Comparison
Metformin vs TUDCA
Side-by-side of Metformin and TUDCA. 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.
TUDCA
TUDCA is the taurine-conjugated form of ursodeoxycholic acid, a bile-acid molecule with replicated effects on liver function, ER stress, and bile flow.
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
TUDCA
- •Bile-acid molecule (taurine-conjugated UDCA) with chemical chaperone activity at the endoplasmic reticulum
- •Established pharmaceutical use for cholestasis and primary biliary cholangitis at 500-750 mg/day
- •Reduces ER stress and stabilizes misfolded proteins; the mechanistic basis for emerging ALS / retinal applications
- •Modest improvements in NAFLD markers and insulin sensitivity at 500-1,750 mg/day in small trials
- •Mitochondrial protection signal in animal models drives the longevity-supplement positioning
- •Generally well-tolerated; mild GI effects are the main dose-dependent issue
Side-by-side
| Attribute | Metformin | TUDCA |
|---|---|---|
| Category | pharmaceutical | supplement |
| Also known as | Glucophage, Fortamet, Glumetza, dimethylbiguanide | tauroursodeoxycholic acid, taurine-conjugated UDCA |
| Half-life (hr) ↗ | 6 | 4 |
| Typical dose (mg) ↗ | 1500 | 500 |
| Dosing frequency | 1 to 3 times daily with meals; XR once daily | daily, divided into 2 doses with food |
| Routes | oral | oral |
| Onset (hr) | 1 | 1 |
| Peak (hr) | 2.5 | 2 |
| Molecular weight | 129.16 | 499.7 |
| Molecular formula | C4H11N5 | C26H45NO6S |
| Mechanism | Suppresses hepatic gluconeogenesis primarily via AMPK activation and complex I inhibition; modestly improves peripheral insulin sensitivity and shifts gut microbiome composition. | Bile-acid signaling via FXR/TGR5 receptors; chemical chaperone reducing ER stress and unfolded protein response; mitochondrial protection through reduced outer-membrane permeabilization. |
| Legal status | Prescription only (FDA approved for type 2 diabetes 1994) | OTC dietary supplement (US); pharmaceutical in Italy and several Asian countries |
| WADA status | allowed | allowed |
| DEA / Rx | Rx only (not a controlled substance) | OTC supplement |
| Pregnancy | Category B; used in gestational diabetes and PCOS per current guidance | Insufficient data for supplement use; UDCA used in cholestasis of pregnancy |
| CAS | 657-24-9 | 14605-22-2 |
| PubChem CID | 4091 | 9848818 |
| Wikidata | Q19484 | Q418751 |
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)
TUDCA
Common side effects
- mild GI upset
- diarrhea (dose-dependent)
- constipation (rare)
- nausea
Contraindications
- complete biliary obstruction
- pregnancy / lactation (insufficient supplement-dose data)
- active GI disease without medical supervision
Interactions
- cyclosporine, oral contraceptives, fat-soluble vitamins: modest absorption changes via altered bile-acid pool(minor)
- phenylbutyrate: synergistic for ALS use (Relyvrio combination); consult clinician(moderate)
Which Should You Take?
TUDCA comes out ahead for most readers on the criteria we weight: 3 catalogued goals, OTC dietary supplement, oral dosing, with a Tier-A outcome catalogued. Metformin 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 liver function, pick TUDCA.
- → If your priority is mitochondrial function, pick TUDCA.
Edge case: If you want to avoid prescription-only, TUDCA is the more accessible choice.
Default choice: TUDCA. Lower friction to source, a Tier-A evidence outcome catalogued, and broader goal coverage. Reach for Metformin 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 TUDCA?
Metformin and TUDCA differ in category (pharmaceutical vs supplement), mechanism, and typical dosing. See the side-by-side table for full details.
Which has a longer half-life, Metformin or TUDCA?
Metformin half-life is 6 hours; TUDCA half-life is 4 hours.
Can you stack Metformin with TUDCA?
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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