Meta Information

ID:aicar

Name:AICAR

Schema Version:1.5

Alternate Names

• Acadesine
• 5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide

Intervention Type

therapeutic_agent

Expected Cost Mean

Low Cost:

500

High Cost:

2000

Cost Type:

monthly

Description:

Extremely high cost for a grey-market, research-grade chemical.

Summary

AICAR is a potent activator of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a master regulator of cellular energy homeostasis. By mimicking a low-energy state, it stimulates glucose uptake and fatty acid oxidation, earning it the nickname 'exercise in a pill'. Its relevance to longevity is purely theoretical, based on the central role of the AMPK pathway in metabolic health and stress resistance, but it lacks human data for this purpose.

Purpose

An experimental AMPK activator that mimics the metabolic effects of exercise.

Card Summary

An experimental AMPK activator that mimics the metabolic effects of exercise, often called 'exercise in a pill.'

Drug Class

ampk-activator

Drugs In Class

Empty Array

Impact

Score:

2.5

Justification:

Potent AMPK activator, but lacks human healthspan data and has poor bioavailability.

Evidence

Grade:

C

Score:

2

Justification:

Strong mechanistic and animal data, but virtually no human longevity or safety trials.

Safety

Score:

9

Justification:

Unapproved research chemical with unknown long-term effects and unregulated sourcing.

Flags

• Not approved for human consumption; sourced as a 'research chemical'.
• Banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
• Potential for profound metabolic disruption and unknown long-term side effects.
• Theoretical concerns about altering nucleotide pools, potentially impacting cancer risk.
• Extremely poor oral bioavailability requires injection for systemic effects.

Verdict

A high-risk research chemical with no proven human healthspan benefits.

Created

2026-04-26T01:02:22.761073Z

Model

Gemini 3.1 Pro (High)

Delivery

Route:

subcutaneous_injection

Scope:

• systemic

Indication

Focus:

healthspan

Description:

AICAR is a potent activator of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a master regulator of cellular energy homeostasis. By mimicking a low-energy state, it stimulates glucose uptake and fatty acid oxid...

Typical Protocol

• No established protocol exists for human healthspan; this is a research chemical not approved for human use.