AICAR vs PT-141
Head-to-head comparison of AICAR (5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide Ribonucleotide (Acadesine)) and PT-141 (Bremelanotide (Melanocortin Receptor Agonist)) — benefits, dosing, side effects, research data, and where to buy.
| Property | AICAR | PT-141 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Performance | Performance |
| Full Name | 5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide Ribonucleotide (Acadesine) | Bremelanotide (Melanocortin Receptor Agonist) |
| Molecular Weight | 338.21 g/mol | 1,025.2 Da |
| Half-Life | ~2-3 hours | ~2.7 hours |
| Amino Acids | Nucleoside analog | 7 |
| Typical Dose | — | 1.75 mg |
| Route | — | SC |
| Purity | >99% | — |
| Studies Count | 180 | 178 |
| Research Status | Active Research | FDA Approved |
AICAR Benefits
- ✓Increases endurance capacity, enhances fatty acid oxidation, promotes mitochondrial biogenesis, improves glucose uptake, cardioprotective effects
PT-141 Benefits
- ✓Enhances sexual desire and arousal
- ✓Works through CNS (not vascular)
- ✓FDA-approved for HSDD
- ✓Effective for both men and women
- ✓Does not require sexual stimulation to work
AICAR Dosing
Research doses: 50-150 mg subcutaneously. Typically administered 30-60 minutes before physical activity in research settings.
PT-141 Dosing
Standard: 1.75 mg SC, 45 min before activity|Max frequency: Once every 24 hours|Max: 8 doses per month|Men (off-label): 1-2 mg SC as needed
AICAR Side Effects
- ⚠Potential hypoglycemia, lactic acidosis at high doses, injection site reactions. Banned by WADA as a metabolic modulator.
PT-141 Side Effects
- ⚠Common: Nausea (40%), flushing, headache, injection site reactions
- ⚠Moderate: Elevated blood pressure (transient), fatigue
- ⚠Serious: Focal hyperpigmentation with repeated use
- ⚠Contraindications: Uncontrolled hypertension, cardiovascular disease
Research Overview
AICAR
Salk Institute researchers demonstrated AICAR could increase endurance in sedentary mice by 44% without exercise training. Activates AMPK, triggering PGC-1α expression, mitochondrial biogenesis, and enhanced fatty acid β-oxidation.
PT-141
PT-141 has robust clinical evidence including multiple Phase III trials. FDA-approved in 2019. Unique mechanism of action through melanocortin-4 receptors in the brain. Well-characterized safety and efficacy profile.
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