Diabetes drug metformin tested to boost walking in artery disease patients

NCT ID NCT03054519

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether taking metformin daily for six months can improve how far people with peripheral artery disease can walk in six minutes. 203 participants were randomly assigned to receive metformin or a placebo. The goal was to see if this common diabetes drug could ease leg pain and improve mobility.

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, this could offer a simple, cheap way to help people with peripheral artery disease walk farther and feel better.

What could go wrong

This is a completed Phase 3 trial, but metformin is already used for diabetes; its benefit for PAD may be modest or not clinically meaningful.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

peripheral arterial disease

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Northwestern University

    Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States

  • Ochsner Medical Center

    New Orleans, Louisiana, 70121, United States

  • Tulane University

    New Orleans, Louisiana, 70112, United States

  • University of Chicago

    Chicago, Illinois, 60637, United States

  • University of Florida

    Gainesville, Florida, 32610, United States