Epitalon dosage and protocol
Epitalon (Epithalon) is a synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) derived from epithalamin, a natural polypeptide of the pineal gland. It has been reported to activate telomerase and promote telomere elongation in cultured cells, to support melatonin production and circadian rhythm regulation, and to show geroprotective and lifespan-extending effects in preclinical animal models. Human evidence is limited to small studies, mostly from one research group, and has not been independently replicated.
- Vial size: 10 mg
- Reconstitution: 2 mL bacteriostatic water
- Concentration: 5 mg/mL
- Administration: subcutaneous
Research areas
- Anti-Aging
- Longevity
- Telomere Health
- Sleep Quality
- Circadian Rhythm
- Immune Modulation
Quick start
- Reconstitute: Add 2.0 mL bacteriostatic water → 5 mg/mL concentration
- Standard dose: 5,000 mcg (5 mg) once daily for 20 consecutive days
- Easy measuring: At 5 mg/mL, 1 unit = 0.01 mL = 50 mcg on a U-100 syringe
- Storage: Lyophilized at −20°C; after reconstitution, refrigerate at 2–8°C; avoid freeze–thaw cycles
Dosing protocol
| Phase | Dose | Frequency | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days 1–20 (Cycle On) | 5000 mcg (5 mg) | Once daily at bedtime (SC) | 1.00 mL (100 units) |
| Weeks 4–26 (Cycle Off) | 0 mcg | Off-cycle (4–6 months) | — |
How it works
Epitalon (also spelled Epithalon) is a synthetic tetrapeptide, Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly, developed by Vladimir Khavinson's group as a simplified version of epithalamin, a peptide extract of the pineal gland. It is proposed to act as a gene-regulating bioregulator: short peptides of this kind are thought to enter cells and interact with chromatin, influencing expression of specific genes rather than binding a classic membrane receptor. The most cited finding is that Epitalon induced telomerase activity and telomere elongation in cultured human somatic cells (including fibroblasts) in laboratory studies. In aged animals it has been reported to restore melatonin secretion rhythms, normalize some neuroendocrine and reproductive markers, increase antioxidant enzyme activity, and in rodent and fruit-fly studies extend mean lifespan and reduce the incidence of spontaneous tumors. Human evidence is limited to small studies from the same research school, mainly in elderly people in Russia, reporting improvements in melatonin rhythms and some functional and cardiovascular markers, sometimes using the parent extract epithalamin rather than Epitalon itself. These studies were small and not independently replicated in large controlled trials. Epitalon is not approved as a medicine, and claims of lifespan extension or cancer prevention in humans are not established.
Reconstitution steps
- Draw 2.0 mL bacteriostatic water with a sterile syringe
- Inject slowly down the vial wall; avoid foaming
- Gently swirl/roll until dissolved (do not shake)
- Label and refrigerate at 2–8°C, protected from light
Storage
Store lyophilized at −20°C. After reconstitution, refrigerate at 2–8°C and use within 2–4 weeks. Avoid freeze–thaw cycles.
Important notes
- Research use only
- 20 consecutive days on, 4–6 months off — typically 2 cycles per year
- Administer at bedtime to align with natural melatonin rhythm
- Alternative: 10 mg/day for 10 days (same total 100 mg cycle dose)
- Reconstitute one vial at a time (every 2 days) to keep solutions fresh
- Generally well tolerated — no serious adverse events reported in long-term studies
Supplies
- Bacteriostatic water
- Insulin syringes (U-100)
- Alcohol swabs
- Sharps container