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 AICAR and Cardarine (GW-501516) — mechanism, side effects, legal status, and pricing.
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."
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.
AICAR
Cardarine (GW-501516)
Category
Legal Status
Mechanism
Side Effects
COA-verified vendors · trust score ≥70 required · single-vial price — bulk/bundle deals may be lower
AICAR
Cardarine (GW-501516)
COA corpus from Disclosed Labs — independently tested batches only.
AICAR
3
COAs
99.3%
Avg purity
3
Labs
Cardarine (GW-501516)
2
COAs
99.7%
Avg purity
1
Labs
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
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.
AICAR 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