Comparison
Epitalon vs Metformin
Side-by-side of Epitalon and Metformin. 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.
Epitalon
Epitalon peptide (Epithalon, tetrapeptide AEDG): telomerase activation, lifespan extension data, anti-aging trials, dosage, half-life, and safety.
Metformin
Metformin for longevity: biguanide mechanism of action, TAME trial status, anti-aging dosage, weight loss data, life extension evidence in non-diabetics.
Effects at a glance
Epitalon
- •Synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) developed at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation
- •Russian clinical literature reports mortality reduction in elderly cohorts and improved melatonin output
- •Reported telomerase activation in human somatic cell culture and lifespan extension in mice and Drosophila
- •Independent Western replication is essentially absent; no FDA-standard RCTs
- •Anecdotal protocols use 5 to 10 mg subcutaneously daily for 10 to 20 day cycles, 2 to 4 times yearly
- •Not currently on the WADA Prohibited List
Metformin
- •Reduces HbA1c by ~1.0 to 1.5 percentage points in type 2 diabetes; first-line agent in major guidelines
- •DPP trial: 31% reduction in T2DM incidence in adults with prediabetes over 2.8 years
- •Suppresses hepatic gluconeogenesis via AMPK activation and complex I inhibition
- •Long-term use depletes B12; annual monitoring recommended after year 2
- •Lifespan extension in non-diabetic humans is not established; TAME trial pending
- •MASTERS trial reported blunted resistance-training hypertrophy in older adults
Side-by-side
| Attribute | Epitalon | Metformin |
|---|---|---|
| Category | peptide | pharmaceutical |
| Also known as | Epithalon, Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly, AEDG, Epithalamin (precursor extract) | Glucophage, Fortamet, Glumetza, dimethylbiguanide |
| Half-life (hr) ↗ | 0.5 | 6 |
| Typical dose (mg) ↗ | 5 | 1500 |
| Dosing frequency | daily during cycle | 1 to 3 times daily with meals; XR once daily |
| Routes | subcutaneous, intramuscular, intranasal | oral |
| Onset (hr) | 24 | 1 |
| Peak (hr) | 168 | 2.5 |
| Molecular weight | 390.35 | 129.16 |
| Molecular formula | C14H22N4O9 | C4H11N5 |
| Mechanism | Synthetic tetrapeptide proposed to interact directly with DNA and chromatin to modulate tissue-specific gene expression. Reported effects include telomerase activation, increased melatonin output from pineal cells, and circadian normalization. | Suppresses hepatic gluconeogenesis primarily via AMPK activation and complex I inhibition; modestly improves peripheral insulin sensitivity and shifts gut microbiome composition. |
| Legal status | Not FDA approved; registered in Russia under domestic pharmaceutical framework; research-use-only grey market in US/EU | Prescription only (FDA approved for type 2 diabetes 1994) |
| WADA status | unknown | allowed |
| DEA / Rx | Not scheduled (research chemical) | Rx only (not a controlled substance) |
| Pregnancy | Insufficient data; not recommended | Category B; used in gestational diabetes and PCOS per current guidance |
| CAS | 307297-39-8 | 657-24-9 |
| PubChem CID | 219042 | 4091 |
| Wikidata | Q5384126 | Q19484 |
Safety profile
Epitalon
Common side effects
- injection-site reactions
- occasional mild headache (rare)
Contraindications
- pregnancy
- lactation
- active malignancy (theoretical telomerase concern)
- concurrent immunosuppression
Interactions
- melatonin: potential additive effect on circadian and pineal output; no controlled data(minor)
Metformin
Common side effects
- nausea
- diarrhea
- abdominal discomfort
- metallic taste
- decreased appetite
- B12 depletion (long-term)
Contraindications
- eGFR below 30 mL/min/1.73m2
- acute or chronic metabolic acidosis
- severe hepatic impairment
- acute heart failure
- iodinated contrast within 48 hours
Interactions
- iodinated contrast media: renal injury risk; hold 48 hours peri-imaging(major)
- alcohol (heavy use): elevated lactic acidosis risk(major)
- cimetidine: raises metformin plasma levels via OCT2 inhibition(moderate)
- insulin and sulfonylureas: additive hypoglycemia risk in combination(moderate)
- dolutegravir: raises metformin exposure via OCT2(moderate)
Which Should You Take?
Metformin comes out ahead for most readers on the criteria we weight: 2 catalogued goals, prescription-only, oral dosing, with a Tier-A outcome catalogued. Epitalon is the right call when one of the conditionals below applies.
- → If your priority is sleep onset or sleep quality, pick Epitalon.
- → If your priority is circadian regulation, pick Epitalon.
- → If your priority is metabolic health and glucose control, pick Metformin.
Edge case: If you cannot self-administer injections, Metformin is the only oral option in this pair.
Default choice: Metformin. Wider use case, a Tier-A evidence outcome catalogued, and broader goal coverage. Reach for Epitalon 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 Epitalon and Metformin?
Epitalon and Metformin differ in category (peptide vs pharmaceutical), mechanism, and typical dosing. See the side-by-side table for full details.
Which has a longer half-life, Epitalon or Metformin?
Epitalon half-life is 0.5 hours; Metformin half-life is 6 hours.
Can you stack Epitalon with Metformin?
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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