Could a diabetes drug gel ease knee arthritis pain?

NCT ID NCT07395895

Not yet recruiting Symptom relief Sponsor: Badr University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether applying metformin gel through the skin with a mild electric current (iontophoresis) plus physical therapy can reduce pain and improve function in postmenopausal women with knee osteoarthritis. Sixty-eight women aged 50-70 will receive either the active gel or a placebo gel, alongside standard physical therapy. The trial is double-blind, meaning neither participants nor researchers know who gets the real treatment.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: metformin gel
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a new, non-invasive way to reduce pain and improve mobility in postmenopausal women with knee osteoarthritis.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage trial with only 68 participants. The treatment may not prove more effective than placebo, and results may not apply to men or younger women.

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.

osteoarthritis osteoarthritis, knee

As listed by the trial registrant

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

OSTEOARTHRITIS IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN

Contacts and locations

Locations

Badr University in Cairo

Cairo, 11829, Egypt

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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.