AICAR

AICAR is a nucleoside analog studied for AMPK activation, exercise-mimetic signaling, endurance support, and metabolic adaptation.

Profile · 01

Overview

AICAR (5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside) is a cell-permeable nucleoside analog that activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a major regulator of cellular energy balance. It is not FDA-approved for therapeutic use and is prohibited in sports by WADA as a metabolic modulator.

Preclinical models describe increased endurance, fatty-acid oxidation, glucose uptake, and mitochondrial biogenesis, while human safety discussion largely comes from intravenous acadesine literature rather than modern subcutaneous peptide protocols.

At a Glance

Goal
Support AMPK-mediated endurance, metabolic adaptation, and mitochondrial signaling
Categories
EnduranceMetabolic SupportAMPK ActivationExercise Mimetic
Synergistic
GW501516 · SR9009 · Metformin (with medical supervision) · L-Carnitine
Profile · 02

Protocol

Suggested daily titration approach starting conservatively and increasing every two weeks.

Reconstitute
Add 3.0 mL bacteriostatic water to a 50 mg vial for about 16.7 mg/mL concentration
Typical daily range
1-5 mg once daily
Start
1 mg daily for Weeks 1-2
Target
3-5 mg daily by Weeks 5-8+
Frequency
Once per day (subcutaneous)
Cycle Length
8-12 weeks
Timing
Any consistent time; some protocols prefer pre-exercise timing
Route
Subcutaneous
Cycle
8-12 weeks on, 4-8 weeks off

Inject once daily subcutaneously using the 3.0 mL dilution to keep measurements readable. The conservative table below reflects the lower-dose research approach; the source also mentions advanced escalation up to 5 mg daily. Human efficacy remains unconfirmed despite strong preclinical endurance data.

Dose progression

Weeks 1-2
1 mg · 6 units (0.06 mL)
Weeks 3-4
2 mg · 12 units (0.12 mL)
Weeks 5-8
3 mg · 18 units (0.18 mL)

Important: This guide is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. For research use only. Not for human consumption.

Science · 01

How AICAR works.

AICAR is metabolized intracellularly to ZMP, an AMP analog that activates AMPK. This drives glucose uptake, fatty-acid oxidation, and mitochondrial biogenesis, creating the well-known exercise-mimetic research profile.

Landmark animal studies reported major endurance improvements in sedentary mice, but human evidence is far less mature. Human safety discussion often references intravenous acadesine literature rather than direct subcutaneous AICAR protocols.

Science · 02

Effects

Observations from clinical or preclinical literature.

Preclinical studies reported improved endurance and exercise capacity
Supports mitochondrial and fatty-acid oxidation signaling through AMPK activation
May support insulin-sensitivity and metabolic-health markers in preclinical models
Human safety data are limited and indirect relative to current peptide-use discussions
Mild injection-site irritation may occur
Long-term human efficacy and risk profile remain unclear
Science · 03

Caution

Not appropriate for competitive athletes subject to WADA anti-doping rules
Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding because safety data is insufficient
Use caution with diabetes medications or other compounds that meaningfully affect glucose regulation
Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use if you have chronic medical conditions or metabolic disease

Important: This guide is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. For research use only. Not for human consumption.

Lifestyle · 01

CoFactors

CoQ10
Supports mitochondrial electron transport and complements AMPK-focused energy metabolism.
Alpha-lipoic acid
Supports glucose handling and mitochondrial function.
Magnesium
Supports enzymatic energy metabolism and AMPK-related signaling.
B vitamins
Support mitochondrial energy production pathways.
Lifestyle · 02

Life Factors

Complementary strategies for best outcomes.

Pair with a structured training plan if the goal is exercise adaptation rather than relying on the compound alone
Maintain adequate protein and caloric intake to support recovery
Prioritize sleep quality because mitochondrial adaptation and training recovery are sleep-sensitive
Monitor hydration, especially around endurance activity
Lifestyle · 03

Metrics

Day-to-day metrics worth tracking through the protocol.

  1. Exercise endurance and recovery - track duration, work output, and recovery time
  2. Body composition - monitor weight and fat-loss trends
  3. Fasting glucose - useful given the metabolic focus of AMPK activation
  4. Injection-site reactions - note redness, swelling, or discomfort
Lifestyle · 04

Labs

Baseline and periodic bloodwork to monitor systemic health during the protocol.

Fasting glucose and HbA1c
Track glycemic response and insulin-sensitivity trends.
Lipid panel
Useful for metabolic-health comparison over the cycle.
CMP (Comprehensive Metabolic Panel)
Assess liver and kidney function during peptide use.
CBC (Complete Blood Count)
General monitoring and baseline screening.
Calculators · 01

Supplies Calculator

Estimates assume the schedule defined for this peptide.

Length
Vial size
Bac. water
Syringe
Vials
0 × 50 mg each…
Syringes
0
Bac. water
0 mL
Swabs
02 per syringe
Calculators · 02

Dose Calculator

Dose Calculator

Vial
Bac. water
Syringe
Dose
Concentration
0mg/mL
Volume per dose
0mL
…
Practice · 01

Preparation

Careful technique preserves potency. Solution should be clear — do not shake.

  1. Allow vial to reach room temperature for 15–20 minutes before reconstitution.
  2. Draw the chosen bacteriostatic water volume with a sterile syringe.
  3. Inject slowly down vial wall; avoid foaming.
  4. Gently swirl/roll until dissolved (do not shake).
  5. Label with reconstitution date and refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F), protected from light.
  6. Use within 30 days; discard any unused solution after 30 days.
Practice · 02

Technique

General subcutaneous guidance from clinical best-practice resources.

Clean the vial stopper and injection site with alcohol and allow them to dry
Pinch a skinfold and insert the needle at 45-90 degrees into subcutaneous tissue
Do not aspirate for subcutaneous injections; inject slowly and steadily
Rotate injection sites across the abdomen, thighs, and upper arms
Discard used syringes immediately in a sharps container

Important: This guide is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. For research use only. Not for human consumption.

Practice · 03

Storage

Lyophilized
Store at room temp in dry, dark conditions; minimize moisture exposure.
Reconstituted
Refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F); avoid freeze–thaw cycles. Discard reconstituted vials after 30 days.

Notes

Allow vials to reach room temperature before opening to reduce condensation uptake.
Reference · 01

Notes

Use a new sterile insulin syringe for each injection and dispose of it safely
Lower-volume starting doses may be easier to read on 30-unit or 50-unit syringes
The source also describes advanced escalation up to 5 mg daily, but that is more inferential than the conservative table
AICAR is investigational and prohibited by WADA in sport
PepTribe is an educational platform. This information is for research and learning purposes only and is not medical advice.
Reference · 02

References

  1. Cell (2008)
    Narkar et al., exercise-mimetic effects of AMPK and PPARdelta agonism.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18674809/
  2. USADA
    AICAR anti-doping classification and sports guidance.
    https://www.usada.org/
  3. JAMA Network
    Acadesine clinical safety and pharmacokinetic literature.
    https://jamanetwork.com/
  4. PubMed
    AICAR and diabetic-neuropathy or metabolic-model research.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
  5. CDC
    Subcutaneous injection route guidance.
    https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/admin/downloads/YCTS-VaxAdmin-Subcut-injection.pdf
  6. WHO (NCBI Bookshelf)
    Injection-safety guidance for subcutaneous administration.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK390474/
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