Could a common diabetes drug ease fibromyalgia pain?

NCT ID NCT05900466

Symptom relief Sponsor: University of Utah Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This study tests whether low-dose metformin, a common diabetes drug, can improve symptoms of fibromyalgia by reducing inflammation in the nervous system. 72 adults with fibromyalgia will take metformin or a placebo daily for 8 weeks. Researchers will measure changes in pain, fatigue, and overall impact on daily life.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Metformin (low-dose extended-release tablets)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a new, affordable treatment option for fibromyalgia symptoms.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage proof-of-concept trial. Metformin is not proven for fibromyalgia yet, and results may not apply to everyone.

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

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Phase 2

Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.

Participants

About 72 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

Apr 2023

Expected to finish

Mar 2027

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 to 75 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * To be able to follow the protocol in English * Fibromyalgia Syndrome: Participant must meet the American College of Rheumatology 2016 revised classification criteria for Fibromyalgia * Ability to take oral medication and be willing to adhere to the metformin regimen (once daily) Exclusion Criteria: * Co-occurring progressive disease (self-report, physician-diagnosed) * Diabetes * Pregnancy or planning to be pregnant in the next year (all premenopausal participants will be tested) * Having known cardiovascular, liver, kidney or pulmonary diseases (self-report, physician-diagnosed) * Having known serious psychopathology (Clinician diagnoses of psychosis, organic mental disorder, or dissociative disorder, self-reported active suicidal intent, self-reported history of inpatient admission to a psychiatric ward in the past year, evidence or self-report of self-injurious behaviors in the past year, reported current or recent history (2years) of non-IV substance abuse, any history of recreational IV drug use) * Having autoimmune disorder (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis) (self-report, physician-diagnosed) * Having neuropathic pain (self-report, physician-diagnosed) * Having pain associated with a terminal illness, acute pain, pain associated with specific organ damage (eg, stomach ulcer) (self-report, physician-diagnosed) * Concurrent use of weight controlling medications (eg, Xenical) * Requiring an interpreter to communicate * Abnormal levels of creatinine, vitamin B12, or hepatic function panel * eGFR of below 45mL/min/1.73m2

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

fibromyalgia

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Fibromyalgia syndrome

How to take part

Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.

The places running it

1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
The official record

ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.

Open the record ↗
A doctor treating you

A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.

Could a common diabetes drug ease fibromyalgia pain?

What the study statuses mean