Epithalon dosage and protocol
Last reviewed Oct 7, 2026. Editorial policy
US regulatory status: Advisory panel backed, FDA decision pending
Epithalon (Epitalon) is a tetrapeptide studied extensively by Russian scientist Vladimir Khavinson for its proposed anti-aging effects. It has been reported to activate telomerase and lengthen telomeres in cultured human cells, and to extend lifespan in preclinical animal studies. It is also reported to promote melatonin production and normalize circadian rhythms. Effects on cancer risk and on human lifespan are not established, and human evidence is limited.
- Vial size: 10 mg
- Reconstitution: 2 mL bacteriostatic water
- Concentration: 5.0 mg/mL
- Administration: subcutaneous
Research areas
- Anti-Aging
- Telomere Extension
- Longevity
- Sleep Quality
- Cancer Prevention
Quick start
- Reconstitute: Add 2.0mL bacteriostatic water → 5mg/mL concentration
- Typical daily dose: 5000mcg (5mg) once daily for 20 consecutive days
- Easy measuring: At 5mg/mL, 1 unit = 0.01mL = 50mcg 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 (SC) | 1.00 mL (100 units) |
| Weeks 4–26 (Cycle Off) | 0 | 4–6 month break | — |
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.
Units chart for a 10 mg vial
| Water added | Strength | 1 unit = | 5 mg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mL | 10 mg/mL | 100 mcg | 50 units |
| 2 mL | 5 mg/mL | 50 mcg | 100 units |
| 3 mL | 3.33 mg/mL | 33.3 mcg | over 1 mL |
Units on a U-100 insulin syringe (100 units = 1 mL).
Pages for each vial size and water volume
Reconstitution steps
- Draw 2.0mL 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
Evidence: Common practice. What vendors and users usually do. No published stability testing supports a specific number.
- Powder or unopened: Sealed powder: freezer (about −20 °C) for long-term storage, refrigerator for weeks. Let the vial reach room temperature before opening.
- Mixed or in use: Refrigerator, 2–8 °C. Do not freeze and thaw repeatedly.
- Use within: no tested number
- Light: Keep it in the box or another dark container.
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.
Sources: Crestigen: Peptide storage and handling guide; USP General Chapter <797> Pharmaceutical Compounding: Sterile Preparations
Store lyophilized at −20°C. After reconstitution, refrigerate at 2–8°C and use within 1–2 weeks. Avoid freeze–thaw cycles.
Important notes
- Research use only
- One of the most studied anti-aging peptides (40+ years of research)
- Run 10-20 day courses twice per year
- Activates telomerase — may reverse cellular aging
- Promotes melatonin production and circadian rhythm normalization
Supplies
- Bacteriostatic water
- Insulin syringes
- Alcohol swabs