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 Meldonium — mechanism, dosing, 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."
Meldonium (Mildronate) is a small-molecule carnitine-biosynthesis inhibitor and anti-ischemic metabolic modulator — not a peptide. It is an approved prescription drug for cardiovascular indications in several ex-Soviet states but is not FDA- or EMA-approved, and it is WADA-prohibited (added January 2016, of Sharapova notoriety). It is also sold as a gray-market research chemical.
AICAR
Meldonium
Category
Legal Status
Mechanism
Dose Range
Route
Frequency
COA-verified vendors · trust score ≥70 required · single-vial price — bulk/bundle deals may be lower
AICAR
Meldonium
No pricing data yet.
Check Meldonium prices →COA corpus from Disclosed Labs — independently tested batches only.
AICAR
3
COAs
99.3%
Avg purity
3
Labs
Meldonium
2
COAs
99.9%
Avg purity
2
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
In rat ischemia-reperfusion models, meldonium (100–200 mg/kg) reduced myocardial infarct size ~30% and protected liver, brain, and endothelial function. In humans it is used clinically (in approving markets) for chronic heart failure and angina at 500 mg twice daily, but there is no FDA/EMA-registered pivotal efficacy trial. Urinary detection persists for weeks-to-months, central to doping cases. Not FDA/EMA-approved; not a peptide.
AICAR and Meldonium 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.
Dosing Notes
Side Effects
Contraindications
Lab Testing
Disclosed Labs