Comparison
Metformin vs Selank
Side-by-side of Metformin and Selank. 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.
Metformin
Metformin for longevity: biguanide mechanism of action, TAME trial status, anti-aging dosage, weight loss data, life extension evidence in non-diabetics.
Selank
Selank peptide benefits: tuftsin analog heptapeptide, intranasal anxiolytic and nootropic. Russian clinical data, dosing, half-life, safety.
Effects at a glance
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
Selank
- •Synthetic heptapeptide analog of tuftsin developed in Russia in the 1990s
- •Approved in Russia for generalized anxiety disorder and asthenic conditions
- •Russian RCTs report anxiolytic effects comparable to medazepam without sedation or dependence
- •Modulates GABAergic and serotonergic signaling and BDNF expression in preclinical models
- •Most commonly administered intranasally; subcutaneous use is anecdotal
- •No Western-validated trials; not FDA approved; research-use-only outside Russia
Side-by-side
| Attribute | Metformin | Selank |
|---|---|---|
| Category | pharmaceutical | peptide |
| Also known as | Glucophage, Fortamet, Glumetza, dimethylbiguanide | TP-7, Tuftsin analog |
| Half-life (hr) ↗ | 6 | 0.5 |
| Typical dose (mg) ↗ | 1500 | 0.4 |
| Dosing frequency | 1 to 3 times daily with meals; XR once daily | 2-3x daily (intranasal) |
| Routes | oral | intranasal, subcutaneous |
| Onset (hr) | 1 | 0.25 |
| Peak (hr) | 2.5 | 1 |
| Molecular weight | 129.16 | 751.85 |
| Molecular formula | C4H11N5 | C33H57N11O9 |
| Mechanism | Suppresses hepatic gluconeogenesis primarily via AMPK activation and complex I inhibition; modestly improves peripheral insulin sensitivity and shifts gut microbiome composition. | Modulates GABAergic, serotonergic, and dopaminergic signaling. Increases BDNF expression in hippocampal neurons in preclinical models. Modulates enkephalin levels and immune cytokine signaling via tuftsin-like activity. |
| Legal status | Prescription only (FDA approved for type 2 diabetes 1994) | Approved as a prescription anxiolytic in Russia; not FDA approved; research-use-only grey market in most other jurisdictions |
| WADA status | allowed | unknown |
| DEA / Rx | Rx only (not a controlled substance) | Not FDA approved; not scheduled; research-chemical status outside Russia |
| Pregnancy | Category B; used in gestational diabetes and PCOS per current guidance | Not recommended; insufficient data |
| CAS | 657-24-9 | 129954-34-3 |
| PubChem CID | 4091 | 11765600 |
| Wikidata | Q19484 | Q4416793 |
Safety profile
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)
Selank
Common side effects
- mild nasal irritation (intranasal)
- transient drowsiness (uncommon)
- mild headache
Contraindications
- pregnancy
- lactation
- severe psychiatric disorder (insufficient data)
Interactions
- benzodiazepines: additive anxiolytic effect; potential for over-sedation when stacked(moderate)
- SSRIs: no documented adverse interaction; co-administration described in Russian protocols(minor)
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. Selank is the right call when one of the conditionals below applies.
- → If your priority is metabolic health and glucose control, pick Metformin.
- → If your priority is healthspan extension, pick Metformin.
- → If your priority is focus or working memory, pick Selank.
- → If your priority is anxiety reduction, pick Selank.
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 Selank 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 Metformin and Selank?
Metformin and Selank differ in category (pharmaceutical vs peptide), mechanism, and typical dosing. See the side-by-side table for full details.
Which has a longer half-life, Metformin or Selank?
Metformin half-life is 6 hours; Selank half-life is 0.5 hours.
Can you stack Metformin with Selank?
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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