Legal status · Canada
Is SkQ1 legal in Canada?
No. SkQ1 is not an approved medicine in Canada; its classification is "Not authorized for sale". Nothing containing it is authorized for any use in people. Vials labeled "for research use only" are not exempt: that label does not make human use lawful. Human evidence: Preliminary.
SkQ1 in Canada at a glance
| Classification | Not authorized for sale |
|---|---|
| Health Canada approval status | Not approved by Health Canada |
| Evidence level | Preliminary (research strength: Moderate) |
| Reviewed | Sep 2026 |
Classification and note come from the SkQ1 profile, checked against Health Canada, Health Products and Food Branch (Health Canada) listings at the reviewed date.
What this means
- 01
No product containing SkQ1 is approved by Health Canada for any use in Canada, so nothing on the market is authorized for people.
- 02
"Research use only" is a vendor label, not a legal category that permits human use. It does not exempt a product from medicines law.
- 03
Importing, supplying or promoting it for human use can fall under medicines legislation in Canada. This page is general information, not legal advice.
What SkQ1 is
A mitochondria-targeted antioxidant registered in Russia as an eye drop for dry eye; rodent lifespan claims come from a single research group and oral systemic use has no human data.
SkQ1 attaches a plastoquinone antioxidant to a lipophilic cation that concentrates it inside mitochondria, where it limits cardiolipin oxidation. Two randomized trials support the eye drop for dry-eye symptoms, and the Skulachev group reported lifespan extension in rodents.
Mechanism: Accumulates in mitochondria via its triphenylphosphonium cation and scavenges lipid radicals at the inner membrane.
Regulatory history: Not FDA-approved; registered in Russia as Visomitin eye drops
How Health Canada treats this kind of product
Authorises drugs for sale through a Notice of Compliance and Drug Identification Number. A compound that is not authorised for sale cannot lawfully be sold for human use, and personal importation of prescription drugs is limited.
The classification above is the The Longevity Archive reading of Health Canada, Health Products and Food Branch listings for SkQ1 at the reviewed date, not a legal opinion. Rules change, and importing, prescribing and possessing a compound can each be treated differently. Check the regulator directly before acting on anything here.
SkQ1 in other countries
United States
Not approvedNot approved; sold 'for research use only'
Is SkQ1 legal in the United States?United Kingdom
Not approvedUnlicensed medicine; supply for human use is unlawful
Is SkQ1 legal in the United Kingdom?Australia
Not approvedNot approved; Schedule 4 or import-restricted
Is SkQ1 legal in Australia?Frequently asked questions
Is SkQ1 legal in Canada?
No. SkQ1 is not an approved medicine in Canada; its classification is "Not authorized for sale". Nothing containing it is authorized for any use in people. Vials labeled "for research use only" are not exempt: that label does not make human use lawful. Human evidence: Preliminary.
Can I buy SkQ1 in Canada?
No approved product exists to buy. In Canada SkQ1 is classified as "Not authorized for sale", so there is no licensed pharmacy product. Vendors selling it "for research use only" are not selling it for human use, and that label does not change its legal status. This site does not list or recommend vendors.
Is SkQ1 Health Canada approved?
No. In Canada SkQ1 is classified as "Not authorized for sale", which is not a Health Canada marketing approval. For comparison, the US FDA status is: Not FDA-approved; registered in Russia as Visomitin eye drops. Evidence level: Preliminary.
Related compounds in Canada
Full research profile
Mechanism, cited studies, FDA status and the full legal summary for SkQ1 live on its compound profile.
SkQ1 profileThis page is general information about the regulatory status of SkQ1 in Canada, current as of Sep 2026. It is not legal advice, and classifications change; check Health Canada, Health Products and Food Branch directly or consult 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 and does not recommend where to buy anything.