Legal status by country
Is Metformin legal?
Written by Aaron CuhaReviewed Sep 2026
How Metformin is classified in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada, side by side. Each country has its own page with a direct answer, the regulator's approval status and what the classification means in practice.
All four countries, side by side
| Attribute | United States · FDA | United Kingdom · MHRA | Australia · TGA | Canada · Health Canada |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Status | Not approved | Not approved | Not approved | Prescription route |
| Classification | Prescription only; approved for type 2 diabetes | Prescription only medicine | Prescription only (S4) | Prescription only |
| Note | Use for ageing is off-label and not an approved indication. | None recorded | None recorded | None recorded |
US FDA status: FDA approved for type 2 diabetes since 1994. Not approved for ageing or longevity.. Reviewed Sep 2026.
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General information current as of Sep 2026, not legal advice. Classifications change; confirm with the regulator or a lawyer for a specific situation. Educational use only. This database summarizes published research. It is not medical advice and contains no dosing protocols or recommendations for personal use. The Longevity Archive has no vendor relationships.