Informational only. Not medical advice.INFORMATIONAL PLATFORM ONLY — NOT MEDICAL ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS, OR TREATMENT
Informational only. Not medical advice.INFORMATIONAL PLATFORM ONLY — NOT MEDICAL ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS, OR TREATMENT
Head-to-head comparison of 5-Amino-1MQ and Cardarine (GW-501516) — mechanism, side effects, legal status, and pricing.
5-Amino-1MQ is a small heterocyclic molecule (not a peptide) that acts as a selective, membrane-permeable inhibitor of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT). It is under preclinical investigation for obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. It is not FDA-approved and has not completed human clinical trials; it is commonly tracked alongside peptides because grey-market vendors sell it for metabolic protocols.
Cardarine (GW-501516) is a synthetic small-molecule PPARδ agonist — not a SARM and not a peptide, despite gray-market marketing that groups it with SARMs. Developed by GSK and taken into human lipid trials, its clinical development was discontinued around 2007 after rodent carcinogenicity findings. It has no regulatory approval anywhere, is WADA-prohibited at all times, and is sold only as a gray-market research chemical.
5-Amino-1MQ
Cardarine (GW-501516)
Category
Legal Status
Mechanism
Half-life
Side Effects
COA-verified vendors · trust score ≥70 required · single-vial price — bulk/bundle deals may be lower
5-Amino-1MQ
Cardarine (GW-501516)
COA corpus from Disclosed Labs — independently tested batches only.
5-Amino-1MQ
80
COAs
99.5%
Avg purity
12
Labs
Cardarine (GW-501516)
2
COAs
99.7%
Avg purity
1
Labs
Neelakantan et al. (2018, Biochem Pharmacol, PMID 29155147) reported that 5-Amino-1MQ and related selective, membrane-permeable methylquinolinium NNMT inhibitors reversed high-fat-diet-induced obesity in mice, reducing body weight, white adipose mass, adipocyte size, and plasma cholesterol without changing food intake. A separate NNMT inhibitor program (Kannt et al., 2018, Sci Rep, PMID 29483571, JBSNF-000088) produced similar metabolic effects in rodents. Dimet-Wiley et al. (2022, Sci Rep, PMID 35013352) reported microbiome changes with NNMT inhibition plus low-fat diet in DIO mice, and Babula et al. (2024, Diabetes Obes Metab, PMID 39161060) showed 5A1MQ dose-dependently limited weight and fat gain and reduced NAFLD-like liver pathology in DIO mice. No human clinical trials of 5-Amino-1MQ have been completed or published as of 2026; grey-market oral protocols are not clinically validated.
Key references
Completed GSK-sponsored human trials in low-HDL/dyslipidemia subjects (2.5–10 mg/day, 12 weeks) improved lipids (HDL-C +16.9%, triglycerides −16.9%, LDL −7.3%; Sprecher et al., 2012). GSK halted development around 2007 after a 2-year rodent carcinogenicity study reported tumors across multiple organs; a 2019 mouse study found GW-501516 accelerated colitis-associated colorectal cancer. A published human case report documented severe rhabdomyolysis and hepatotoxicity from self-administration. Never approved for any indication; not a peptide.
Key references
5-Amino-1MQ and Cardarine (GW-501516) are both in the Metabolic category and may have overlapping mechanisms. Researchers should review both profiles carefully, understand the mechanisms of action, and monitor the relevant biomarkers when combining compounds in the same class. As always, consult a licensed healthcare provider before making any decisions about combining research compounds.
This platform provides informational tools only, not medical advice. This comparison is for educational purposes only. Consult a licensed provider.
Contraindications
Lab Testing
Disclosed Labs