Rapamycin

prescription drug — reference entry, not a supplement

A prescription immunosuppressant and the most robust lifespan-extending intervention in mammals to date. Included as a reference point: this is what strong animal longevity evidence actually looks like — and it still isn't a supplement.

last reviewed 2026-08-30

by draft — unverified

GRADE

CLAIM

SPECIES

EFFECT

STUDIES

lifespan extension — grade D, large effect (rodent)

Harrison et al. (NIA ITP) (2009)

species rodentdesign multi-site controlled lifespan studyn 1901duration from 20 months of age to deathdose 14 ppm in feedfunding publicoutcome lifespan in genetically heterogeneous mice

9–14% median lifespan extension, started late in life, replicated across three sites and many follow-ups. The best animal longevity result there is — and still grade D, because no human lifespan data exists or is likely soon.

improved vaccine response in older adults (low-dose mTOR inhibition) — grade C, small effect (human-rct)

Mannick et al. (2014)

species humandesign RCT, double-blind (everolimus)n 218duration 6 weeksdose 0.5 mg/day – 5 mg/week everolimusfunding industryregistry NCT01190800outcome influenza vaccine antibody titers

~20% better vaccine response at low doses — the closest thing to a human "aging" endpoint for this pathway, using a related drug.

Grade timeline

No grade movement since first review.

Dosing & safety

TYPICAL SUPPLEMENT DOSEnot applicable — prescription only

DOSES USED IN STUDIESlongevity dosing in humans is experimental (off-label, typically weekly)

UPPER LIMITnot applicable

SAFETY NOTE An immunosuppressant with real side effects (infections, metabolic changes, impaired wound healing). Off-label longevity use is self-experimentation under medical supervision, not supplementation.

COST SNAPSHOT

No product records for this compound yet.

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