What is the difference between AICAR and BAM15?

AICAR: AICAR (acadesine / AICA riboside) is a purine nucleoside analog and AMP-mimetic — not a peptide — that activates AMPK. Studied in registered human trials under the name acadesine (for cardioprotection... BAM15: BAM15 is a synthetic small-molecule mitochondrial uncoupler (protonophore) — not a peptide — studied preclinically for obesity and metabolic disease as a potentially safer alternative to DNP. It has n...

What does the research say about AICAR vs BAM15?

AICAR: As acadesine, AICAR was tested in registered human trials by IV infusion: the large RED-CABG cardioprotection trial (JAMA 2012) was stopped for futility, and a Phase I/II study in relapsed/refractory CLL established 210 mg/kg IV as the optimal dose. No human trial evaluated AICAR for exercise, fat loss, or longevity, and no validated non-IV dosing… BAM15: In diet-induced obese mice, BAM15 reduced fat mass and improved insulin sensitivity without changing food intake or lean mass (Nature Communications 2020); other mouse work shows benefit in diabetes, and in sepsis/acute kidney injury. Rodent PK is ~67% oral bioavailability with a ~1.7 h half-life; there is no human PK, safety, or dosing data. Not a…

AICAR vs BAM15

Q: Can you stack AICAR and BAM15?

AICAR (metabolic) and BAM15 (metabolic) are in the same category and may have overlapping mechanisms — researchers should review both profiles carefully before combining. Consult a licensed provider before combining any compounds.

Head-to-head comparison of AICAR and BAM15 — mechanism, side effects, legal status, and pricing.

AICAR

AICAR (acadesine / AICA riboside) is a purine nucleoside analog and AMP-mimetic — not a peptide — that activates AMPK. Studied in registered human trials under the name acadesine (for cardioprotection and leukemia, not performance), it is not FDA-approved for any indication and is WADA-prohibited at all times. It is sold on the gray market as an "exercise mimetic."

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BAM15

BAM15 is a synthetic small-molecule mitochondrial uncoupler (protonophore) — not a peptide — studied preclinically for obesity and metabolic disease as a potentially safer alternative to DNP. It has never been tested in humans, has no regulatory approval, and was added to the WADA Prohibited List as an AMPK activator. It is sold as a gray-market research chemical.

Profile Prices Testing

AICAR

BAM15

Where Researchers Are Buying

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COA-verified vendors · trust score ≥70 required · single-vial price — bulk/bundle deals may be lower

AICAR

Best $/mg

$0.800/mg

Kimera ChemsC

2 trusted vendors listing

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BAM15

Best $/mg

$0.020/mg

Kimera ChemsC

1 trusted vendor listing

Compare all 1 vendor

Lab Verification

COA corpus from Disclosed Labs — independently tested batches only.

AICAR

COAs

99.3%

Avg purity

Labs

Full testing data

BAM15

COAs

99.1%

Avg purity

Labs

Full testing data

AICAR Research Summary

As acadesine, AICAR was tested in registered human trials by IV infusion: the large RED-CABG cardioprotection trial (JAMA 2012) was stopped for futility, and a Phase I/II study in relapsed/refractory CLL established 210 mg/kg IV as the optimal dose. No human trial evaluated AICAR for exercise, fat loss, or longevity, and no validated non-IV dosing exists. Not FDA-approved; not a peptide.

Key references

BAM15 Research Summary

In diet-induced obese mice, BAM15 reduced fat mass and improved insulin sensitivity without changing food intake or lean mass (Nature Communications 2020); other mouse work shows benefit in diabetes, and in sepsis/acute kidney injury. Rodent PK is ~67% oral bioavailability with a ~1.7 h half-life; there is no human PK, safety, or dosing data. Not approved; not a peptide.

Key references

Can you stack AICAR and BAM15?

AICAR and BAM15 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.

Other comparisons

AICAR vs MOTS-c BAM15 vs MOTS-c AICAR vs AOD-9604 AOD-9604 vs BAM15 5-Amino-1MQ vs AICAR 5-Amino-1MQ vs BAM15 AICAR vs NAD+BAM15 vs NAD+

This platform provides informational tools only, not medical advice. This comparison is for educational purposes only. Consult a licensed provider.