What Metformin is

Class and mechanism

Metformin is a biguanide. Reduces hepatic gluconeogenesis and improves peripheral insulin sensitivity, largely through AMPK-dependent and mitochondrial complex I mechanisms. Also studied extensively in longevity research.

Where it sits

Ancillary compounds sit alongside a primary compound rather than replacing it. They are usually pharmaceutical products with long established use outside this context.

Others in the ancillary compounds range

Metformin sits in the ancillary compounds group. The compounds below share that grouping, which is the useful starting point when comparing one against another: same group means the comparison is like for like, different group usually means it is not.