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Longevity & Anti-Aging

Peptides targeting hallmarks of aging including mitochondrial decline, cellular senescence, and tissue homeostasis.

Clinical Overview

Longevity & Anti-Aging

Peptides targeting hallmarks of aging including mitochondrial decline, cellular senescence, and tissue homeostasis.

2 peptides0 FDA-approvedSubcutaneous injection (SC) · intramuscular injection (IM) · intranasal (investigational) · Topical (most common) · subcutaneous injection (SC) · mesotherapyLast reviewed · April 22, 2026

Longevity-focused peptides target the biological hallmarks of aging — mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular senescence, telomere attrition, and loss of proteostasis. Clinical use should focus on validated symptomatic endpoints rather than unproven claims of lifespan extension.

Mechanism Classes

  • Mitochondrial-targeted peptides

    SS-31 / elamipretide (Phase 3 for mitochondrial myopathy and dry AMD) and humanin (cytoprotective, anti-apoptotic) act directly on mitochondrial function and energetics.

  • Telomere / sirtuin modulators

    Epithalon is a synthetic tetrapeptide studied for telomerase activation and circadian/sleep effects. NAD+ (a coenzyme, not a peptide) fuels sirtuin signaling and is included here for common co-prescribing.

  • Tissue-homeostasis peptides

    GHK-Cu (copper-binding tripeptide) modulates broad gene-expression networks involved in tissue repair and antioxidant defense.

Regulatory Status

FDA-Approved

None FDA-approved in this category.

Investigational / Off-Label

  • Epithalon
  • NAD+
  • Humanin
  • SS-31 / Elamipretide
  • GHK-Cu

No peptide is FDA-approved for longevity indications. SS-31 is in Phase 3 for mitochondrial myopathy — the most advanced regulatory pathway in this class.

Evidence Base

Heterogeneous. SS-31 has multi-year Phase 3 safety and efficacy data. NAD+ has growing human data for metabolic and cognitive endpoints. Epithalon and humanin remain predominantly preclinical. No peptide has demonstrated human lifespan extension in controlled trials.

Primary-Literature References

23

Across 2 linked monographs

Prescribing Considerations

  1. 1Frame as investigational; do not position as disease-modifying or lifespan-extending.
  2. 2Focus on measurable endpoints: energy, sleep, cognition, body composition, inflammatory markers.
  3. 3Baseline labs: CMP, CBC, lipid panel, HbA1c, thyroid function, hs-CRP; consider IGF-1 and biological-age markers.
  4. 4Structure as time-limited cycles with periodic reassessment — avoid indefinite continuous therapy without clinical justification.
  5. 5NAD+ is administered IV, SC, or IM in compounded forms; oral precursors (NMN, NR) are supplements rather than prescribed peptides.
  6. 6Document informed consent around investigational long-term use.
Peer-reviewed clinical references · last reviewed April 22, 2026PeptidePrescriber · Clinical Reference

Peptides in this category(2)

Clinical monographs for each agent — dosing ranges, safety profile, evidence, and prescribing considerations.

3 additional monographs in this category are in clinical review and will be published soon.

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