Epitalon: dosing, reconstitution and evidence
A four-amino-acid peptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) derived from the pineal gland. Studied by Khavinson in Russia with claims of telomerase activation and extended lifespan.
Also known as Epithalon, Epithalamin, AEDG
Epitalon quick start
- Route
- SubQ
- Typical dose
- 5–10 mg
- Frequency
- Daily for 10–20 days
- Half-life
- Very short — minutes.
- Cycle
- 10–20 day courses, 2–3× per year.
- Vial sizes sold
- 50mg or 10mg
How to run it
- How often
- Daily for 10–20 days
- Cycle length
- 10–20 day courses, 2–3× per year.
- Half-life
- Very short — minutes.
- Route
- SubQ
What people actually run
Established in the longevity community, run in short courses a couple of times a year.
What to expect
Most people tolerate Epitalon well. Here is what is worth knowing going in, so nothing catches you by surprise.
Reconstitution guide
Epitalon ships as a lyophilised powder and gets mixed with bacteriostatic water before use. How much water you add sets the concentration, which sets how many syringe units make up each dose. One unit on a U-100 syringe is 0.01 mL — the tables below do the arithmetic for the vial sizes you are most likely to be holding.
50mg vial most common
| Water added | Concentration | 5mg | 10mg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2mL | 25 mg/mL | 0.20 mL 20 units | 0.40 mL 40 units |
| 5mL (common) | 10 mg/mL | 0.50 mL 50 units | 1.00 mL 100 units |
| 10mL | 5 mg/mL | 1.00 mL 100 units | 2.00 mL 200 units * |
10mg vial
| Water added | Concentration | 5mg | 10mg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2mL | 5 mg/mL | 1.00 mL 100 units | 2.00 mL 200 units * |
| 5mL (common) | 2 mg/mL | 2.50 mL 250 units * | 5.00 mL 500 units * |
| 10mL | 1 mg/mL | 5.00 mL 500 units * | 10.00 mL 1000 units * |
* More than 100 units — that is more than a single U-100 insulin syringe holds. Either use a larger syringe, split it across two draws, or mix with less water to concentrate it. Adding less water is usually the easier fix.
Standard steps
- Inspect the vialConfirm the label and that the powder cake is intact. Do not use a cracked or compromised vial.
- Let it reach room temperatureSitting out for a few minutes reduces condensation inside the vial when the seal is broken.
- Disinfect both stoppersWipe the compound vial and the bacteriostatic water vial with a fresh alcohol swab and let them air-dry.
- Draw the bacteriostatic waterUse a sterile syringe to draw the volume you have chosen from the reconstitution table.
- Add the water down the vial wallInject slowly so it runs down the inside wall rather than spraying directly onto the powder. This limits foaming.
- Dissolve gentlySwirl or roll the vial between your hands until the cake dissolves. Never shake — agitation damages peptide bonds. The solution should end up clear.
- Label and refrigerateWrite the reconstitution date and concentration on the vial. Store at 2–8°C. Do not freeze.
This page is an educational research reference and is not medical advice. Epitalon is not approved for human use in any jurisdiction. Dose figures reflect the published record and what the community has converged on — starting points to weigh, not instructions. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any protocol.