Metformin’s Anti-Aging Benefits: Fact or Fiction?

Metformin is one of the most commonly prescribed medications for Type 2 diabetes. It’s effective, safe, and well-tolerated. But more recently, people have been looking at metformin as more than just a medication to treat diabetes.

Metformin has gotten renewed attention for its possible use as an “anti-aging” medication. Some have even referred to it as a “wonder drug.”

Could metformin become one of the first anti-aging medications? Or is this just another health fad?

What is metformin?

Metformin is a safe and effective medication used to help manage Type 2 diabetes. It comes from the French lilac, a plant used in Europe in the early 1900s as an herbal medicine to help manage blood sugar. Metformin has been FDA-approved to treat Type 2 diabetes since 1995.

Metformin is now one of the first-choice medications for Type 2 diabetes. It may also be used off-label to help lower someone’s risk for developing diabetes — for example, in people who have prediabetes or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

How does metformin work?

Metformin works by helping to stabilize and lower blood glucose (sugar) levels in the body. It does this a few different ways:

• It decreases the amount of glucose the liver produces.

• It decreases the amount of glucose the intestines absorb.

• It makes the body’s tissues more sensitive to insulin. This makes the cells better able to absorb and use glucose in the blood.

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Lowering blood glucose can have many health benefits. It can help keep someone’s weight in a healthy range, maintain a healthy blood pressure, and lower the risk of heart disease.

Can metformin slow aging or increase lifespan?

The research isn’t clear.

Based on early studies, researchers have asked whether metformin can slow aging, prevent age-related health conditions, and increase lifespan. This is based on research in which Metformin :

• Has been shown to decrease the risk of age-related diseases in people with diabetes, including cancer and heart disease

• Appears to improve metabolic markers in older adults including blood sugar, insulin levels, and DNA repair

• Lowers inflammation, which we know plays a role in the aging process

• Increases lifespan in mice

Scientists don’t yet understand how metformin might affect the aging process in humans. They think it may have to do with how it lowers blood sugar levels, improves insulin sensitivity, and impacts the mitochondria in cells. Metformin may also mimic calorie restriction. This means lowering the number of calories you consume while still getting all of the necessary nutrients. Calorie restriction is one known way to increase lifespan in animal models.

Metformin and brain function

There’s some observational evidence that suggests metformin may reduce the risk of stroke. But most of the available evidence shows it probably doesn’t. It might, however, help improve recovery after stroke.

The evidence is also mixed on whether or not metformin can protect the aging brain. This issue is difficult to tease out because metformin can cause vitamin B12 deficiency, and that deficiency can affect cognitive function. 

Is metformin being used off-label for anti-aging?

Metformin isn’t currently recommended or approved for any age-related health conditions. But it’s actively being studied for this purpose.

Most of metformin’s studies have been in animal models. But there’s currently a large clinical trial called the TAME trial (Targeting Aging with Metformin) that’s studying metformin’s anti-aging effects. The trial is looking at adults between the ages of 65 and 79 to see if people taking metformin have delayed onset of age-related conditions like heart disease, dementia, and cancer.

The TAME trial hasn’t started yet and will run for 6 years once it begins. So, it’ll be quite some time before we have results.

What are other benefits of metformin?

Metformin is currently only FDA-approved for Type 2 diabetes. But off-label uses are common. This means a clinician will prescribe metformin for other conditions even though the FDA hasn’t approved it for those conditions. Off-label uses of metformin include:

• Prediabetes

• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

• Gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy)

• Weight gain related to antipsychotic medications

Why is metformin referred to as a ‘miracle drug’?

Metformin has been referred to as a “miracle drug” because of some early findings in animal studies and small human studies showing that it may have some other benefits, including:

• Preventing cancer

• Slowing down the aging process

• Protecting the heart

It’s important to keep in mind that these types of research studies have significant limitations, and they aren’t conclusive. So, we can’t say the same results would be seen in the general population. Larger and higher-quality studies are needed to confirm these benefits.

Side effects and risks of metformin

Metformin is a prescription medication with risks and side effects. These side effects and warnings are linked to metformin as a treatment for diabetes. But it’s difficult to say for sure what side effects are possible in people without diabetes, since there’s less research in this population. It should only be taken after a full discussion with your healthcare professional to make sure it’s right for you.

Metformin’s common side effects include:

• Nausea or vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Gas or bloating

• Stomach pain

• Headache

Metformin has a boxed warning for a rare, yet life-threatening, condition called lactic acidosis. Using metformin long term can also lead to vitamin B12 deficiency and anemia. And metformin can interact with other medications including thyroid medications and certain diuretics or “water pills.”

When to talk with your doctor about metformin

If you have Type 2 diabetes or risk factors for developing diabetes, talk with your healthcare professional about metformin. It’s one of the most effective, safe, and commonly used medications for lowering blood sugar.

Metformin isn’t currently recommended for anti-aging benefits, and more research is needed. But it’s always a good idea to talk with your healthcare professional about what steps you can take to improve your health and age well. These steps may include exercising, eating a nutritious diet, and getting quality sleep.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Christina Palmer, MD

Christina Palmer, MD, is a board-certified family physician with a special interest in chronic care management, women’s health, mental health, and preventive care. She has over 10 years of experience in primary care research, innovation, and practice.

Edited by:

Sophie Vergnaud, MD

Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. An experienced and dedicated pulmonologist and hospitalist, she spent a decade practicing and teaching clinical medicine at academic hospitals throughout London before transitioning to a career in health education and health technology.

Reviewed by:

Mandy Armitage, MD

Mandy Armitage, MD, has combined her interests in clinical medicine with her passion for education and content development for many years. She served as medical director for the health technology companies HealthLoop (now Get Well) and Doximity.

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