Peptain
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Metformin

Also sold as Glucophage.

Half-life
6 h
Steady state
~1 d
Class
Insulin sensitivity
Category
Other

Published population averages. Steady state is the usual five half-life rule of thumb, not a measurement. See peptide half-life, explained.

Overview

Metformin is a biguanide oral antidiabetic drug and the most-prescribed diabetes medication worldwide. Beyond glucose control, it has attracted enormous interest as a potential longevity drug due to observational data showing reduced cancer incidence and mortality in diabetic patients taking metformin. The TAME (Targeting Aging with Metformin) trial aims to test this formally.

How it works

Activates AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) by mildly inhibiting mitochondrial complex I, shifting cellular energy sensing toward a 'fasted' state. Reduces hepatic glucose production, increases insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissues, modulates gut microbiome composition, inhibits mTORC1 (longevity pathway overlap with rapamycin), and reduces inflammation via NF-κB inhibition. May also extend lifespan by reducing oxidative stress and advanced glycation end-products.

Half-life and peak

Oral half-life approximately 5–6 hours. Peak plasma concentration reached in 2.5 hours (immediate-release) or 7 hours (extended-release). Not metabolized — excreted unchanged renally. Typical dose: 500–2000 mg/day. Extended-release preferred for GI tolerability.

What it is studied for

T2DM first-line therapy, longevity and healthspan (TAME trial), cancer prevention, PCOS, AMPK activation, mTOR modulation, cardiovascular protection.

Research status

FDA-approved for T2DM (since 1994 in US). WHO Essential Medicine. TAME trial (Targeting Aging with Metformin) designed by Nir Barzilai to test longevity effects in non-diabetic elderly — landmark study in geroscience. Decades of safety data.

Sources

Educational reference only. This page describes what is published about a compound; it is not medical advice, not a recommendation to take anything, and not a dosing guide. Several compounds in this catalog are investigational and are not approved medicines. Talk to a doctor.