Adjuvant potential of metformin with standard anti-seizure medications in persons with active epilepsy: a randomised controlled trial.
Metformin, a diabetes drug, fails to boost standard anti-seizure meds in epilepsy. But it improves quality of life and metabolic health, offering hope for better epilepsy management.
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial examined the adjuvant potential of metformin in 60 adults with active epilepsy. While metformin did not significantly reduce seizure frequency or modulate mTOR expression compared to placebo, it improved quality of life and metabolic parameters like lipid profile and glycemic control. Notably, the metformin group experienced fewer adverse effects. The findings suggest metformin may have limited seizure-reducing effects but could benefit overall health in people with epilepsy. Further research with higher doses and longer durations is needed to fully evaluate metformin's role as an adjunct therapy.