exists, but no mechanistic model yetWithout a model there is no decisive experiment to propose. Help build it. →
Where the evidence stands
A coin flip. So far, the results disagree.
NoUnsureYes
- Belief
- 0.50 (range 0.00–0.55)
- Trials for
- 3
- Trials against
- 1
- Inconclusive
- 4
Already under way
- Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Metformin-Empagliflozin-Sitagliptin vs. Metformin-Empagliflozin-Linagliptin as Initial Triple Therapy in Type 2 Diabetes…NCT07452913 · enrolling by invitation · started 2026
- Efficacy of Metformin With Antidepressant Medication as Adjunct Therapy in Depression-obesity Ccomorbidity and Ssociation With NEGR1/RPL31P12 Variants Based on…NCT07654179 · recruiting · started 2026
- Effects of 14-Day Metformin Withdrawal on OGTT-Derived Insulin Sensitivity in Adults With Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled TrialNCT07659444 · recruiting · started 2026
- Study on the Effect of Metformin in Improving Cardiac Function After Implantation of Left Ventricular Assist DevicesNCT07666698 · not yet recruiting · started 2026
- Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of Hebenrun in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Controlled TrialNCT07768280 · not yet recruiting · started 2026
The evidence so far
- Registered trials
- 269
- With posted results
- 61
- Published papers
- 14
Of 62 decided analyses: 19 favor metformin, 34 find no difference, 9 favor the comparator.
Papers
- Efficacy and safety of gemigliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus inadequately controlled with combination treatment of metformin and sulphonylurea: a 24-week, multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (TROICA study).Trial report · 2017
- Differential response in levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to one-year metformin treatment in prediabetic patients by race/ethnicity.Trial report · 2015
- The effects of oral hypoglycaemic drugs on serum lipids and lipoproteins in non-insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM).Trial report · 1991
- [Metformin treatment of antipsychotic-induced dyslipidemia: analysis of two randomized, placebo-controlled trials].Trial report · 2019
- An investigation into the therapeutic effects of statins with metformin on polycystic ovary syndrome: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.Meta-analysis / systematic review · 2015
- Meta-analysis: metformin treatment in persons at risk for diabetes mellitus.Meta-analysis / systematic review · 2008
Trials
- A Randomized, Parallel Group, Double-blind, Multi-center Study Comparing the Efficacy and Safety of AVANDAMET and Metformin After 80 Weeks of Treatment.NCT00386100 · 5 posted results
- A Phase 3b, Double-Blind, Randomized Study to Determine the Efficacy and Safety of Pioglitazone HCl and Metformin HCl Fixed-Dose Combination Therapy Compared to Pioglitazone HCl Monotherapy and to Metformin HCl Monotherapy in the Treatment of Subjects With Type 2 DiabetesNCT00727857 · 63 posted results
- Modulation of Insulin Secretion and Insulin Sensitivity in Bangladeshi Type 2 Diabetic Subjects by an Insulin Sensitizer Pioglitazone and T2DM Association With PPARG Gene Polymorphism.NCT01589445 · 4 posted results
- Safety and Efficacy of Exenatide Once Weekly Injection Versus Metformin, Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitor, or Thiazolidinedione as Monotherapy in Drug-Naive Patients With Type 2 DiabetesNCT00676338 · 9 posted results
- Glycemic Control in Children and Adolescents With Double Diabetes: Trial of Optimized Insulin-Metformin RegimenNCT01334125 · 1 posted result
- A Phase IIa, Multicenter, Randomized, Placebo- and Active-Comparator Controlled, Cross-Over Clinical Trial to Study the Safety and Efficacy of MK-3577 in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Who Have Inadequate Glycemic ControlNCT00868790 · 4 posted results
- Effects of Metformin HCl in Combination With Colesevelam HCl, Compared to Metformin HCl Alone, as Initial Therapy in Drug naïve Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, and the Effects of Colesevelam HCl on the Lipid Profile in Subjects With Pre DiabetesNCT00570739 · 155 posted results
- Effectiveness of the Treatment With Dapagliflozin and Metformin Compared to Metformin Monotherapy for Weight Loss on Diabetic and Prediabetic Patients With Obesity Class IIINCT03968224 · 1 posted result