Longevity ⏱ Half-life: Approximately 2-3 hours. Discontinued

AICAR

AICAR (5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide Ribonucleotide)

Updated March 15, 2026

Evidence at a Glance

Regulatory statusDiscontinued
Acadesine reached Phase 3 for CABG cardioprotection (1990s), failed endpoints; no approval; WADA-prohibited.
Human evidenceLimited
Animal evidenceExtensive

AICAR is an AMPK-activating 'exercise-mimetic' with extensive rodent data, but its only large human trials (for cardiac-surgery protection) failed and it has no approval for metabolic, longevity, or performance use.

What the research does not support

  • Has not been shown to replace exercise or improve endurance, body composition, or lifespan in humans.
  • Its large human trials were for heart-surgery protection and did not meet their endpoints; none tested performance or aging.
  • Is not FDA-approved for any use and is banned in sport by WADA.
  • Poor oral bioavailability and a short half-life limit any real-world 'pill' application.
Half-Life
Approximately 2-3 hours.
Mol. Weight
338.21 g/mol

What is AICAR?

AICAR is a cell-permeable AMPK activator that has been described as an “exercise mimetic” — reproducing many of the molecular adaptations of endurance exercise at the cellular level without physical activity. It represents one of the most direct pharmacological approaches to metabolic pathway activation.

Research Applications

AMPK activation, exercise mimetic research, fat oxidation, glucose uptake, mitochondrial biogenesis, and metabolic disease models.

Dosage Information (Research Use)

Animal research: 250-500 mg/kg. Human translation is limited. Subcutaneous or IV administration in research. Research use only.

Reconstitution & Handling

Dissolve in sterile water or saline. Requires higher volumes due to larger doses.

Half-Life & Pharmacokinetics

Approximately 2-3 hours.

Reported Observations in Literature

Potential hypoglycemia, lactic acidosis at high doses, cardiac effects. Research use requires careful monitoring.

Key Research References

  • Narkar VA, et al. “AMPK and PPARdelta agonists are exercise mimetics.” Cell. 2008

How AICAR Works

AICAR is an AMP analog that activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), the cell's master energy sensor. AMPK activation shifts metabolism toward fat oxidation, increases glucose uptake in muscle, enhances mitochondrial biogenesis, and mimics many molecular effects of endurance exercise.

Research Findings

Famous "exercise in a pill" compound from Salk Institute research (2008). Rodent studies showed increased running endurance without training. On WADA prohibited list. Human dosing data is limited.

Dosage & Administration

Animal research: 250-500 mg/kg. Human translation is limited. Subcutaneous or IV administration in research. Research use only.

Safety & Side Effects

Potential hypoglycemia, lactic acidosis at high doses, cardiac effects. Research use requires careful monitoring.

Important: All safety information is derived from published research, primarily animal studies. No controlled human clinical trial data exists unless explicitly noted. This compound is sold for research purposes only.

Quick Facts

Sequence Non-peptide (nucleotide analog)
Molecular Weight 338.21 g/mol
Half-Life Approximately 2-3 hours.
Available Sizes 50mg
Storage Room temperature, protect from moisture.

Key Research References

  • Narkar VA, et al. "AMPK and PPARdelta agonists are exercise mimetics." Cell. 2008

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