Head to head
Rapamycin against Everolimus
The same pathway, one drug taken off-label and one that produced the first credible human geroscience result. Everolimus improved influenza vaccine response in older adults in a randomised trial, which is a measured human outcome rather than an extrapolation from mice.
Column A
RapamycinRapamycin (Sirolimus, mTOR inhibitor)
An FDA-approved mTOR inhibitor that extends lifespan in animals and is widely studied off-label at low, intermittent doses for longevity.
Column B
EverolimusEverolimus, mTOR inhibitor and rapamycin analogue
The rapamycin analogue that produced the first credible human geroscience result: improved influenza vaccine response in older adults in a randomised trial.
Side by side, on the facts we can check
| Attribute | Rapamycin | Everolimus |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Longevity | Longevity |
| FDA status | FDA-approved (Rapamune); longevity use is off-label and investigational | FDA-approved as Afinitor for several cancers and as Zortress for prophylaxis of organ rejection. Not approved for any ageing or immune-ageing indication. |
| Half-life | ~60 hours | Roughly 30 hours, substantially shorter than rapamycin's 60 or more, which is the practical reason it was chosen for intermittent low-dose geroscience trials. |
| Molecular weight | 914.2 Da | 958.2 Da. A macrolide, not a peptide. |
| Mechanism | Inhibits the mTOR pathway, mimicking aspects of caloric restriction and enhancing autophagy and cellular maintenance. | A rapamycin analogue, or rapalog, that binds FKBP12 and inhibits mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1. mTORC1 is the central nutrient and growth-factor sensor: when it is active, cells build protein and suppress autophagy, and when it is inhibited, autophagy and stress resistance increase. That is the same pathway dietary restriction acts through, which is the entire basis for expecting mTOR inhibition to affect ageing. Everolimus differs from rapamycin by a hydroxyethyl group that improves oral bioavailability and shortens the half-life, which is why it is easier to dose intermittently. |
| Human studies cited | 2 | 3 |
| Legal status, US | FDA-approved (for its labeled use), prescription only | FDA-approved, prescription only |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Rapamycin and Everolimus?
Rapamycin: An FDA-approved mTOR inhibitor that extends lifespan in animals and is widely studied off-label at low, intermittent doses for longevity. Everolimus: The rapamycin analogue that produced the first credible human geroscience result: improved influenza vaccine response in older adults in a randomised trial.
Which has stronger research evidence, Rapamycin or Everolimus?
This database does not grade compounds. It counts what was run in people: 2 of the 3 studies cited on the Rapamycin profile were human work, against 3 of 3 for Everolimus. Those counts are of our own citation lists and understate any larger literature, and neither is a recommendation.
Are Rapamycin and Everolimus FDA-approved?
Rapamycin: FDA-approved (Rapamune); longevity use is off-label and investigational. Everolimus: FDA-approved as Afinitor for several cancers and as Zortress for prophylaxis of organ rejection. Not approved for any ageing or immune-ageing indication..
Related posts
Blog articles that cover Rapamycin or Everolimus, newest first.
- Longevity / Sep 8, 2026 / 12 minPeptides for Longevity: What the Evidence Actually Shows in 2026
- Longevity / Sep 8, 2026 / 9 minSenolytics in 2026: Dasatinib plus Quercetin, Fisetin, and What Human Trials Have Shown
- Longevity / Sep 8, 2026 / 9 minThe Rapamycin Dosing Debate: What PEARL Tested, the Bioavailability Problem, and What Is Unproven
Reviewed Sep 2026. This page sets two published records side by side. It is educational, it is not medical advice, and it contains no dosing protocols or recommendations for personal use.