Diabetes drug metformin tested to boost walking in artery disease patients

NCT ID NCT03054519

Completed Disease control Sponsor: Northwestern University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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.

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.

peripheral arterial disease

As listed by the trial registrant

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

PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE

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

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