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 Cardarine (GW-501516) and Meldonium — mechanism, side effects, legal status, and pricing.
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.
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.
Cardarine (GW-501516)
Meldonium
Category
Legal Status
Mechanism
Side Effects
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Cardarine (GW-501516)
Meldonium
No pricing data yet.
Check Meldonium prices →COA corpus from Disclosed Labs — independently tested batches only.
Cardarine (GW-501516)
2
COAs
99.7%
Avg purity
1
Labs
Meldonium
2
COAs
99.9%
Avg purity
2
Labs
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.
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.
Cardarine (GW-501516) 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.
Contraindications
Lab Testing
Disclosed Labs