AICAR 100mg

Quickstart Highlights

AICAR (5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside) is a research compound that activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)[1], earning the nickname “exercise pill” after studies showed sedentary animals given AICAR experienced dramatic endurance improvements[2]. AICAR is prohibited in sports (WADA classifies it as a metabolic modulator) and is not approved for therapeutic use in humans[1]. This educational protocol presents a once-daily subcutaneous approach for research purposes only.

Reconstitute: Add 3.0 mL bacteriostatic water → ~16.7 mg/mL concentration.
Research dosing range: 1,000–3,000 mcg once daily (conservative gradual approach).
Easy measuring: At 16.7 mg/mL, 1 unit = 0.01 mL ≈ 167 mcg on a U-100 insulin syringe.
Storage: Lyophilized: freeze at −20 °C (−4 °F); after reconstitution, refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F) for up to 4 weeks; avoid freeze–thaw cycles.

Dosing & Reconstitution Guide

Educational guide for reconstitution and daily dosing

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.

Reconstitution Steps

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.

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)

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.

Supplies Needed

Plan based on an 8-week research protocol (conservative dosing).

Peptide Vials (AICAR, 50 mg each):
Peptide Vials (AICAR, 50 mg each):: 8 weeks (gradual 1–3 mg/day) ≈ 3 vials
Peptide Vials (AICAR, 50 mg each):: 12 weeks (2–5 mg/day advanced) ≈ 8 vials
Insulin Syringes (U-100, or 30/50-unit for precision):
Insulin Syringes (U-100, or 30/50-unit for precision):: Per week: 7 syringes (1/day)
Insulin Syringes (U-100, or 30/50-unit for precision):: 8 weeks: 56 syringes
Insulin Syringes (U-100, or 30/50-unit for precision):: 12 weeks: 84 syringes
Bacteriostatic Water (10 mL bottles): Use 3.0 mL per vial for reconstitution.
Bacteriostatic Water (10 mL bottles): Use 3.0 mL per vial for reconstitution.: 8 weeks (3 vials): 9 mL → 1 × 10 mL bottle
Bacteriostatic Water (10 mL bottles): Use 3.0 mL per vial for reconstitution.: 12 weeks (8 vials): 24 mL → 3 × 10 mL bottles
Alcohol Swabs: One for the vial stopper + one for the injection site each day.
Alcohol Swabs: One for the vial stopper + one for the injection site each day.: Per week: 14 swabs (2/day)
Alcohol Swabs: One for the vial stopper + one for the injection site each day.: 8 weeks: 112 swabs → recommend 2 × 100-count boxes
Alcohol Swabs: One for the vial stopper + one for the injection site each day.: 12 weeks: 168 swabs → recommend 2 × 100-count boxes

Protocol Overview

Concise summary of the once-daily research regimen.

Research Goal: Activate AMPK pathways to mimic exercise-like metabolic effects[1][6]. Open source
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]. Open source

Dosing Protocol

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]. Open source
Timing: Any consistent time; rotate injection sites daily.

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]. Open source
Reconstituted: Refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F); use bacteriostatic water; stable ~4 weeks[14]. Open source
Freeze–Thaw: Avoid repeated cycles; consider aliquots for long-term storage at −20 °C (−4 °F) (3–6 months)[14]. Open source
Allow vials to reach room temperature before opening to minimize condensation.

Important Notes

Practical considerations for research protocols.

Use new sterile insulin syringes for each injection; dispose in a sharps container.
Rotate injection sites (abdomen, thighs, upper arms) to reduce local irritation[11]. Open source
Inject slowly; wait a few seconds before withdrawing the needle.
Document daily dose, administration time, and site rotation for consistency.
AICAR is prohibited by WADA and not approved for human therapeutic use[1]. Open source

How This Works

AICAR functions as an AMPK agonist, essentially mimicking an energy-depleted cellular state[6]. After administration, AICAR enters skeletal muscle and other cells where it is metabolized to ZMP (AICAR monophosphate), an analog of AMP that directly activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)[6]. AMPK serves as the master regulator of cellular energy homeostasis, and its activation stimulates glucose uptake and fatty-acid oxidation in muscle while promoting mitochondrial biogenesis to boost cellular energy output[1][6]. This metabolic shift “tricks” cells into responding as if exercising or fasting, activating pathways that improve energy metabolism and endurance capacity without actual physical activity.

Injection Technique

General subcutaneous guidance from clinical best-practice resources[11].

Clean the vial stopper and injection site with alcohol swabs; allow to dry completely[11]. Open source
Pinch a skinfold at the chosen site; insert the needle at 45–90° angle into subcutaneous tissue[12]. Open source
Inject slowly and steadily; do not aspirate for subcutaneous injections[12]. Open source
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[11]. Open source
Apply gentle pressure with gauze if minor bleeding occurs; do not rub the injection site[11]. Open source

Lifestyle Factors

Complementary strategies for research protocols.

Maintain a balanced, protein-adequate diet to support metabolic adaptations.
Combine with structured exercise programs to potentially amplify AMPK-mediated benefits.
Prioritize sleep quality (7–9 hours) to optimize cellular recovery and energy metabolism.
Monitor hydration status, especially during endurance activities.

Recommended Source

We recommend Prime Lab Peptides for high‑purity Adamax (10 mg).

High-purity, third-party-tested lots with batch Certificates of Analysis (COAs).
Consistent quality control and ISO-aligned handling procedures.
Reliable cold-chain shipping to maintain peptide integrity.
Comprehensive product documentation and storage guidelines.

Important Note

This page is informational and does not authorize use. Peptify clients should complete assessment, disclose medications and health history, and follow the clinician-approved plan only.

Do not start, stop, combine, or change a protocol based only on website content.
Emergency symptoms require urgent medical care, not a website or routine follow-up message.

References

— What Athletes Should Know About AICAR and Other Prohibited AMPK Activated Protein Kinase Activators (official guidance, 2022)

AICAR (50 mg Vial) Open source
U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) — What Athletes Should Know About AICAR and Other Prohibited AMPK Activated Protein Kinase Activators (official guidance, 2022) View Source Open source
PubMed — Doping control study of AICAR; endurance enhancement in sedentary animals (Drug Testing and Analysis, 2017) View Source Open source
PMC (PubMed Central) — AICAR treatment for 14 days normalizes obesity-induced dysregulation in skeletal muscle (Am. J. Physiol., 2010) View Source Open source
MDPI (International Journal of Molecular Sciences) — AICAR prevents and reverses diabetic polyneuropathy by regulating mitophagy (2024) View Source Open source
PubMed — Acadesine (AICAR) Phase I/II study; maximum tolerated dose 210 mg/kg IV (Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology, 2013) View Source Open source
Cell Signaling Technology — AICAR (Acadesine) Product Data Sheet; AMPK activation mechanism and cellular effects (2021) View Source Open source
JAMA Network — Effect of adenosine-regulating agent acadesine in cardiac surgery; IV infusion protocol (JAMA, 1997) View Source Open source
Endocrinology (Oxford University Press) — AICAR stimulates fatty acid oxidation via β-adrenergic pathway in skeletal muscle View Source Open source
PMC — AICAR enhances glucose transport and mitochondrial function in muscle cells View Source Open source
NCBI Bookshelf — Best practices for injection procedures; asepsis, preparation, and administration guidelines View Source Open source
MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia — Subcutaneous (SQ) injections: patient instructions for proper technique and site rotation (NIH, 2023) View Source Open source
CDC — Vaccine administration: subcutaneous route guidelines (angle, site selection, no aspiration) View Source Open source
PMC — Pharmacologic considerations of subcutaneous drug injection; bioavailability and technique review View Source Open source
Prime Lab Peptides — AICAR 50mg product specification and storage instructions; quality documentation (2025) View Source
Biolog Life Science Institute — Technical Information about AICAR-5′-MP (AICA Ribonucleotide); stability and handling (2018) View Source Open source

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