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How Long Should You Take Metformin?

How Long Should You Take Metformin?

If you have just started Metformin, or have been taking it for some time, you might be wondering “How long should I take Metformin for?” We’re here to provide the answer!

Every patient has different longevity, health/wellness, and personal goals. Whether you’re looking to address a specific goal, or want to prioritize your longevity, Metformin can provide both short and long-term benefits.

Short-Term Benefits: In the short term (a few days to weeks), patients report an improvement or lowering of blood sugar levels in the form of a lower glucose and lower HbA1c levels. This can be seen through blood tests measuring HbA1c levels before/after starting Metformin, or more conveniently, using a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM).

AgelessRx also offers biological age testing that you can use to see if Metformin is helping slow down your biological aging compared to your chronological aging. This test is typically done just before starting Metformin and again six to twelve months later.

Long-Term Benefits: To derive the biggest benefits from Metformin, studies indicate it should be taken over an extended period of time. Like most prescriptions, the full range of benefits are unlikely to manifest before a minimum of 90-days (3 months). It may take more or less time, depending on the individual.

After the 3-month mark, many patients report additional beneficial responses to Metformin, such as: less appetite, weight loss, more stable energy throughout the day, and better sleep.

Since Metformin works on a cellular level, there are also numerous benefits of taking Metformin that may not necessarily be “felt” in your everyday life. For example, you cannot necessarily feel decreased insulin levels, fatty acid uptake, or glucose uptake—but you may feel a reduction in chronic inflammation, better energy, and less tired after meals.

There is no known risk to remain on Metformin for an extended period of time (i.e. years). As world-renowned longevity and Metformin expert, Dr. Nir Barzilai, would say, “The only side effect is that you live longer.”

What Science Says: As one of the safest and cost-effective generic drugs, Metformin has been studied for many years for a variety of uses. As evidenced in various research studies and clinical trials, the long-term benefits of Metformin (i.e. taking the drug over a several year period) extend well beyond diabetes treatment and prevention.

Various research studies and clinical trials suggest Metformin can also:

  • Reduce overall cancer risk, including colon/pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, and several gastrointestinal cancers
  • Reduce cognitive impairment and risk of dementia
  • Reduce the risk of macrovascular disease
  • Aid weight loss
  • Increase fertility in women with PCOS

As the science and research suggests, those who take Metformin over time have a greater opportunity to combat age-related ailments and diseases, such as the ones listed above.

Still not convinced? Dr. Nir Barzilai, a world-renowned longevity and Metformin expert, highlights the many benefits of long-term Metformin use in at the 2016 TEDMED conference:

To learn more about how Metformin combats aging, click here.

Dr. Nir Barzilai is not affiliated with nor endorse AgelessRx.