Rapamycin
Rapamycin (Sirolimus / Rapamune)
An mTOR inhibitor and the most consistently replicated longevity intervention in animal models. Off-label use by longevity-focused physicians is growing — and so is the debate around it.
Rapamycin (sirolimus) is FDA-approved as Rapamune for prevention of organ transplant rejection and for lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM). Off-label use for longevity or anti-aging purposes is not FDA-approved. This page discusses the compound in a research context. Any use should be supervised by a qualified healthcare provider.
What it is
Rapamycin (sirolimus) is an FDA-approved macrolide compound originally derived from a bacterium found in Easter Island soil (Rapa Nui — hence the name). It is approved for use in organ transplant rejection, certain cancers, and a rare lung disease.
It works by inhibiting mTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin) — a central regulator of cell growth, protein synthesis, and autophagy. mTOR is highly active in nutrient-rich conditions and in aging; inhibiting it appears to shift cells toward maintenance and repair rather than growth.
Rapamycin is among the most-discussed compounds in longevity medicine, used by researchers including David Sinclair and Peter Attia (who has gone back and forth on it). The ITP (Interventions Testing Program) has extended lifespan in mice even when started late in life — a remarkable finding.
What research shows
- Extended lifespan in every animal species tested — mice, flies, worms — including when started in middle age
- ITP data: ~25% lifespan extension in mice, one of the most robust longevity findings in animal research
- Improved cardiac function and reduced cardiac aging in animal models
- Enhanced immune function in elderly humans — a small human trial showed improved vaccine response in older adults
- Autophagy upregulation — cellular "self-cleaning" that removes damaged proteins and organelles
What remains unknown
- Optimal dosing and pulsing schedule for healthy humans — intermittent dosing (e.g., weekly) is theorized to preserve benefits while reducing immunosuppression
- Long-term safety profile with chronic intermittent use in healthy individuals
- Whether animal model longevity results translate to humans
- Risk of impaired wound healing and infection with any dosing schedule
- Effect on exercise adaptations — mTOR is required for muscle protein synthesis
Administration basics
Common use cases
Longevity protocols, healthy aging, immune function in older adults. Primarily physician-supervised off-label use.
Half-life
~62 hours. Once-weekly dosing is the most common off-label longevity protocol.
Administration
Oral tablet. Available by prescription; off-label prescribing by longevity-focused physicians is increasingly common.
Research Protocols & Common Usage
Doses used in research
- Longevity-focused protocols (Blagosklonny, Kaeberlein) have used 1–6mg once weekly
- Transplant immunosuppression uses much higher daily doses — not applicable to longevity contexts
- ITP aging studies in mice used doses consistent with approximately 2–3mg/week when adjusted for body weight
Administration routes studied
Typical protocol duration
Longevity protocols are typically ongoing with periodic blood work monitoring. Weekly dosing is preferred over daily in longevity research contexts.
Common stacking protocols
- Rapamycin + Metformin — combined in some longevity protocols targeting mTOR and AMPK pathways
- Rapamycin + Acarbose — combined based on ITP trial data showing additive longevity effects in mice
Contraindications & combinations to avoid
- Active infections — rapamycin is an immunosuppressant; increases susceptibility to infections
- CYP3A4 drug interactions — many common medications significantly alter rapamycin blood levels (statins, antifungals, macrolide antibiotics, grapefruit)
- Pre- and post-surgery — rapamycin impairs wound healing; should be held around surgical procedures
- Should not be combined with other immunosuppressants without specialist oversight
Dosing information reflects doses used in published research and commonly reported community protocols only. This is not a personal recommendation. These compounds are not FDA-approved for human use in the contexts described. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any protocol.
Considering stacking?
See the stacking guide for common combinations with Rapamycin and what to avoid.
Track your Rapamycin protocol
Log your experience, track outcomes over time, and get AI-powered interpretation of your results after 14 days of data. Private, $14.99/month.
Start trackingGet research updates
We'll notify you when we update the Rapamycin page or publish related research.
More in the library
Community Reviews
Reviews reflect individual user experiences with research compounds and are not medical advice. Results vary. These compounds are not FDA approved for human use. Peptelligent does not verify reported experiences.
Write a Review
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience.