At a glance
A nucleoside analogue used to investigate cellular energy sensing.
This profile separates the compound’s scientific background from specification-specific preparation and source schedules. Begin with the research findings and limitations, then select the formulation you want to examine.
How it works
Potential benefits & side effects
Interpret each outcome in the context of the study population, formulation and evidence type. Research findings do not establish a personal treatment outcome.
Potential benefits & research findings
The source describes exercise-related and metabolic experiments. A response in an animal endurance test does not establish an exercise substitute or a human benefit.[2][3][6]
Read the original publications to see the measured endpoints, comparator, duration and uncertainty. Mechanistic plausibility and a favorable experimental result are different from demonstrated clinical benefit.
Side effects & evidence limitations
Interpret the reported adverse effects together with the study population, route and observation period. Small or short studies can miss uncommon and delayed harms. Evidence from a related compound does not establish the safety of AICAR.
Source-reported adverse effects and cautions
Observations from preclinical and limited human research.
Sources are available for independent reading. Individual claims and research schedules have not yet undergone an independent clinical review by Pep Science.
- Editorial responsibility
- Pep Science editorial desk
- Last independent review
- Not yet recorded
SPECIFICATIONS & SOURCE SCHEDULES
Explore a vial size
Select the exact formulation. Vial content, target dose and prepared concentration are different measurements.
Showing 50 mg · 2 source tables
Standard / Gradual Approach (3 mL = ~16.7 mg/mL)
| Week/Phase | Daily Dose | Units (per injection) (mL) |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–2 | 1,000 mcg (1 mg) | 6 units (0.06 mL) |
| Weeks 3–4 | 2,000 mcg (2 mg) | 12 units (0.12 mL) |
| Weeks 5–8 | 3,000 mcg (3 mg) | 18 units (0.18 mL) |
Frequency: Inject once daily subcutaneously[3]. For ≤10-unit (≤0.10 mL) administrations, consider 30- or 50-unit insulin syringes for improved readability.
Advanced Protocol (Higher Doses)
| Week/Phase | Daily Dose | Units (per injection) (mL) |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–2 | 2,000 mcg (2 mg) | 12 units (0.12 mL) |
| Weeks 3–6 | 3,000 mcg (3 mg) | 18 units (0.18 mL) |
| Weeks 7–12 | 5,000 mcg (5 mg) | 30 units (0.30 mL) |
Note: Higher-dose protocols should only be considered when explicitly supported by literature[4]. Research doses remain well below human safety studies (up to 210 mg/kg IV)[5], providing a wide safety margin. Important: This guide is for educational and research purposes only and is not medical advice. Not for human consumption.
Additional schedule context & duration
Concise summary of the once-daily research regimen.
- Research Goal: Activate AMPK pathways to mimic exercise-like metabolic effects[1][6].
- Schedule: Daily subcutaneous injections for 8–12 weeks (research protocols).
- Dose Range: 1,000–3,000 mcg daily (conservative); up to 5,000 mcg in advanced protocols.
- Reconstitution: 3.0 mL per 50 mg vial (~16.7 mg/mL) for precise measurements.
- Storage: Lyophilized frozen at −20 °C (−4 °F); reconstituted refrigerated 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F) for up to 4 weeks[14].
Suggested gradual titration approach for research.
- Start: 1,000 mcg daily; increase by 1,000 mcg every 2 weeks as tolerated.
- Target: 2,000–3,000 mcg daily by Weeks 3–8 (conservative).
- Advanced: Up to 5,000 mcg daily if supported by protocol design.
- Frequency: Once per day (subcutaneous); maintain consistent AMPK activation[3].
- Timing: Any consistent time; rotate injection sites daily.
Preparation
Reconstitution Steps
- Draw 3.0 mL bacteriostatic water with a sterile syringe.
- Inject slowly down the vial wall; avoid foaming.
- Gently swirl/roll until dissolved (do not shake).
- Label and refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F), protected from light.
Storage Instructions
Proper storage preserves peptide stability and potency.
- Lyophilized: Store at −20 °C (−4 °F) in dry, dark conditions; stable up to 24 months[14].
- Reconstituted: Refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F); use bacteriostatic water; stable ~4 weeks[14].
- Freeze–Thaw: Avoid repeated cycles; consider aliquots for long-term storage at −20 °C (−4 °F) (3–6 months)[14].
- Allow vials to reach room temperature before opening to minimize condensation.
Injection Technique
General subcutaneous guidance from clinical best-practice resources[8].
- Clean the vial stopper and injection site with alcohol swabs; allow to dry completely[8].
- Pinch a skinfold at the chosen site; insert the needle at 45–90° angle into subcutaneous tissue[9].
- Inject slowly and steadily; do not aspirate for subcutaneous injections[9].
- Wait a few seconds after full injection before withdrawing the needle.
- Rotate sites systematically (abdomen at least 2 inches from navel, outer thighs, back of upper arms) to prevent lipohypertrophy[8].
- Apply gentle pressure with gauze if minor bleeding occurs; do not rub the injection site[8].
Materials & quantity planning
Source materials checklist · 50 mg
Plan based on an 8-week research protocol (conservative dosing).
-
Peptide Vials (AICAR, 50 mg each):
- 8 weeks (gradual 1–3 mg/day) ≈ 3 vials
- 12 weeks (2–5 mg/day advanced) ≈ 8 vials
-
Insulin Syringes (U-100, or 30/50-unit for precision):
- Per week: 7 syringes (1/day)
- 8 weeks: 56 syringes
- 12 weeks: 84 syringes
-
Bacteriostatic Water (10 mL bottles): Use 3.0 mL per vial for reconstitution.
- 8 weeks (3 vials): 9 mL → 1 × 10 mL bottle
- 12 weeks (8 vials): 24 mL → 3 × 10 mL bottles
-
Alcohol Swabs: One for the vial stopper + one for the injection site each day.
- Per week: 14 swabs (2/day)
- 8 weeks: 112 swabs → recommend 2 × 100-count boxes
- 12 weeks: 168 swabs → recommend 2 × 100-count boxes
Calculate a phased quantity
Enter each finite phase from the schedule you are studying. Open-ended phases need an explicit duration. Calculation uses 50 mg per vial and 3 mL per vial.
Complete each phase to calculate totals.
Quantity estimates exclude preparation losses and expiry. Follow the formulation’s handling and disposal requirements.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
References & further reading
Original publications and source documents cited across this product’s variants. A listed source is not an independent endorsement of a dosing schedule.
- 02
Research publication
PubMed — Doping control study of AICAR; endurance enhancement in sedentary animals (Drug Testing and Analysis, 2017) (opens in a new tab)pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Back to overview ↑ - 05
Research publication
PubMed — Acadesine (AICAR) Phase I/II study; maximum tolerated dose 210 mg/kg IV (Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology, 2013) (opens in a new tab)pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Back to overview ↑ - 09
- 11
Research publication
PMC — AICAR enhances glucose transport and mitochondrial function in muscle cells (opens in a new tab)pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Back to overview ↑ - 12
Public health resource
NCBI Bookshelf — Best practices for injection procedures; asepsis, preparation, and administration guidelines (opens in a new tab)www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Back to overview ↑ - 13
Research publication
PMC — Pharmacologic considerations of subcutaneous drug injection; bioavailability and technique review (opens in a new tab)pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Back to overview ↑
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Related topics are not interchangeable compounds or formulations.