AICAR Technical Specification Sheet
Complete chemical, physical and handling data for AICAR as supplied — CAS number, molecular formula, purity, solubility, storage and anti-doping status.
This sheet describes AICAR as manufactured and supplied. Batch-specific analytical results are reported separately on the Certificate of Analysis issued with each lot. Supplied for laboratory and research use only.
AICAR is prohibited in sport at all times
AICAR has been on the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List since 2009, classified as an AMPK activator under Hormone and Metabolic Modulators. It is banned both in competition and out of competition, and validated laboratory methods exist to distinguish administered AICAR from the compound your body makes naturally. Any athlete subject to anti-doping rules should treat this as disqualifying regardless of source or intent.
AICAR, also called acadesine or AICA-riboside, is a nucleoside analogue rather than a peptide. It is a single small molecule built on a ribose sugar, and it enters cells through adenosine transporters.
Once inside, it is phosphorylated to ZMP, which mimics AMP closely enough to activate AMP-activated protein kinase. That is the entire basis for its use in metabolic research, and it is also why anti-doping authorities treat it the way they do.
This page is the technical reference — identity, purity, handling and storage. It is a specification, not a research summary.
Product Identification
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Product Name | AICAR |
| Product Code | PCR-AICAR-50 |
| Compound Type | Small molecule — nucleoside analogue; not a peptide |
| IUPAC Name | 5-Amino-1-[(2R,3R,4S,5R)-3,4-dihydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)oxolan-2-yl]-1H-imidazole-4-carboxamide |
| Synonyms / Other Names | Acadesine; AICA-riboside; 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside; ZMP precursor |
| Molecular Target | AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), via intracellular conversion to ZMP |
| Physical Form | Lyophilized powder, single vial |
| Research Category | Metabolic research compound |
Chemical & Physical Properties
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| CAS Number | 2627-69-2 (nucleoside) |
| PubChem CID | 17513 |
| Molecular Formula | C9H14N4O5 |
| Molecular Weight | 258.23 g/mol |
| Appearance | White to off-white powder |
| Physical State | Lyophilized solid |
| Purity | ≥ 99% by HPLC |
AICAR and ZMP Are Not the Same Compound
This is the single most common identity error on AICAR listings, and it produces molecular weights that differ by 80 g/mol.
AICAR — the riboside, CAS 2627-69-2, C9H14N4O5, 258.23 g/mol. This is what ships in the vial. It is biologically inert until a cell takes it up.
ZMP — the ribonucleotide, CAS 3031-94-5, at roughly 338 g/mol. This is the phosphorylated form made inside cells by adenosine kinase, and it is the species that actually mimics AMP. It is also a naturally occurring intermediate in purine biosynthesis, which is why anti-doping testing needs isotope-ratio methods rather than simple detection.
How to spot a bad listing
Several suppliers pair the riboside's CAS number with the nucleotide's molecular weight, or quote a formula containing phosphorus alongside 258.23. If a listing shows a P in the formula, it is describing ZMP, not the material sold as AICAR.
Solubility & Reconstitution
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Solubility | Freely soluble in water (specification > 7 mg/mL); slightly soluble in DMSO |
| Recommended Diluent | Bacteriostatic water — supplied complimentary with every order |
| Solution Handling | Prepare fresh, keep cold, protect from light, and avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles |
Our vials hold 3 ml. A 50 mg vial taken to that full working volume gives roughly 16.7 mg/mL, which is the practical ceiling for a single-vial stock — the reconstitution calculator works out any target concentration within that limit. Unlike the lipid-conjugated peptides in this catalogue, AICAR should give a clear solution.
Storage & Stability
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Storage — Sealed Vial | Freeze at ≤ −20 °C, sealed, away from light and moisture |
| Shelf Life — Sealed | Approximately 24 months under recommended storage conditions |
| Storage — After Reconstitution | Refrigerate at 2–8 °C, protected from light |
| In-Use Period | 28–30 days after reconstitution |
| Conditions to Avoid | Heat, direct light, moisture, and repeated freeze-thaw cycles |
Costa Rica's humidity makes storage a live concern rather than a formality. Let a frozen vial reach room temperature fully before breaking the seal, or condensation forms inside it. There is more in storing peptides in tropical climates.
Quality Assurance & Documentation
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Analytical Method | Reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) |
| Batch Testing | Independent third-party analysis for identity, purity, and contaminants |
| Certificate of Analysis | Issued per batch — searchable in the COA database |
| Batch / Lot Number | Printed on the vial label and shown on the accompanying Certificate of Analysis |
Regulatory & Anti-Doping Status
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Intended Use | Research Use Only (RUO) — laboratory, analytical, and scientific applications |
| Uses Advised Against | Not for human or veterinary use. Not a drug, food, cosmetic, dietary supplement, or household product. Not for diagnostic or therapeutic use. |
| Anti-Doping Status | Prohibited in sport. Listed by WADA as an AMPK activator under Hormone and Metabolic Modulators (S4), banned in and out of competition since 2009 |
| Regulatory Status | Not approved or licensed by the U.S. FDA, the EMA, or Costa Rica's Ministerio de Salud for any use. Earlier human programmes in cardiac surgery and haematology did not lead to approval. |
| Distribution | Supplied within Costa Rica |
Vial Size & PDF Download
AICAR is stocked in a single size. The PDF is a print-ready version of this sheet, suitable for filing with research records or attaching to a purchase order.
| Vial Size | Product Code | Product Page | Specification PDF |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 mg | PCR-AICAR-50 | AICAR 50mg | Download PDF |
Current pricing and stock are on the AICAR product page, and there is background on the mechanism in the complete guide. Related compounds sit under peptides for energy.
Common Questions
Is AICAR banned by WADA?
Yes, and it has been since 2009. It sits under Hormone and Metabolic Modulators as an AMPK activator, prohibited both in competition and out of competition. Because the body produces AICA-ribonucleotide naturally, testing labs use carbon isotope ratio methods to separate administered material from endogenous, so "it occurs naturally" is not a defence.
Is AICAR a peptide?
No. It is a nucleoside analogue — a ribose sugar attached to an imidazole carboxamide, with a molecular weight of 258. Peptides are chains of amino acids and are typically far heavier. It is stocked alongside peptides because of the research context, not because of what it is.
What is the difference between AICAR and ZMP?
AICAR is the riboside at 258.23 g/mol and is what ships in the vial. ZMP is its phosphorylated form at roughly 338 g/mol, produced inside cells by adenosine kinase, and is the species that actually mimics AMP. Listings that mix the two produce molecular weights that are wrong by about 80 g/mol.
How much diluent can a 50 mg vial take?
Our vials hold 3 ml, so that is the ceiling. Filling to 3 ml gives roughly 16.7 mg/mL. Figures you may see elsewhere suggesting 5 ml or more would require decanting into a separate container.
Should the reconstituted solution be clear?
Yes. AICAR is not lipid-conjugated, so unlike the GLP-1 compounds it should dissolve to a clear solution. Persistent cloudiness is worth investigating rather than expecting.
Has AICAR ever been an approved medicine?
No. It was studied in humans for cardioprotection during coronary bypass surgery and later in haematology, but neither programme resulted in approval. It holds no marketing authorisation anywhere.
Is this a Certificate of Analysis?
No. This sheet states the specification every batch must meet. The Certificate of Analysis reports what one specific lot actually measured, with a lot number and test date. If you need to document the exact material you received, you need the COA.
Is AICAR legal in Costa Rica?
It is supplied within Costa Rica for laboratory and research use only, and holds no marketing authorisation from Costa Rica's Ministerio de Salud. Separately from national law, it is prohibited in sport worldwide. We do not ship internationally.
Questions about AICAR specifications?
If you need a batch certificate, documentation in a specific format for an institutional purchase, or clarification on anything in this sheet, get in touch. We answer every message personally.
Contact Us on WhatsAppBack to all specification sheets
Important disclaimer: The information on this page is general educational and technical content only. It is not medical advice, a prescription, or a personalized recommendation. This specification sheet describes the product as supplied and does not constitute a Certificate of Analysis or a Safety Data Sheet. AICAR is not approved or licensed by the U.S. FDA, the EMA, or Costa Rica's Ministerio de Salud for any use, and its safety profile in humans is not established. AICAR is on the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List as an AMPK activator and is banned both in and out of competition; athletes subject to anti-doping rules should treat any use as a violation regardless of source. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before beginning any research protocol. Products sold by Peptides Costa Rica are intended for laboratory and research purposes only.
