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    Metformin for longevity: what the research actually says

    Reviewed by the FaroRx clinical team · Updated September 2026

    The short answer

    Metformin is a decades-old diabetes medication that improves insulin sensitivity and activates AMPK, a cellular pathway linked to ageing. Observational data showed diabetics on metformin sometimes outliving non-diabetics, which is what started the longevity interest, but the definitive human trial (TAME) has not reported. It is a reasonable, inexpensive metabolic option — not a proven anti-ageing drug. FaroRx supplies metformin at $89 per quarter.

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    What is actually established

    • Metformin reliably improves insulin sensitivity and lowers fasting glucose.
    • It activates AMPK, a pathway associated with cellular stress resistance.
    • Observational studies suggest lower rates of some age-related conditions.
    • No completed randomised trial shows metformin extends human lifespan.

    Trade-offs worth knowing

    Metformin can blunt some of the gains from resistance training in older adults, and it lowers B12 over time, so many providers monitor B12 or supplement it. GI upset in the first weeks is common and usually settles with an extended-release form taken with food.

    The FaroRx safety note

    FaroRx medications are prescription-only. A licensed provider reviews your intake, medical history and medication list before anything is prescribed, and can decline if a treatment is not appropriate for you. Nothing here is medical advice.

    Treatments mentioned

    Metformin (Longevity)

    $89/quarter

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    Common questions

    Does metformin extend lifespan?

    Not proven in humans. Observational data is encouraging and the TAME trial is designed to answer it, but the evidence is not there yet.

    Can I take metformin without diabetes?

    A licensed provider can prescribe it off-label after reviewing your history and labs, where appropriate.

    How much does metformin cost at FaroRx?

    $89 per quarter for a 180-tablet supply, including provider review and shipping.

    Talk to a provider about metformin

    Complete a short online visit and a licensed provider will review whether treatment is right for you.

    Get started

    This guide is for information only and is not medical advice. Compounded medications are prepared by a licensed U.S. pharmacy and are not FDA-approved products.