MOTS-c Dosage & Reconstitution Guide
⚠ Not approved for human use and human safety data are minimal; effects on cancer-related signaling are unresolved and it can interact with glucose-lowering drugs (e.g. metformin). Prohibited in competitive sport (WADA).
Research and educational use only — not medical advice, and not for human consumption. The figures below are summarized from public sources, product labeling, and community reports, and are not a prescription or a substitute for a qualified clinician.
Reconstitution
MOTS-c ships as a freeze-dried (lyophilized) powder that has to be mixed with bacteriostatic water before use. Draw 2 mL of bacteriostatic water into a syringe and add it to a 10 mg vial, letting the stream run down the inside wall of the glass rather than blasting the powder directly. Swirl gently — never shake — until the solution is clear, then keep it refrigerated.
Worked example. 2 mL into a 10 mg vial gives a concentration of 5 mg/mL (5000 mcg/mL). A 2.5 mg dose then works out to 0.5 mL = 50 units on a U-100 insulin syringe. Scale the water volume up or down to make your target dose land on an easy-to-read mark (1 unit = 0.01 mL).
- Wipe both vial stoppers (peptide and bacteriostatic water) with an alcohol swab and let them dry.
- Draw 2 mL of bacteriostatic water into a syringe.
- Inject it slowly against the inside wall of the peptide vial.
- Swirl gently until fully dissolved; do not shake.
- Label the vial with the contents, concentration, and date, and store it in the refrigerator.
Dosing schedule
| Phase | Dose | Volume | Insulin units (U-100) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1-2 (titration) | 2.5 mg | 0.5 mL | 50 units | 2 injections/week (~5 mg/week); assess tolerance before increasing |
| Weeks 3-4 (build) | 2.5 mg | 0.5 mL | 50 units | 3 injections/week (~7.5 mg/week); some dose on training days |
| Weeks 5-6 (maintenance) | 5 mg | 1 mL | 100 units | 2 injections/week (~10 mg/week); common upper end of a block |
Timing & cycling
No fixed timing, but because MOTS-c is exercise-induced, some users inject on training days or before/after workouts.
Cycle length. 4-6 week blocks, followed by a break of similar length.
Storage & handling
Keep the lyophilized (unmixed) vial refrigerated at 2–8 °C (36–46 °F) in a dry, dark place — it tolerates short periods at room temperature during shipping. Once reconstituted, store it at 2–8 °C, never frozen, and use it within about 2–4 weeks (sooner if the solution turns cloudy or discolored). Swab the stopper before every draw and use a fresh needle each time.
Supplies you'll need
- MOTS-c vials — about 12 for an 8-week run at the upper dose
- Bacteriostatic water — 2 mL per vial (a 10–30 mL multi-dose bottle covers several vials)
- U-100 insulin syringes (0.3–0.5 mL / 30–50 unit barrels are easiest to read) — roughly 24 for 8 weeks, plus spares
- Alcohol swabs — one per injection and one per vial draw
- Sharps container for safe needle disposal
Key points
- MOTS-c is a mitochondrial-derived peptide; most evidence is animal and mechanistic, with only limited, mostly observational human data.
- It activates AMPK, the same energy sensor targeted by metformin and exercise, so combining it with those may have additive effects worth monitoring.
- Reconstituted peptide should be kept refrigerated (about 2-8 C) and is typically used within roughly 4 weeks.
- Banned by WADA and not permitted for competitive athletes.
- Not FDA-approved, and quality varies between suppliers, so third-party testing (a COA) matters.
What to monitor
Fasting glucose and, if available, insulin or HbA1c; body composition, energy, and training performance; injection-site reactions.
Legal & prescription status
Not FDA-approved for any use; sold and handled as a research chemical ('for research use only'), not a prescription medication.
References
This guide is for research and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and does not describe a product approved for human use. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before considering any peptide protocol.