Quick answerIn the research literature the 50 mg AICAR vial is typically reconstituted with 3 mL of bacteriostatic water, yielding a workable concentration. Documented research protocols reference roughly 1 mg per administration when mapping handling parameters. These figures are cited for research-use-only reference and are not dosing guidance for humans or animals.
Reconstitution calculator
Mix & measure AICAR · 50 mg
Pre-filled with this protocol’s recommended BAC water and documented starting dose — edit any field to run your own numbers.
Vial strengthmgBAC watermLYour dose
Concentration—mg/mL
Draw volume—mL
On the syringe—units
Doses / vial—
Reconstitution math only — not dosing advice. U-100 syringe: 100 units = 1 mL. Full reconstitution guide → · Advanced calculator →
Dosing & Reconstitution Guide
A single practical dilution with accurate once-daily dosing, step by step
Standard / Gradual Approach (3 mL = ~16.67 mg/mL)
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Reconstitute: Add 3.0 mL bacteriostatic water to one 50 mg vial → final concentration ~16.67 mg/mL (16,670 mcg/mL).
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Typical daily range: 1–3 mg (1,000–3,000 mcg) once daily, raised gradually over an 8-week course.
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Easy measuring: At ~16.67 mg/mL, 1 unit ≈ 167 mcg on a U-100 syringe (units = mcg ÷ 167). The micro-doses here are far below the 10–50 mg/kg doses used in rodent studies.
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Storage: Lyophilized: store at −20 °C (−4 °F); after reconstitution, refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F) and do not freeze the mixed solution.
Phase / Week(s) Dose & Frequency Volume (U-100 units / mL) Weeks 1–2 1,000 mcg / 1 mg (1× daily) ~6 units (0.06 mL) Weeks 3–4 2,000 mcg / 2 mg (1× daily) ~12 units (0.12 mL) Weeks 5–8 3,000 mcg / 3 mg (1× daily) ~18 units (0.18 mL)
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Why researchers study it
Why AICAR draws research interest
These are the directions researchers and the peptide community most often explore AICAR for — so you know you’re in the right place. They describe what is being studied, not proven benefits, approved uses, or promised results.
Endurance & exercise performance
Investigated in animal research as an AMPK-driven "exercise mimetic"; WADA-prohibited and not approved for human use.
Fat metabolism & lipolysis
Studied in preclinical models for how AMPK activation shifts cells toward fat oxidation; human effects remain unproven.
Mitochondrial function
Explored in animal research on AMPK signaling and mitochondrial biogenesis; investigational only, with no approved human indication.
Glucose & metabolic regulation
Researched in preclinical studies on AMPK-mediated glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity; human benefits are unestablished.
Evidence ranges from early laboratory work to clinical trials depending on the use — the sections below cover the actual data and sources.
01 · Dosing & reconstitution
i
Important: Start with the Prep & Injection Guide — it covers the preparation and safety basics every protocol on this site assumes.
Frequency: one subcutaneous injection each day, titrating up as tolerated across the 8-week course[3]. These are illustrative research figures, not approved human dosing; note that AICAR is not approved for human use and is prohibited by WADA[4].
Reconstitution Steps
1
Draw 3.0 mL of bacteriostatic water into a sterile syringe.
2
Release it slowly down the vial’s inner wall to limit foaming.
3
Swirl or roll gently until fully dissolved — don’t shake.
4
Label with the date and concentration, then refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F), shielded from light.
Note
The 3.0 mL dilution puts a 50 mg vial at ~16.67 mg/mL, so each dose still reads on the lower half of a U-100 syringe (1 unit ≈ 167 mcg). Avoid freezing the reconstituted solution, since freeze–thaw can degrade the compound.
02 · What you’ll need
Supplies Needed
Quantities below assume an 8–16 week course of once-daily injections with gradual titration.
✓AICAR Vials (AICAR, 50 mg each)
A 50 mg vial covers roughly 2–3 weeks at the 1–3 mg/day micro-doses used here, so one vial lasts well into the cycle.
8-week course: ~3 vials Doses 1–3 mg/day: 1 vial ≈ 2–3 weeks Keep a spare vial on hand
✓Insulin Syringes (U-100, 1 mL)
Per injection: 1 syringe 8 weeks (once daily): ~56 syringes 16 weeks (once daily): ~112 syringes
✓Bacteriostatic Water (10 mL bottles)
Use ~3.0 mL per 50 mg vial for reconstitution.
8 weeks (3 vials): ~9 mL → 1–2 bottles Keep a spare bottle for top-ups
✓Alcohol Swabs
One for the vial stopper + one for the injection site each day.
Per injection: 2 swabs 8 weeks (once daily): ~112 swabs → 1–2 boxes
Storage Instructions
Correct storage is what preserves the peptide’s stability and activity.
▪Lyophilized: Hold the dry vial at −20 °C (−4 °F) in dry, dark conditions and limit moisture exposure[7]. ▪Reconstituted: Refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F) and use within about 28 days; do not freeze the mixed solution, as freezing can denature peptides[8]. ▪Handling: Let frozen vials warm to room temperature before opening so condensation won’t form, and keep the solution clear of heat and direct light. ▪Freeze–thaw: Avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles of the reconstituted solution.
03 · Good to know
Important Notes
Practical points that keep daily administration safe and consistent.
▪Sterile technique: Use a fresh sterile U-100 insulin syringe each time and drop it straight into a puncture-proof sharps container afterward. ▪Site rotation: Move between abdomen, thighs and upper arms to reduce local irritation and lipohypertrophy[9]. ▪Slow injection: Push the plunger slowly and pause a few seconds before withdrawing the needle to prevent backflow. ▪Recordkeeping: Log the daily dose, injection site and any observations to keep the protocol consistent. ▪Regulatory note: AICAR is prohibited by WADA (S4.5 metabolic modulators / AMPK activator, in- and out-of-competition since 2009) and is not FDA-approved for human use[10].
04 · How it works
How This Works
AICAR (5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide; also known as acadesine) is an AMP-mimetic — a small molecule that mimics AMP, the signal a cell produces when its energy is running low[1][2]. By imitating AMP it switches on the cell’s master energy sensor.
Its core mechanism is activation of AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase), the master regulator of cellular energy balance. Once activated, AMPK promotes fatty-acid oxidation and a shift toward oxidative, endurance-type muscle fibers — the changes that earned AICAR the “exercise mimetic” label[5][6].
The famous result is from a 2008 Salk Institute mouse study, in which sedentary mice given AICAR ran significantly longer than untreated mice[11]. Those rodents received 10–50 mg/kg — vastly higher, on a body-weight basis, than the 1–3 mg/day micro-doses on this page[12].
Important caveat: the endurance and fat-loss benefits have never been demonstrated in humans. As a drug (acadesine) AICAR reached Phase III cardioprotection trials but failed to gain approval. Performance and body-composition claims rest on rodent data and anecdote, and should be read as unproven hypotheses.
AICAR is not an approved medicine. It is an unapproved research chemical presented here for research and educational purposes only.
05 · Daily habits
Lifestyle Factors
Habits that may support endurance and metabolic goals alongside the protocol.
▪Nutrition: Support training with adequate protein and sensible carbohydrate timing around workouts. ▪Activity & rest: Endurance and resistance training are the proven drivers of the adaptations AICAR is claimed to mimic — pair them with real recovery time. ▪Sleep: Aim for 7–9 hours to support recovery and metabolic health. ▪Stress: Manage stress with evidence-based practices, since it influences metabolism and recovery.
06 · What to expect
Potential Benefits & Side Effects
What preclinical (mostly rodent) research describes; human efficacy is unproven and individual results vary.
Potential Benefits
▪Endurance (mouse only): A 2008 mouse study reported markedly improved running endurance in sedentary mice given AICAR via AMPK activation[5][6]. ▪Fat metabolism (preclinical): AMPK activation has been linked to increased fatty-acid oxidation and improved glucose uptake in animal and cell models[11]. ▪Clinical history (acadesine): Studied in humans as the cardioprotective drug acadesine, but it failed to gain regulatory approval. ▪Note on humans: The endurance and fat-loss benefits are not established in humans — the hype rests on rodent data at far higher doses[13].
Common Side Effects
▪Injection-site reactions: Mild redness, tenderness or soreness can occur; rotating sites helps. ▪Unknown long-term profile: Long-term human safety data is essentially absent, so caution is advised. ▪Sport restriction: AICAR is a WADA-prohibited substance (S4.5), banned in and out of competition.
07 · Injection technique
Injection Technique
General subcutaneous technique, following established clinical best-practice guidance[14][15].
Pre-Injection Preparation
▪Wash your hands well with soap and water. ▪Wipe the vial stopper with an alcohol swab and let it air-dry. ▪Choose a site (abdomen, thigh, or upper arm) and clean it with a fresh alcohol swab, letting it dry fully[15]. ▪Draw the intended dose, then check for air bubbles and push any out.
Injection Procedure
▪Pinch a skinfold at the chosen site between thumb and forefinger. ▪Insert the needle into the pinch at a 45–90-degree angle (use 45 degrees if the fat layer is thin)[14]. ▪Skip aspiration for subcutaneous shots — it isn’t needed[14]. ▪Press the plunger slowly and steadily until it’s fully down. ▪Wait 5–10 seconds, then pull the needle straight out to prevent leakage.
Post-Injection Care
▪Drop the used syringe straight into a puncture-proof sharps container — never recap a needle. ▪Return the reconstituted vial to the fridge right away. ▪Rotate the injection site each day to prevent irritation and lipohypertrophy[9]. ▪Watch the site for excess redness, swelling, or signs of infection.
08 · Where to source
Recommended Source
For high-purity research compounds, we point researchers to Prime Lab Peptides.
Why Prime Lab Peptides?
▪Top-rated on Trustpilot: Independently reviewed as the highest-rated peptide lab on Trustpilot — making it the best current source in the USA. ▪Third-party tested: Every batch ships with a Certificate of Analysis (COA) confirming purity and composition. ▪Consistent quality: ISO-aligned manufacturing and handling keep product integrity reliable batch to batch. ▪Cold-chain integrity: Temperature-controlled shipping and storage across the whole fulfilment chain. ▪Research-grade purity: Fit for educational and research use that demands high-quality peptides.
Note: Product availability and specifications subject to change. Verify current product details on supplier website.
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09 · The evidence
References
1
Cell Metabolism / Narkar et al.
AMPK and PPARδ agonists regulate the endurance phenotype; the foundational 2008 “exercise in a pill” work on AICAR.
View Source ↗ 2
Drug Testing and Analysis (PubMed)
Detection of AICAR (AICA-riboside) as an AMPK-activating performance-enhancing agent in doping control.
View Source ↗ 3
WADA Scientific Research
Research on AICAR as a metabolic modulator and AMPK activator relevant to anti-doping detection.
View Source ↗ 4
Racing Medication & Testing Consortium
Regulatory bulletin on AICAR and metabolic modulators in equine and human sports medicine.
View Source ↗ 5
Salk Institute / Cell (2008)
AICAR improved running endurance in sedentary mice — the original “exercise mimetic” finding.
View Source ↗ 6
Cell Metabolism (PubMed)
Role of AMPK in skeletal-muscle fatty-acid oxidation and the oxidative fiber-type shift.
View Source ↗ 7
Peptide Storage Guide
Best practices for storing lyophilized peptides (temperature, humidity and light protection).
View Source ↗ 8
Bacteriostatic Water Guidance
Bacteriostatic water for injection: multi-dose vial stability and handling.
View Source ↗ 9
NCBI Bookshelf
Best practices for subcutaneous injection: aseptic technique and site rotation.
View Source ↗ 10
WADA Prohibited List
Classification of AICAR / AMPK activators (S4.5 metabolic modulators) as prohibited in sport.
View Source ↗ 11
Diabetes / Endocrinology (PubMed)
AICAR-induced AMPK activation increases fatty-acid oxidation and glucose uptake in skeletal muscle.
View Source ↗ 12
European Heart Journal (PubMed)
Phase III cardioprotection trials of acadesine (AICAR) in cardiac surgery — did not reach approval.
View Source ↗ 13
ClinicalTrials.gov
Trial registry for acadesine (AICAR); no approved human indication for endurance or fat loss.
View Source ↗ 14
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Subcutaneous injection technique: angle, site and no-aspiration guidance.
View Source ↗ 15
Subcutaneous Injection Technique (Patient Education)
How to administer a subcutaneous injection: clinical technique guidelines.
View Source ↗ 16
Prime Lab Peptides
Prime Lab Peptides — research-compound supplier with purity specifications and certificates of analysis.
View Source ↗