From the Guidelines
Currently, there are no FDA-approved medications specifically marketed as "anti-aging" drugs, but metformin, typically used for diabetes, shows promise in potentially extending lifespan by improving insulin sensitivity and reducing inflammation, as seen in studies such as 1. When considering medications that may have anti-aging effects, it's essential to prioritize those that have shown benefits in improving quality of life and reducing morbidity and mortality.
- Metformin, with its typical dose of 500-2000mg daily, is a potential candidate due to its effects on insulin sensitivity and inflammation, which are relevant to aging processes, as discussed in 1.
- Other compounds like NAD+ precursors (nicotinamide riboside and nicotinamide mononucleotide), typically taken at 250-500mg daily, may support cellular energy production but lack strong evidence for anti-aging effects in humans.
- Senolytics, such as the combination of dasatinib and quercetin, and drugs like acarbose and spermidine, have shown promise in animal studies but are still investigational and not proven for human anti-aging therapy. It's crucial to approach these interventions with caution, considering their potential side effects and drug interactions, and only under medical supervision, as highlighted by the need for careful management in older patients discussed in 1.
From the Research
Available Anti-Aging Medications
- Metformin: a widely prescribed oral hypoglycemic medication for type 2 diabetes that has been shown to retard aging in model organisms and reduce the incidence of aging-related diseases such as neurodegenerative disease and cancer in humans 2, 3, 4
- NAD+ precursors: have been shown to promote better organ function, increased physical resistance, disease resistance, and prolonged life expectancy 3, 4
- Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists: being tested in clinical trials for their potential to combat age-associated diseases 3
- TORC1 inhibitors: being tested in clinical trials for their potential to combat age-associated diseases 3
- Spermidine: being tested in clinical trials for its potential to combat age-associated diseases 3
- Senolytics: being tested in clinical trials for their potential to combat age-associated diseases 3
- Probiotics: being tested in clinical trials for their potential to combat age-associated diseases 3
- Anti-inflammatories: being tested in clinical trials for their potential to combat age-associated diseases 3
- Rapamycin: has been shown to have anti-aging effects in animal studies 4
- Resveratrol: has been shown to have anti-aging effects in animal studies and is being tested in clinical trials for its potential to combat age-associated diseases 4, 5
- Autophagy enhancers: have been shown to be promising approaches to sustain normal health during aging and postpone age-related neurodegenerative diseases 5
- Senolytic drugs: have been shown to be promising approaches to sustain normal health during aging and postpone age-related neurodegenerative diseases 5
- Antioxidants such as curcumin: have been shown to have promise for improving function in aging 5
- Hormone therapies such as estrogen and DHEA: have been discussed as potential anti-aging interventions, but their efficacy and safety are still uncertain 6