Meta Information
ID:aicar
Name:
Schema Version:AIM-2.0
Interactions
Target id:
/class/antidiabetic-medications
Target name:
Diabetes Medications
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
AICAR strongly activates AMPK, which promotes glucose uptake into cells, similar to many diabetes drugs. Combining them can cause an additive effect, leading to dangerously low blood sugar (severe hypoglycemia).
Actionable advice:
Avoid using with other diabetes medications like metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors, or insulin due to a high risk of severe hypoglycemia.
Target id:
/condition/gout-hyperuricemia
Target name:
Gout or High Uric Acid
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
AICAR is broken down through the purine pathway, which significantly increases the production of uric acid. In individuals with a history of gout or high uric acid, this can trigger painful gout attacks or cause kidney stones.
Actionable advice:
Do not take AICAR if you have a history of gout or elevated uric acid levels.
Target id:
/condition/renal-impairment
Target name:
Kidney Disease
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
AICAR and its byproducts, including excess uric acid, are cleared by the kidneys. Impaired kidney function can lead to the accumulation of these substances to toxic levels, worsening both kidney damage and other side effects.
Actionable advice:
Avoid completely if you have any level of kidney or renal impairment.
Target id:
/condition/pregnancy
Target name:
Pregnancy
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
The effects of this potent metabolic modulator on fetal development are unknown and could be harmful. It interferes with fundamental cellular processes like growth and energy regulation.
Actionable advice:
AICAR is absolutely contraindicated during pregnancy.
Target id:
/condition/lactation
Target name:
Breastfeeding
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
It is not known if AICAR passes into breast milk, but due to its powerful effects on cellular metabolism, it poses a significant potential risk to a nursing infant.
Actionable advice:
Do not use AICAR while breastfeeding.
Target id:
/condition/heart-failure
Target name:
Heart Failure
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
AICAR has adenosine-like effects that can decrease heart rate and blood pressure, potentially worsening heart failure. Its inhibition of mTOR-driven protein synthesis may also impair the heart's ability to adapt and repair itself.
Actionable advice:
Avoid use if you have heart failure, as it may exacerbate the condition.
Target id:
/biomarker/uric-acid
Target name:
Uric Acid Levels
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
AICAR's metabolic breakdown directly and significantly increases the body's production of uric acid, a waste product linked to gout and kidney stones.
Actionable advice:
Regularly monitor uric acid blood levels while using AICAR; discontinue if levels rise significantly.
Target id:
/intervention/dipyridamole
Target name:
Dipyridamole
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Dipyridamole increases levels of adenosine, a signaling molecule. Since AICAR mimics adenosine, their combined use can cause excessive vasodilation, leading to a severe drop in blood pressure (hypotension) and slow heart rate (bradycardia).
Actionable advice:
Avoid this combination due to the high risk of severe cardiovascular side effects.
Target id:
/class/mtor-inhibitors
Target name:
mTOR Inhibitors (e.g., Rapamycin)
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
synergistic
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
AICAR activates AMPK, which naturally inhibits the mTOR pathway, while drugs like rapamycin inhibit mTOR directly. Using them together results in a powerful, dual-pronged suppression of mTOR, which could enhance intended effects but also increase side effects like impaired healing or immune suppression.
Actionable advice:
Be aware that this combination strongly inhibits mTOR, potentially amplifying both benefits and side effects.
Target id:
/intervention/intermittent-fasting
Target name:
Fasting or Caloric Restriction
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
synergistic
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Fasting naturally activates AMPK as cellular energy levels drop. AICAR artificially enhances this same pathway, potentially deepening the metabolic benefits of a fasted state but also increasing the risk of hypoglycemia.
Actionable advice:
Use with caution during fasting periods and monitor blood glucose closely to prevent it from dropping too low.
Target id:
/class/nephrotoxic-agents
Target name:
Drugs Harmful to Kidneys (e.g., NSAIDs)
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
AICAR increases uric acid, which can be stressful for the kidneys. Combining it with other drugs known to be hard on the kidneys (nephrotoxic) may compound the risk of kidney injury.
Actionable advice:
Use extreme caution when combining with other potentially kidney-damaging agents and monitor renal function.
Target id:
/dietary/purine-rich-foods
Target name:
High-Purine Foods
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Foods high in purines (like organ meats, sardines, and some game meats) are broken down into uric acid. Consuming these foods while taking AICAR adds to the already high uric acid load, increasing the risk of gout.
Actionable advice:
Strictly limit or avoid high-purine foods to minimize the risk of dangerously high uric acid levels.
Target id:
/dietary/alcohol-acute
Target name:
Alcohol
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Alcohol consumption can independently raise uric acid levels and increase the risk of hypoglycemia. These effects are additive with those of AICAR, increasing the risk of both gout and low blood sugar.
Actionable advice:
Avoid or strictly limit alcohol consumption while using AICAR.
Target id:
/intervention/exercise
Target name:
Exercise
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
synergistic
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
1
Hours after target:
0
Description:
Both strenuous exercise and AICAR are powerful activators of the AMPK pathway. Taking AICAR before a workout may enhance endurance and the metabolic benefits of exercise, but it is a banned performance-enhancing substance for this reason.
Actionable advice:
If used, taking it approximately one hour before exercise may amplify metabolic effects.