What does SS-31 do? Benefits and evidence

SS-31 is elamipretide, which binds a fat in mitochondria. Forzinity has accelerated US approval for Barth syndrome muscle strength in patients weighing at least 30 kg; benefit needs confirmation. Mitochondrial myopathy and dry macular degeneration trials missed their main goals. Injection-site reactions are common; serious allergies can occur.

• Forzinity is approved for muscle strength in people with Barth syndrome who weigh at least 30 kg; the benefit still needs confirming. (Drug label)
• In a long-term follow-up of people with Barth syndrome, walking gains lasted in the eight who stayed on it. (Studied in a trial)
• People report more energy and longer workouts, though others notice no clear effect. (Reported by users)

Uses in the sources

• Forzinity has accelerated US approval for muscle strength in Barth syndrome patients weighing at least 30 kg. Clinical benefit needs confirmation in another trial. (Drug label) (source)
• Studied for primary mitochondrial myopathy. The 218-person MMPOWER-3 trial did not improve walking distance or fatigue versus placebo. (Studied in a trial) (source)
• Studied for heart and eye diseases; several randomized trials missed their main outcomes. These uses have no approved elamipretide indication. (Studied in a trial) (source)
• Used online for energy, healthy aging and recovery. No trial has shown longer life or a lasting performance benefit in healthy adults. (Reported by users) (source)
• People with ME/CFS or long COVID report benefits, no effect or worse symptoms. No controlled disease-specific trial was found. (Reported by users) (source)