Could metformin or colchicine ease long COVID? major trial launches
NCT ID NCT07280572
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
The RECLAIM trial is testing whether two inexpensive, widely available drugs—metformin (a diabetes medication) and colchicine (a gout medication)—can improve quality of life for people with long COVID. The study will enroll 1,250 adults in the Netherlands who have had persistent symptoms like fatigue for at least 12 weeks after a COVID infection. Participation is fully remote, with medication delivered to homes and follow-up via online questionnaires over 24 weeks.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- metformin and colchicine
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could point toward affordable, repurposed treatments to improve physical and mental health for people with long COVID.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-stage platform trial with open-label design (no placebo for some arms), so results may be biased. The drugs may not work for all long COVID symptoms, and side effects are possible.
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.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care University Medical Center Utrecht, Netherlands
Utrecht, Netherlands
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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