AICAR
FDA APPROVAL PENDING
Metabolic
AICAR
Performance
0
Amino acids
Molecular weight
Peptide
Type
AICAR is a cell-permeable nucleoside analog that activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a key regulator of cellular energy homeostasis. Originally studied for cardiac ischemia protection, it gained attention as an 'exercise mimetic' due to its metabolic effects.
Top researched benefits
Overview of AICAR
Once inside cells, AICAR is phosphorylated to ZMP, which mimics AMP and activates AMPK. This triggers metabolic pathways typically activated during exercise: increased glucose uptake, fatty acid oxidation, and mitochondrial biogenesis.
metabolic
- Directly activates the master metabolic regulator through ZMP accumulation.
- Increases fat burning through AMPK-mediated pathways.
- Enhances glucose uptake independent of insulin in some tissues.
performance
- Animal studies showed increased running endurance; human data limited.
- AMPK activation promotes new mitochondria formation over time.
cardioprotection
- Original clinical interest; may protect heart tissue during reduced blood flow.
Typical Dose
1-5mg daily
Frequency
Once daily
Cycle Duration
8-12 weeks
Storage
Lyophilized: -20°C; Reconstituted: 2-8°C for 4 weeks
No visual available
Due to this peptide having no amino acids, there is no molecular chain to display.
Chemical Makeup
Key benefits
AMPK pathway activation
Enhanced fatty acid oxidation
Improved glucose uptake
Potential endurance enhancement
Mitochondrial biogenesis stimulation
Community interest
This peptide is still gaining traction in the community.
5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide Ribonucleotide | AMPK Activator
This overview is informational and based on aggregated descriptions from studies and user reports.
Was it helpful?YesNoAICAR Molecular Information
View the scientifc details of AICAR.
Molecular Weight
338.21DaChain Length
0Amino AcidsType
PeptideAICAR Protocols
Subcutaneous injection once daily. Progressive dosing protocols are common to assess tolerance.
| Goal | Dosage | Frequency | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Protocol | 1 | 1 week range | SubQ |
| Gradual Introduction | 1 | 4 week range | SubQ |
| Advanced Protocol | 3 | 8 week range | SubQ |
Reconstitution Instructions
Materials needed:
Steps to reconstitute
- Allow vial to reach room temperature
- Clean rubber stopper with alcohol swab
- Add 3.0mL bacteriostatic water for ~16.7mg/mL concentration
- Inject slowly along vial wall to avoid foaming
- Gently swirl to dissolve; never shake
- Label with date and store refrigerated at 2-8°C
- Use within 4 weeks of reconstitution
AICAR Cycle
The AICAR Cycle section explains how long a typical cycle lasts and what to expect during each phase. Over time, your body can become less responsive with continuous use.
Taking breaks between cycles may help maintain effectiveness and support better overall results.
- Week 1-2
- Subtle changes in energy levels; body adjusting to AMPK activation
- Week 3-4
- Potential improvements in endurance capacity and metabolic markers
- Week 5-8
- Cumulative metabolic adaptations; enhanced fat oxidation
- Week 8-12
- Full effects on mitochondrial density and metabolic efficiency
Dosing tools
AICAR Peptide Dosage Calculator
Calculate peptide doses with our visual syringe guide.
mg
Enter the total amount of peptide in the vial in milligrams (as stated on the label).
The dose you want to inject per administration, in mcg or mg.
1,000 mcg = 1 mg
1 mL
2 mL
3 mL
5 mL
Custom
Volume of bacteriostatic water you add to reconstitute the powder. Use BAC water for preservation.
Injection Results
Based on your vial and dilution inputs.
AICAR
SINGLE COMPOUNDVolume per injection
0.05
mL
Concentration
10.00
mg/mL
Doses per vial
20
doses
Total injections per vial
20 injections
How it works
Based on a 10 mg AICAR vial diluted with 1 mL of bacteriostatic water, each 500 mcg injection equals 0.05 mL.
1mL / 100 units
5 units
0.050 mL
Reference Guide
Dosing Cycle
- Peptide
- AICAR
- Dosing
- 1-5mg daily
- Dosing Frequency
- Once daily
- Cycle Duration
- 8-12 weeks
- Storage
- Lyophilized: -20°C; Reconstituted: 2-8°C for 4 weeks
Note: Triple agonist; microdose for fewer side effects
Reconstitution Tips
- Use bacteriostatic water (BAC) — contains 0.9% benzyl alcohol for preservation
- Inject water slowly — aim down the vial wall, not directly onto powder
- Never shake — gently swirl or roll the vial until dissolved
- Store properly — refrigerate at 2-8°C after reconstitution
- Use within 28 days — most reconstituted peptides remain stable for about 4 weeks
- Keep sterile — always clean vial tops with alcohol before drawing
Side effects
Contraindications
Diabetes (risk of hypoglycemia)
Cardiac conditions
Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Competitive athletes (WADA prohibited)
Stop signs
Severe hypoglycemia symptoms
Lactic acidosis symptoms (muscle pain, weakness, difficulty breathing)
Unusual cardiac symptoms
Severe fatigue or weakness
Bad signs
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Frequently asked questions
What is a peptide dosage calculator?
A peptide dosage calculator is a free tool that converts your vial size, bacteriostatic water volume, and target dose into an exact syringe draw volume. Instead of doing the reconstitution math by hand, you enter three inputs and instantly get the concentration of your solution and how many milliliters or syringeunits to draw. This calculator works for single peptide compounds and multi-peptide blends.
How do I calculate peptide dosage from a vial?
To calculate your peptide dose, divide the total peptide content of your vial in micrograms by the volume of bacteriostatic water you added in milliliters. This gives you your solution concentration in mcg/mL. Then divide your target dose by that concentration to get your draw volume. For example, a 5mg (5,000 mcg) vial reconstituted with 2mL of BAC water gives a concentration of 2,500 mcg/mL. A 250 mcg dose would require drawing 0.1mL. This calculator automates all of those steps instantly.
How much Bacteriostatic water should I add to a peptide vial?
Most people add 2mL to 3mL of bacteriostatic water per vial, but the right amount depends on the dose you want to draw and the syringe size you are using. Adding 1mL to a 5mg vial gives you a concentration of 5,000 mcg/mL, making each dose very small in volume. Adding 2mL gives you 2,500 mcg/mL, which is easier to measure on a standard insulin syringe. A general guideline is to choose a volume that puts your typical dose somewhere between 10 and 30 units on a U-100 syringe. Use the calculator above to test different water volumes and find what works for your dose.
How are peptides different from proteins?
Both are made of amino acids, but peptides are much smaller than proteins. Because of their tiny size, peptides can act like tiny messengers in the body, sending specific signals to your cells to tell them exactly what to do.
AICARResearch References
AICAR is a limited compound
AICAR
AICAR is a limited compound
AMPK and Exercise: Glucose Uptake and Insulin Sensitivity
Review of AMPK role in exercise-induced metabolic adaptations and AICAR as pharmacological activator.
2012
AICAR Mouse Endurance Study
Mice treated with AICAR showed 44% increase in running endurance without training.
2008