# AICAR

*Also known as: Acadesine, 5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide*

AMPK-activating nucleotide studied as an exercise mimetic for endurance and metabolic research.

## Overview

AICAR (5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide, also called acadesine) is a nucleotide that directly activates AMPK, the cellular energy sensor often triggered by exercise. That has earned it the exercise-mimetic label in preclinical work, where it improved endurance and metabolic markers in sedentary mice. The mechanism is real and well-characterized, but translating it to humans is another matter. AICAR has an estimated half-life of roughly five hours and around 50% bioavailability. Human pharmacokinetic and efficacy data is very limited. AICAR has been investigated clinically as acadesine for cardiac surgery ischemia, but not for the metabolic and performance uses that drive most interest. WADA prohibits it in sport.

## Pharmacokinetics

- **Model tier:** simple
- **Half-life:** 0.2 days (4.800000000000001 hours)
- **Bioavailability:** 50%

## Dosing

- **Default dose:** 25 mg
- **Typical range:** 10–50 mg
- **Units:** ng/mL

## Detection time (anti-doping)

- **Window:** 2–5 days post-last-dose
- **Target metabolite:** AICAR (5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide)
- **Assay:** LC-MS/MS
- **Notes:** WADA prohibits AMPK activators under S4.4.1, detected in urine by LC-MS. AICAR occurs endogenously at low levels; WADA research has established thresholds to distinguish doping from natural production.

## Source

- **Label:** Estimated (preclinical)
- **Notes:** AMPK activator ("exercise in a pill"); human PK limited. Narkar et al. 2008 Cell.

**Tags:** metabolic, muscle-building

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**Canonical URL:** https://anabolicdex.com/compounds/aicar
**Plot:** https://anabolicdex.com/plot?compound=aicar