Drug companion protocol
MOTS-c
A mitochondrial-derived peptide studied for AMPK-linked metabolic regulation, insulin sensitivity, and exercise/metabolic adaptation in preclinical research.
Quickstart Highlights
- Drug class
- Mitochondrial-derived peptide
- Route
- Subcutaneous injection
- Schedule
- Editorial research protocol reference describes daily subcutaneous titration; no approved human dosing label exists
- Evidence score
- 22
Quickstart highlights
- 💉Subcutaneous injection
- 🔬Mitochondrial-derived peptide
- 🧪Lyophilised powder — requires reconstitution with bacteriostatic water
How this works
Mechanism of action and pharmacokinetic profile from published data.
MOTS-c is a 16-amino-acid mitochondrial-derived peptide studied as a metabolic stress signal. Proposed mechanisms include AMPK activation, altered folate-cycle signaling, glucose uptake, fatty-acid oxidation, and stress-response gene regulation.
- Time to peak (Tmax)
- Not established.
- Clearance
- Not characterised in an approved human prescribing label.
- Elimination half-life
- Not established in an approved human prescribing label.
- Bioavailability
- Editorial protocol pages discuss subcutaneous administration; human clinical PK is not established.
Dosing & Reconstitution Guide
Full preparation, protocol, and administration reference for compounded lyophilised formulations.
Protocol overview
Editorial research protocol reference describes daily subcutaneous titration; no approved human dosing label exists.
Dose escalation phases
Editorial MOTS-c 20 mg vial titration reference
| Phase | Dose | Frequency | Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1-2 Week 1-2 | 0.2 mg | once daily | Editorial starter reference. Not approved dosing; monitor under research or clinician direction only. |
| Weeks 3-4 Week 3-4 | 0.4 mg | once daily | Editorial gradual titration reference. Do not escalate based on this table as medical advice. |
| Weeks 5-6 Week 5-6 | 0.6 mg | once daily | Editorial gradual titration reference. Do not escalate based on this table as medical advice. |
| Weeks 7-8 Week 7-8 | 0.8 mg | once daily | Editorial gradual titration reference. Do not escalate based on this table as medical advice. |
| Weeks 9-10+ Week 9+ | 1 mg | once daily | Editorial upper reference. No approved maintenance duration exists. |
Supplies needed
- ◦Research vial and diluent — Use the vial size and bacteriostatic water volume described by the applicable research protocol or compounder.
Editorial 20 mg vial titration (6.67 mg/mL)
| Phase / Dose | U-100 Units | Volume (mL) |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1-2 | 3 | 0.03 |
| Weeks 3-4 | 6 | 0.06 |
| Weeks 5-6 | 9 | 0.09 |
| Weeks 7-8 | 12 | 0.12 |
| Weeks 9-10+ reference | 15 | 0.15 |
Reconstitution steps
Vial size
20 mg
BAC water to add
3 mL
Resulting concentration
6.67 mg/mL
At about 6.67 mg/mL, 1 U-100 unit = 0.01 mL = about 0.0667 mg (66.7 mcg). For very small volumes, lower-capacity insulin syringes may improve readability.
Editorial protocol: add 3.0 mL bacteriostatic water slowly down the vial wall, avoid foaming, gently swirl or roll until dissolved, label with reconstitution date, protect from light, and refrigerate.
Injection steps
- 1Reconstitute gently
Add diluent slowly down the vial wall, gently swirl or roll until dissolved, label with date, protect from light, and refrigerate.
Storage instructions
Before reconstitution
Editorial protocol describes frozen lyophilized storage around -20 C or below, protected from light and moisture.
After reconstitution
Refrigerate reconstituted solution at 2-8 C and protect from light.
Editorial page describes use within 7 days for best potency.
Important notes
- !Research protocol limitation
MOTS-c has no approved human therapeutic dosing label in this catalogue entry.
Concentration calculations are standard compounding arithmetic. Protocol phases are drawn from published Phase 2 trial data. Your prescriber and dispensing pharmacy determine the actual dose, vial size, and escalation schedule for your treatment.
Your journey
Where you are in a typical protocol, and what one dose cycle looks like. Educational — your prescriber tailors the plan to you.
Protocol timeline
Starter reference
Weeks 1–20.2 mgevery 1dWhat to expect: editorial gradual titration start
Focus on: track tolerance, site rotation
Common adjustments: no approved adjustment rules exist
Step-up reference
Weeks 3–80.6 mgevery 1dWhat to expect: editorial 200 mcg step increases every two weeks
Focus on: document dose and symptoms, avoid unsupported efficacy assumptions
Common adjustments: pause escalation if concerning symptoms occur
Upper reference
Weeks 9+1 mgevery 1dWhat to expect: editorial 1 mg/day reference
Focus on: review evidence ceiling, monitor adverse symptoms
Common adjustments: no approved long-term maintenance rule exists
Daily companion
Practical playbooks for managing symptoms, eating around side effects, tracking what matters, and reporting back to your clinician.
Food guidance by situation
Prefer: consistent meals, steady hydration
Limit: large alcohol intake
Avoid: unsupported protocol stacking
The source discusses metabolic research context; nutrition copy should stay general and non-prescriptive.
What to track
Suggested check-in cadence: daily.
Injection-site reaction
scale 0 10
Energy
scale 0 10
Sleep quality
scale 0 10
Unexpected symptoms
text
Safety and interactions
Share this information with your prescriber for personalised care decisions.
Red-flag symptoms — seek urgent care
- Unexpected systemic reactionUrgent careSeek urgent care for breathing symptoms, swelling, severe dizziness, or rapidly worsening reaction after MOTS-c.
- Unexpected systemic reaction. Stop use and seek medical advice for rash, swelling, breathing symptoms, severe dizziness, or any concerning reaction after an unapproved injectable product.
Structured warnings
No completed human clinical trials cited
MOTS-c protocol dosing is editorial and extrapolative. The source page notes that completed human clinical trial evidence is not available.
Unexpected systemic reaction
Stop use and seek medical advice for rash, swelling, breathing symptoms, severe dizziness, or any concerning reaction after an unapproved injectable product.
Indication and approval status
No approved therapeutic indication represented in this catalogue entry.
No approved prescribing population.
Who should not take this
MOTS-c is not approved by major regulators for human therapeutic use. The editorial source notes no completed human clinical trials; formal contraindications and monitoring requirements have not been established.
Missed-dose guidance
No approved missed-dose rule exists for MOTS-c.
Do not double doses based on an editorial titration schedule; discuss interruptions with a clinician or research supervisor.
When to seek help
Any systemic reaction, severe injection-site reaction, breathing symptom, swelling, or severe dizziness after an unapproved injectable product.
Stop use and contact a clinician; urgent care for breathing symptoms, swelling, or severe systemic reactions.
Approved injection sites
Abdomen
Rotate sites daily and stay at least 2 inches from the navel.
Avoid: Avoid bruised, red, hard, scarred, or irritated skin.
Thigh
Rotate between abdomen and outer thigh areas.
Avoid: Avoid tender, bruised, red, or hardened skin.
Structured storage
research lyophilized vial
before reconstitution
-20 C or below
Editorial protocol says store dry, dark, and avoid repeated freeze-thaw.
research reconstituted vial
after reconstitution
2-8 C
Editorial page describes 7 days for best potency.
Not an approved label; use stricter compounder or research-protocol instructions.
Storage and handling
No licensed pharmaceutical storage standard exists for MOTS-c research preparations. Editorial protocol pages describe frozen lyophilized storage and short refrigerated use after reconstitution; these are not regulator-approved instructions.
Research evidence
Published studies, labels, regulator pages, and curated protocol sources connected to this profile.
API source references
MOTS-c 20 mg vial PeptideDosages protocol
Editorial research protocol page for MOTS-c 20 mg vial; not a prescribing label.
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