At a glance
A short peptide investigated in cellular aging and circadian biology.
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
Cellular and animal endpoints form part of the source discussion. Evidence involving other pineal preparations must be distinguished from evidence for this exact peptide.[2][9][3]
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 Epitalon (Epithalon).
Source-reported adverse effects and cautions
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 10 mg · 1 source tables
Standard Protocol (2 mL = 5 mg/mL)
| Phase | Daily Dose (mcg) | Units (per injection) (mL) |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1–20 (Cycle On) | 5,000 mcg (5 mg) | 100 units (1.00 mL) |
| Weeks 4–26 (Cycle Off) | 0 mcg | — |
Frequency: Inject once daily subcutaneously, preferably in the evening or at bedtime to synergize with natural melatonin rhythms[3]. Complete 20 consecutive days, then observe a 4–6 month off-cycle before repeating (typically 2 cycles per year)[5].
Additional schedule context & duration
Concise summary of the once-daily regimen.
- Goal: Support telomere maintenance, melatonin regulation, and geroprotective effects over time[2].
- Schedule: Daily subcutaneous injections for 20 consecutive days, followed by 4–6 months off-cycle.
- Dose: 5,000 mcg (5 mg) daily.
- Reconstitution: 2.0 mL per 10 mg vial (5 mg/mL) for accurate unit measurements.
- Storage: Lyophilized frozen; reconstituted refrigerated; avoid repeated freeze–thaw.
Suggested daily approach based on published research protocols.
- Standard Dose: 5,000 mcg (5 mg) once daily subcutaneously[5].
- Alternative: 10 mg/day for 10 days (same total cycle dose of 100 mg).
- Frequency: Once per day (subcutaneous), preferably at bedtime.
- Cycle Length: 20 consecutive days on, then 4–6 months off.
- Timing: Evening administration recommended; rotate injection sites daily.
Preparation
Reconstitution Steps
- Draw 2.0 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 quality.
- Lyophilized: Store at −20 °C (−4 °F) for long-term; refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F) for routine storage; minimize moisture exposure[6].
- Reconstituted: Refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F); use within 2–4 weeks and avoid freeze–thaw[7].
- Allow vials to reach room temperature before opening to reduce condensation uptake.
Injection Technique
General subcutaneous guidance from clinical best-practice resources[8].
- Clean the vial stopper and skin with alcohol; allow to dry.
- Pinch a skinfold; insert the needle at 45–90° into subcutaneous tissue[10][11].
- Do not aspirate for subcutaneous injections; inject slowly and steadily[10].
- Rotate sites systematically (abdomen, thighs, upper arms) to avoid lipohypertrophy[8].
Materials & quantity planning
Source materials checklist · 10 mg
Plan based on a 20-day daily protocol at 5 mg/day.
-
Peptide Vials (Epitalon, 10 mg each):
- 20-day cycle (5 mg/day): 10 vials (each vial yields 2 doses)
-
Insulin Syringes (U-100):
- Per cycle: 20 syringes (1/day)
-
Bacteriostatic Water (10 mL bottles): Use 2.0 mL per vial for reconstitution.
- 20-day cycle (10 vials): 20 mL → 2 × 10 mL bottles
-
Alcohol Swabs: One for the vial stopper + one for the injection site each day.
- Per cycle: 40 swabs (2/day) → recommend 1 × 100-count box
Calculate a phased quantity
Enter each finite phase from the schedule you are studying. Open-ended phases need an explicit duration. Calculation uses 10 mg per vial and 2 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
PMC/Biogerontology — Epitalon increases telomere length in human cell lines through telomerase upregulation (opens in a new tab)pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Back to overview ↑ - 03
Research publication
Neuroendocrinology Letters (PubMed) — Synthetic tetrapeptide Epitalon restores neuroendocrine regulation in senescent monkeys (opens in a new tab)pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Back to overview ↑ - 04
Research publication
Bull Exp Biol Med (PubMed) — Geroprotective effect of epithalamine in elderly with accelerated aging (12-year RCT) (opens in a new tab)pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Back to overview ↑ - 08
Source document
Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center — How to Give a Subcutaneous Injection (patient education guide) (opens in a new tab)www.hopkinsarthritis.org
Back to overview ↑ - 09
Source document
Wikipedia — Epitalon (overview of Hayflick limit studies and telomerase activation) (opens in a new tab)en.wikipedia.org
Back to overview ↑ - 10
Public health resource
CDC — Vaccine administration: subcutaneous route (angle/site; no aspiration) (opens in a new tab)www.cdc.gov
Back to overview ↑ - 11
- 12
Public health resource
NCBI Bookshelf — Best practices for injection (asepsis, preparation, and administration) (opens in a new tab)www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Back to overview ↑ - 13
Research publication
Subcutaneous Drug Injection Review (PMC) — Pharmacologic considerations of the subcutaneous route (opens in a new tab)pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Back to overview ↑
Continue exploring
Related topics are not interchangeable compounds or formulations.