Could a common diabetes drug ease a type of heart failure?

NCT ID NCT03629340

Completed Disease control Sponsor: University of California, San Francisco Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 29, 2026 · Last updated Jun 30, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This phase 2 trial investigates whether metformin, a standard diabetes medication, can improve lung blood pressure and exercise ability in people with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and pulmonary hypertension. Participants take metformin or a placebo for 12 weeks. The study measures changes in pulmonary artery pressure during exercise to see if metformin offers a benefit.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: metformin
What this could lead to: If it works, metformin could become a new, affordable treatment option for people with pulmonary hypertension related to heart failure.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase trial, so results may not apply to everyone. Metformin can cause gastrointestinal side effects, and the drug may not improve outcomes.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

heart failure pulmonary hypertension

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

HEART FAILURE PULMONARY HYPERTENSION

Contacts and locations

Locations

UCSF Medical Center

San Francisco, California, 94143, United States
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213, United States

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