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5-Amino-1-MQ dosage and protocol
Last reviewed Oct 7, 2026. Editorial policy
5-Amino-1-methylquinolinium is a small molecule inhibitor of NNMT (Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase), an enzyme involved in fat storage and metabolic regulation. Studied for its ability to promote fat loss, enhance metabolic rate, and potentially support muscle preservation without hormonal side effects.
- Vial size: 50 mg
- Reconstitution: 4 mL bacteriostatic water
- Concentration: 12.5 mg/mL
- Administration: subcutaneous
Research areas
- Fat Loss
- Metabolic Health
- Weight Management
- Body Recomposition
Quick start
- Reconstitute: Add 4.0 mL bacteriostatic water → 12.5 mg/mL concentration
- Typical daily range: 2.5–5 mg once or twice daily (subcutaneous)
- Easy measuring: At 12.5 mg/mL, 1 unit = 0.01 mL = 0.125 mg (125 mcg) on a U-100 syringe
- Storage: Lyophilized at −20°C; after reconstitution, refrigerate at 2–8°C and use within 2–4 weeks
Dosing protocol
| Phase | Dose | Frequency | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days 1–2 (Tolerance) | 2500 mcg (2.5 mg) | Once daily (SC) | 0.20 mL (20 units) |
| Days 3+ (Standard) | 5000 mcg (5 mg) | Once daily (SC) | 0.40 mL (40 units) |
How it works
5-Amino-1-methylquinolinium (5-Amino-1-MQ) is a small, membrane-permeable quinolinium compound rather than a true peptide. It acts as a selective inhibitor of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT), an enzyme that is highly expressed in white adipose tissue and liver. NNMT transfers a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine onto nicotinamide, a reaction that consumes methyl donors and diverts nicotinamide away from the NAD+ salvage pathway. By blocking NNMT, 5-Amino-1-MQ is proposed to raise intracellular NAD+ and S-adenosylmethionine levels in fat cells, which in turn may increase sirtuin activity and cellular energy expenditure while reducing lipogenesis. In cultured adipocytes, NNMT inhibition reduced lipid accumulation. In diet-induced obese mice, the compound reduced body weight and white fat mass and lowered plasma cholesterol without a meaningful change in food intake. Separate work in aged mice suggested NNMT inhibition can activate muscle stem cells and improve muscle regeneration after injury. All published evidence is preclinical (cell culture and rodent studies). No controlled human trials have been reported, so effective dosing, long-term safety and real-world fat-loss effects in people are unknown. Most published work used oral or systemic dosing in animals; the subcutaneous protocol described here is not derived from clinical data.
Units chart for a 50 mg vial
| Water added | Strength | 1 unit = | 2.5 mg | 5 mg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mL | 50 mg/mL | 500 mcg | 5 units | 10 units |
| 2 mL | 25 mg/mL | 250 mcg | 10 units | 20 units |
| 3 mL | 16.67 mg/mL | 166.7 mcg | 15 units | 30 units |
| 4 mL | 12.5 mg/mL | 125 mcg | 20 units | 40 units |
Units on a U-100 insulin syringe (100 units = 1 mL).
Pages for each vial size and water volume
Reconstitution steps
- Allow vial to equilibrate at room temperature for 15–20 minutes from freezer
- Draw 4.0 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; use within 2–4 weeks
Storage
Evidence: Unknown. We found no usable data.
- Powder or unopened: Not a peptide; usually sold as capsules. No published storage data.
- Mixed or in use: Not usually reconstituted.
- Use within: no tested number
- Light: Unknown.
Most reconstituted peptides are kept in the refrigerator (2–8 °C) and used within about 28 days. That is a convention, not tested data: the 28 days comes from the USP <797> limit for opened multiple-dose containers, which is about sterility, not about whether the peptide stays intact.
Store lyophilized at −20°C. After reconstitution, refrigerate at 2–8°C and use within 2–4 weeks. Do not refreeze reconstituted solution.
Important notes
- Research use only
- NNMT inhibitor — novel mechanism for fat loss
- May enhance mitochondrial function
- Often stacked with GLP-1 peptides for synergistic fat loss
Supplies
- Bacteriostatic water
- Insulin syringes (U-100)