How to Use AICAR
Complete guide to AICAR dosing, administration, timing, and protocol recommendations.
Quick Overview
AICAR is not a peptide at all. It is a small nucleoside (a building block related to the purine pathway) that cells convert into ZMP, a molecule that mimics AMP and switches on AMPK, the cell's energy sensor. It became famous in 2008 when a Salk Institute study showed sedentary mice on AICAR ran 44% further, earning it the "exercise in a pill" label. Human data tell a much less exciting story: it was tested as an intravenous drug (acadesine) for heart surgery and leukemia, the big heart trial failed, and nothing is approved.
Dosing Guidelines
Common Dose
No established dose; human data are IV infusions only
Frequency
Single infusions or short cycles in trials
Dose Range
25-210 mg/kg per IV infusion in clinical studies
Note: Every human dose in the literature is a supervised intravenous infusion in a hospital or research setting, usually in sick patients. The mouse endurance dose (500 mg/kg/day) does not translate to people. No published research supports the small subcutaneous doses discussed online, and their effect is unknown.
Administration Method
Intravenous infusion in human trials; intraperitoneal injection in mice
Best Time to Take
No evidence-based timing in healthy people
All human research used one-off or short-cycle IV infusions in clinical settings, so there is no data on ideal daily timing. Claims about pre-workout timing come from mouse studies, not human trials.
Protocol Duration
Single infusions or short cycles in human trials; 4 weeks in the mouse endurance study
Possible Side Effects
Not everyone experiences these. Individual responses vary.
- •Hyperuricemia (high uric acid), seen repeatedly in human trials
- •Kidney injury at high IV doses
- •Tumor lysis syndrome in leukemia patients at high doses
- •Lower blood pressure and faster heart rate from vasodilation
- •Anemia, nausea, and diarrhea reported in the leukemia trial
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the recommended dose for AICAR?
No established dose; human data are IV infusions only
How do you administer AICAR?
Intravenous infusion in human trials; intraperitoneal injection in mice
When is the best time to take AICAR?
No evidence-based timing in healthy people
How long should you use AICAR?
Single infusions or short cycles in human trials; 4 weeks in the mouse endurance study
This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult with a healthcare professional before using any peptide. Dosing information is based on research literature and community reports, not medical advice.