What Is AICAR Peptide? A Quick Correction

AICAR stands for 5 aminoimidazole 4 carboxamide ribonucleoside. Strictly speaking, it is not a peptide, because it does not consist of a chain of amino acids. It is a small molecule that mimics AMP, a molecule your cells use to sense energy levels. Still, most shoppers search for aicar peptide, and the compound often appears next to peptides in research catalogs.

How AICAR Works in the Research Literature

Inside cells, AICAR converts into a compound called ZMP, which resembles AMP. As a result, it switches on AMPK, an enzyme often described as the cell’s energy sensor. Exercise and calorie restriction also activate AMPK, and for that reason researchers call AICAR an exercise mimetic.

AICAR Peptide Benefits: What the Research Actually Shows

The research around AICAR is real, yet it has clear limits. This section separates what scientists observed from what marketing claims.

The 2008 Mouse Study

In 2008, Narkar and colleagues at the Salk Institute published a study in Cell. Sedentary mice treated with AICAR for four weeks improved their running endurance by about 44 percent without any training. You can read the paper through its DOI link.

What the Mouse Result Does Not Prove

Researchers ran that study entirely in mice. No completed human trial has shown that AICAR improves endurance or exercise performance in people. Therefore, the headline “exercise in a pill” describes a mouse result, not a human one.

The Clinical History

Before the exercise studies, drug companies tested acadesine for protecting the heart during bypass surgery and in some blood cancers. None of those programs led to approval, and the company ended its heart surgery program in 2010. As a result, no approved medical use for AICAR exists.

AICAR Peptide For Sale: Product Details

AICAR 50mg Vial

Each vial contains a single, clearly labeled compound, and every batch follows the same specification.

Concentration : 50mg per vial
Purity : 98% minimum, HPLC verified, third party tested
Format : lyophilized powder, supplied for reconstitution with bacteriostatic water
Includes : storage reference card, COA with identity and purity data
Delivery : 1 to 2 business days, discreet and tracked

AICAR Peptide Dosage: What We Can and Cannot Tell You

Many visitors search for aicar peptide dosage, a dosage chart, or a daily protocol. We address the question directly, because accurate information matters more than a number that sounds confident.

No regulator has approved an AICAR dose, and no completed human trial has established one for performance or metabolic goals. The clinical studies that used acadesine relied on intravenous administration in supervised settings, so they cannot guide self administration. Consequently, we do not publish a dosing chart or protocol.

Mouse doses also cannot convert into a safe human dose with a simple formula. If you consider any use beyond the laboratory, speak with a licensed physician first.

AICAR Peptide Side Effects and Safety

Researchers have not established a full side effect profile for AICAR in healthy people. Clinical studies of acadesine reported effects on blood chemistry, including changes in uric acid levels, and laboratory work links AMPK activation to many body systems. Furthermore, long term safety outside medical trials is unknown.

Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should not use this compound. People with gout, kidney disease, heart conditions, or diabetes should also seek medical advice first. In addition, anyone on blood sugar medication needs guidance, because AMPK activation affects glucose handling.

AICAR and the WADA Ban: A Warning for Athletes

The World Anti Doping Agency added AICAR to its prohibited list in 2009, shortly after the Cell study appeared. It sits in the category of metabolic modulators and remains banned in and out of competition. Moreover, researchers developed a urine test to detect it, and anti doping authorities have reported finding evidence of its use in competitive cycling.

If you compete in any tested sport, do not use this compound. A positive test can end a career. For current rules, check the WADA website.

AICAR vs 5-Amino-1MQ: Two Metabolic Research Compounds

Both compounds appear in metabolism research, yet they work in different ways.

	AICAR	5-Amino-1MQ
Type	Nucleoside analog	Small molecule enzyme inhibitor
Main target	AMPK activation	NNMT inhibition
Strongest evidence	Mouse endurance studies, past clinical trials	Mouse fat metabolism studies
Human efficacy data	None for performance or metabolism	None published
Sport status	Banned by WADA	Not an approved drug

In short, AICAR targets cellular energy sensing, whereas 5-Amino-1MQ targets an enzyme in fat tissue. For details, see our 5-Amino-1MQ page.

Where to Buy AICAR Peptide: What to Check Before You Order

Typing aicar peptide for sale into a search engine returns sellers of very different quality. Some publish full lab reports, while others show only a photo and a price. Consequently, compare sources on the points below.

What to verify	Why it matters
Lot matched COA	Links the lab result to your exact batch
HPLC purity and identity data	Confirms the vial contains AICAR and not a substitute
Clear amount per vial	Lets you verify the label
Real support contact	Shows the seller stands behind the product

We provide each of these on every batch. To compare other compounds, browse our full peptide catalog.

AICAR Regulatory Status in 2026

The FDA has not approved AICAR as a drug in the US, and sellers offer it as a research compound. Rules around research compounds change often, so check the FDA compounding guidance for current information before you buy.

Ready to Order Your AICAR Peptide?

You have seen what AICAR is, what the mouse studies reported, and where the evidence and the rules stop. The remaining choice is the source, and that choice decides what arrives at your door.

Every vial ships with a lot matched COA. Before any batch enters inventory, we run HPLC testing to confirm identity and purity. Orders placed before 2pm ship the same day, and a real team member answers every question.

Buy AICAR 50mg: $75
Questions Before You Order? Contact Us

Free shipping on orders above $200. Discreet outer packaging. Fully tracked.

Frequently Asked Questions: AICAR Peptide

What is AICAR peptide?

AICAR, also called acadesine, is a nucleoside analog that activates AMPK. People often call it a peptide, but it does not have a peptide structure.

What are the AICAR peptide benefits?

A 2008 mouse study reported about 44 percent better running endurance in untrained mice. However, no completed human trial confirms any performance or metabolic benefit.

What is the AICAR peptide dosage?

No approved or clinically tested dose exists for performance or metabolic use. We do not publish dosing charts or protocols. Anyone considering use outside a laboratory should consult a licensed physician.

What are the AICAR peptide side effects?

The full profile is unknown for healthy people. Clinical studies of acadesine reported changes in blood chemistry, including uric acid, so medical oversight matters.

Is AICAR banned in sports?

Yes. WADA has prohibited it since 2009, in and out of competition, and tests can detect it.

Does AICAR replace exercise?

No. The mouse result showed an endurance gain, but no human trial shows that AICAR replaces training or delivers similar health benefits.

Is AICAR the same as metformin?

No. Both activate AMPK, but they work through different mechanisms, and metformin is an approved diabetes drug with decades of human data.

How should I store AICAR?

Keep unopened vials cold and away from light, and follow the storage card in your package. After reconstitution, keep the solution refrigerated and use it within the window stated on the card.

Where can I buy AICAR peptide?

You can order it from our store with a lot matched COA. Whichever seller you choose, verify identity and purity data before you buy.

Is AICAR legal to buy?

Sellers can offer it as a research compound in the US, and the FDA has not approved it as a drug. Peptide and research compound rules change often, so check current guidance.