6 Common Medications That Might Extend Lifespan (According to Research)
From everyday prescriptions to the frontier of longevity 🧬
We’ve always thought of aging as something we just endure—wrinkles, creaky joints, and “Back in my day…” stories included. But what if I told you that some medications you already know might slow that march into our silver years—maybe even push the finish line further out? I think the idea feels a little sci-fi, but the evidence is mounting. This isn’t about guaranteed immortality (sorry, no Elixir of Life here). It’s about real drugs, real human trials, and real hope for longer life + healthier life (healthspan, anyone?).
In the sections that follow, we’ll walk through six common medications that researchers are investigating for their lifespan-extension potential. I’ll lay out how they work, what the research says so far (and where it’s weak), and why you should care—especially if you’re someone who cares about living better not just longer. (That includes you, since you run marathons and build SaaS platforms. You’re busy—and you deserve more runway.)
1. Rapamycin (also called “rapalog”)
This is the poster-child for longevity drugs. Initially an immunosuppressant, rapamycin inhibits the mTOR pathway—a key cellular “growth and repair” sensor that also seems tied to aging.
Why it matters:
A meta-analysis found rapamycin extends lifespan in animals (mice, etc.) to a degree similar to calorie restriction.
One latest study shows the combination of rapamycin + another drug (Trametinib) yields additive lifespan gains in mice.
Caveats and the fine print:
Most research is animal-based. Human longevity benefit? Not yet proven.
Side-effects: immune suppression, risk of infection, elevated lipids. People must weigh risk vs gain.
Not something you should self-prescribe for “live longer” without medical supervision.
Quick take: Fascinating, promising—but still early for humans. If you’re into longevity tech-startup territory, rapamycin is a headline.
2. Metformin
A staple drug for type-2 diabetes. But over the past few years, it has been bumped into the longevity conversation because of its effect on key aging pathways (AMPK, mTOR, mitochondrial function).
Why it matters:
A 2025 review notes that metformin modulates mitochondrial energy, autophagy, inflammation and epigenetic aging—all contributing to “cellular youth”.
Human observational data suggests older diabetic patients on metformin live longer than expected compared to other drugs.
Caveats:
Again—association ≠ proof. Trials in healthy (non-diabetic) people are still lacking.
Dose, timing, and whether the benefit applies to non-diabetics are open questions.
Not a magic pill: lifestyle still counts.
Quick take: One of the most accessible candidates in the “drugs that might slow aging” category. Worth watching closely.
3. Statins (cholesterol-lowering drugs)
These might not scream “anti-aging drug” to you—but hear me out. Since cardiovascular disease is a major cause of death (and age-related), anything that significantly reduces that risk can contribute to lifespan gains.
Why it matters:
A modelling study found people aged 70+ who take statins live longer in good health than those who don’t, even without known heart disease.
Some analyses suggest drops in LDL cholesterol might add years of life (the caveat: for higher-risk individuals).
Caveats:
The “life extension” is mostly by preventing cardiovascular death—not by directly altering the biology of aging.
Benefit varies a lot by individual risk profile; not one-size-fits-all.
Side-effects exist (muscle pain, possible diabetes risk).
Quick take: If you’re at risk of heart disease, statins may be part of “live longer” strategy—but they aren’t explicitly marketed as “longevity” drugs.
4. GLP‑1 receptor agonists (e.g., semaglutide)
These are newer players—primarily for diabetes and weight-management—but the emerging data suggests a possible effect on lifespan and major disease reduction.
Why it matters:
A 2025 retrospective cohort found GLP-1 agonists were linked to lower risks of dementia, cardiometabolic disorders, and other conditions.
Media reports estimate these drugs could reduce all-cause mortality by ~6.4% in the US by 2045 via broad use.
Caveats:
Most data is still observational or modelling—no large trial yet showing “you live X years longer because of a GLP-1”.
These medications have cost/side-effect considerations and are often prescription-only for specific conditions.
Weight loss and metabolic improvement may be the mediators, not a direct “aging clock” effect.
Quick take: A hot emerging angle. If you’re already using or considering GLP-1s for metabolic health, the potential upside is interesting—but don’t oversell it.
5. Selegiline (aka deprenyl)
This one’s a wildcard and less “common” than the others—but it has an interesting track record in longevity research (in animals).
Why it matters:
Animal studies suggest selegiline may prolong lifespan by up to 35% in some rodent models.
It has been explored as a neuro-protective and “brain-aging” delaying agent.
Caveats:
Human evidence is weak or conflicting: in Parkinson’s disease populations it hasn’t shown clear mortality benefit.
The longevity claims are still speculative for humans.
As always: side-effects + off-label uses = caution zone.
Quick take: Fun to know about for longevity enthusiasts—but not ready for mainstream “take this to live longer” use.
6. Lonafarnib
Yes, this one is more niche—but relevant to the lifespan discussion because it treats a progeroid (premature aging) syndrome. It highlights how targeting aging mechanisms might matter.
Why it matters:
Used in children with Hutchinson‑Gilford Progeria Syndrome, a condition of accelerated aging, and improves survival in that group.
Shows how drugs that target “aging” mechanisms might one day be applied more broadly.
Caveats:
This drug is not approved or studied for ordinary aging in healthy adults.
Its relevance for everyday lifespan extension is theoretical at this point.
Quick take: More of a proof-of-concept than a practical “here’s what you can take tomorrow” choice—but still part of the broader story of aging-targeted medicine.
Why this matters to you
You’re training for a marathon, building SaaS, living a fast-paced entrepreneurial life, and frankly, you want more quality years—not just counting them. These medications suggest a shift: from waiting until disease hits to trying to delay aging and compress the time of being “unwell”.
Here are a few take-aways:
✅ Healthspan over lifespan: The goal isn’t just more years—it’s more good years.
✅ Lifestyle remains king: None of these drugs replaces exercise, sleep, diet, stress control. They supplement.
⚠️ Medical oversight required: Especially with off-label uses, risk vs reward varies.
💡 Future strategy thinking: As your entrepreneurial mind knows, anticipating trends is key. Aging-targeting therapeutics are a growth area—and you might even link this to your longevity-tech interests.
Final Thoughts & Your Next Step
If I were to distil this into a single bold sentence: Yes, there are common medications today that may extend life/healthspan—but they aren’t magic, they aren’t yet proven for “everyone,” and they’re best used with real medical advice and lifestyle strategy.
Your next move:
Pick one of these that aligns with your health profile (after consulting your doctor).
Track your baseline biomarkers (metabolic, cardiovascular, aging-related) so you can measure over time.
Stay updated—because the field is moving fast.
And finally, think beyond pills - longevity is a system, not just a drug.