Metformin and Joint destruction - a phase IV clinical study of FDA data

Summary:

Joint destruction is reported as a side effect among people who take Metformin (metformin hydrochloride), especially for people who are female, 50-59 old, also take Humira, and have Rheumatoid arthritis.

The phase IV clinical study analyzes which people have Joint destruction when taking Metformin. It is created by eHealthMe based on reports of 453,860 people who have side effects when taking Metformin from the FDA, and is updated regularly.

What is Metformin?

Metformin has active ingredients of metformin hydrochloride. It is often used in diabetes. eHealthMe is studying from 465,354 Metformin users. Check the latest studies of Metformin.

What is Joint destruction?

Joint destruction (joint damage) is found to be associated with 137 drugs and 416 conditions by eHealthMe. Check the latest studies of Joint destruction.

On Jul, 10, 2026

453,860 people reported to have side effects when taking Metformin.
Among them, 19 people (0.0%) have Joint destruction.

Could Metformin cause Joint destruction?

Among these 19 people:

What is the gender of people who have Joint destruction when taking Metformin? *

female: 63.16 %
male: 36.84 %

What is the age of people who have Joint destruction when taking Metformin? *

What are other drugs people take besides Metformin? *

What are other side effects people have besides Joint destruction? *

Joint Pain: 12 people, 63.16%
Pain: 7 people, 36.84%
Fatigue (feeling of tiredness): 7 people, 36.84%
Sinusitis (inflammation of sinus): 6 people, 31.58%
Musculoskeletal Stiffness (stiffness of the body's muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments and nerves): 5 people, 26.32%
Blood Glucose Increased: 5 people, 26.32%
Dry Mouth: 5 people, 26.32%
Peripheral Swelling: 5 people, 26.32%
Feeling Abnormal: 5 people, 26.32%
Anaemia (lack of blood): 5 people, 26.32%

What are the existing conditions these people have? *

Rheumatoid Arthritis (a chronic progressive disease causing inflammation in the joints): 12 people, 63.16%
Depression: 5 people, 26.32%
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (a condition in which stomach contents leak backward from the stomach into the oesophagus): 2 people, 10.53%
High Blood Cholesterol: 2 people, 10.53%
High Blood Pressure: 2 people, 10.53%
Vasculitis (inflammation of a blood vessel or blood vessels): 1 person, 5.26%
Hypothyroidism (abnormally low activity of the thyroid gland, resulting in retardation of growth and mental development): 1 person, 5.26%
Asthma: 1 person, 5.26%
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (a progressive disease that makes it hard to breathe): 1 person, 5.26%
Fungal Infection: 1 person, 5.26%

* Approximation only. Some reports may have incomplete information.

Do you take Metformin and have Joint destruction?

- Check whether Joint destruction is associated with a drug or a condition
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Related studies:

Effectiveness of, long term effects of, and alternative drugs to Metformin:

Metformin (465,354 reports)

Browse all side effects of Metformin:

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Browse all the drugs that are associated with Joint destruction:

Joint destruction (137 drugs)

Browse all the conditions that are associated with Joint destruction:

Joint destruction (416 conditions)

Related publications that referenced our studies

T.Audi Yanto, I.Huang, F.Nathania Kosasih, NP Hardjo Lugito, "Nightmare and Abnormal Dreams: Rare Side Effects of Metformin?", Case Reports in Endocrinology, 2018 Jan .
Al-Hamdy RA, "Assessment of electrolytes and HbA1c in type 2 diabetic patients using metformin and evaluation of guidelines obedience regarding renal impairment", J.Thi-Qar Sci., 2015 Jan .
Wiwanitkit S, Wiwanitkit V, "Metformin and sleep disorders", Indian journal of endocrinology and metabolism, 2012 Jan .
T.Audi Yanto, I.Huang, F.Nathania Kosasih, NP Hardjo Lugito, "Nightmare and Abnormal Dreams: Rare Side Effects of Metformin?", Case Reports in Endocrinology, 2018 Jan .
Al-Hamdy RA, "Assessment of electrolytes and HbA1c in type 2 diabetic patients using metformin and evaluation of guidelines obedience regarding renal impairment", J.Thi-Qar Sci., 2015 Jan .
Wiwanitkit S, Wiwanitkit V, "Metformin and sleep disorders", Indian journal of endocrinology and metabolism, 2012 Jan .

How the study uses the data?

The study uses data from the FDA. It is based on metformin hydrochloride (the active ingredients of Metformin) and Metformin (the brand name). Other drugs that have the same active ingredients (e.g. generic drugs) are not considered. Dosage of drugs is not considered in the study.

How to use the study?

DO NOT STOP MEDICATIONS without first consulting your doctor. If there are any serious or long term adverse effects discovered in the study, discuss the study with your doctor to ensure that proper medication management will be in place if applicable.

Who is eHealthMe?

With medical big data and proven AI/ML algorithms, eHealthMe provides a platform for everyone to run phase IV clinical trials. We study millions of patients and 5,000 more each day. Results of our real-world drug study have been referenced on 800+ peer-reviewed medical publications, including The Lancet, Mayo Clinic Proceedings, and Nature. Our analysis results are available to researchers, health care professionals, patients (testimonials), and software developers (open API).

WARNING, DISCLAIMER, USE FOR PUBLICATION

WARNING: Please DO NOT STOP MEDICATIONS without first consulting a physician since doing so could be hazardous to your health.

DISCLAIMER: All material available on eHealthMe.com is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment provided by a qualified healthcare provider. All information is observation-only. Our phase IV clinical studies alone cannot establish cause-effect relationship. Different individuals may respond to medication in different ways. Every effort has been made to ensure that all information is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. The use of the eHealthMe site and its content is at your own risk.

If you use this eHealthMe study on publication, please acknowledge it with a citation: study title, URL, accessed date.