Comparison
EGCG vs Rapamycin
Side-by-side of EGCG and Rapamycin. Every row below is pulled from the compound schema and will update as our data grows. For deeper reads, follow through to each compound page.
EGCG
EGCG supplement guide: 300-600 mg/day green tea catechin for fat loss and cardiovascular markers. Hepatotoxicity risk above 800 mg/day fasted.
Rapamycin
Rapamycin for longevity: sirolimus, an mTOR inhibitor with ITP mouse lifespan data. Off-label geroprotective dosing remains investigational.
Effects at a glance
EGCG
- •Modest fat loss (~1.3 kg over 12 weeks) when combined with caffeine and caloric deficit
- •Small reductions in LDL cholesterol (3-6 mg/dL) and systolic blood pressure (2-3 mmHg)
- •EFSA flags hepatotoxicity risk above 800 mg/day, particularly when taken fasted
- •Bioavailability is 0.1-1.0%; gut microbiome variation drives population-variable response
- •Green tea extract typically combines EGCG with caffeine and L-theanine for additive effects
- •Reduces non-heme iron absorption when co-administered with meals
Rapamycin
- •Inhibits mTORC1 signaling by binding FKBP12, reducing protein synthesis and relieving autophagy suppression
- •ITP mouse program reproduced lifespan extension of ~10 to 25% across multiple genetic backgrounds and sexes
- •Mannick trials showed improved influenza vaccine response in elderly adults using analogs of rapamycin
- •PEARL human trial reported acceptable safety at 5 to 10 mg weekly with some functional and lean-mass signals
- •Common dose-limiting adverse effects include stomatitis, acne-like rash, and mildly elevated lipid markers
- •CYP3A4 substrate: grapefruit, ketoconazole, and clarithromycin substantially raise rapamycin exposure
Side-by-side
| Attribute | EGCG | Rapamycin |
|---|---|---|
| Category | natural | pharmaceutical |
| Also known as | epigallocatechin gallate, green tea extract | Sirolimus, Rapamune |
| Half-life (hr) ↗ | 3 | 62 |
| Typical dose (mg) ↗ | 400 | 6 |
| Dosing frequency | 1 to 2 times daily with food | weekly (longevity protocols); daily for transplant indication |
| Routes | oral | oral |
| Onset (hr) | 1.5 | 1 |
| Peak (hr) | 2 | 2 |
| Molecular weight | 458.37 | 914.17 |
| Molecular formula | C22H18O11 | C51H79NO13 |
| Mechanism | Inhibits catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) to prolong norepinephrine signaling; activates AMPK; scavenges reactive oxygen species via gallate ester; modulates gut microbiome and pancreatic lipase activity. | Binds FKBP12, and the resulting complex inhibits mTORC1, reducing protein synthesis and autophagy suppression downstream of nutrient and growth-factor signaling. |
| Legal status | Dietary supplement; warning labels required above 800 mg/day in some EU jurisdictions | Prescription only (off-label for longevity) |
| WADA status | allowed | allowed |
| DEA / Rx | Not scheduled | Rx only (not a controlled substance) |
| Pregnancy | Avoid high-dose extracts; moderate green tea consumption appears acceptable | Not recommended |
| CAS | 989-51-5 | 53123-88-9 |
| PubChem CID | 65064 | 5284616 |
| Wikidata | Q307091 | Q410174 |
Safety profile
EGCG
Common side effects
- nausea
- abdominal discomfort
- diarrhea
- jitteriness (with caffeine)
- sleep disruption (with caffeine)
Contraindications
- pregnancy at high-dose extracts
- active liver disease
- iron deficiency anemia (separate dosing)
Interactions
- iron supplements: reduces non-heme iron absorption; separate by 2 to 3 hours(moderate)
- anticoagulants: additive effects at high catechin doses(minor)
- beta-blockers (nadolol): reduced absorption when taken simultaneously(moderate)
- hepatotoxic supplements (high-dose niacin, kava): theoretical additive hepatotoxicity at high EGCG doses(moderate)
- stimulants and caffeine: additive thermogenic and cardiovascular effects(minor)
Rapamycin
Common side effects
- mouth ulcers (stomatitis)
- acne-like rash
- GI upset
- altered lipid panel
- delayed wound healing
Contraindications
- active infection
- severe hepatic impairment
- planned surgery (delayed wound healing)
- pregnancy
- live vaccines within dosing window
Interactions
- strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (ketoconazole, clarithromycin, grapefruit): substantially raises rapamycin levels, toxicity risk(major)
- strong CYP3A4 inducers (rifampin, St John's wort): lowers rapamycin levels, reduced effect(major)
- ACE inhibitors: increased risk of angioedema(moderate)
- live vaccines: reduced vaccine efficacy due to immunosuppression(major)
Which Should You Take?
EGCG comes out ahead for most readers on the criteria we weight: 3 catalogued goals, OTC dietary supplement, oral dosing, with a Tier-B outcome catalogued. Rapamycin is the right call when one of the conditionals below applies.
- → If your priority is metabolic health and glucose control, pick EGCG.
- → If your priority is cardiovascular health, pick EGCG.
- → If your priority is immune support, pick Rapamycin.
Edge case: If you want to avoid prescription-only, EGCG is the more accessible choice.
Default choice: EGCG. Lower friction to source, and broader goal coverage. Reach for Rapamycin only if your priority sits squarely in the goals it owns above.
This verdict is generated from each compound's schema (goals, legal status, evidence outcomes, dosing route). It updates automatically as our compound data evolves; the deeper read sits on each individual compound page.
Common questions
What is the difference between EGCG and Rapamycin?
EGCG and Rapamycin differ in category (natural vs pharmaceutical), mechanism, and typical dosing. See the side-by-side table for full details.
Which has a longer half-life, EGCG or Rapamycin?
EGCG half-life is 3 hours; Rapamycin half-life is 62 hours.
Can you stack EGCG with Rapamycin?
Stack compatibility depends on mechanism overlap, legal status, and individual response. Check each compound page for specific interactions and contraindications before combining.
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