Peptide profile · Weight Management
Adipotide
A targeted fat-destroying peptide that works like a smart missile, cutting off blood supply to fat cells and causing rapid weight loss in primate studies.
Written & reviewed by Michael Carroll · Research, Peptide Initiative
Typical dose
0.25 mg/kg
Half-life
~24 hours
Bioavailability
High (subcutaneous injection)
Molecular weight
2611.41 g/mol
Evidence level
Strong preclinical
01 · Compound profile
Scientific & efficacy data
Molecular formula
C111H206N36O28S2
Primary benefits
One of the most potent fat-reducing compounds studied in primates, working through direct destruction of fat tissue blood supply rather than metabolic pathways.
Significant improvements in insulin sensitivity and metabolic markers observed in all primate studies, with effects persisting beyond the treatment period.
Exceptionally fast-acting for a fat-loss compound, with measurable results appearing within 1-2 weeks and dramatic changes by week 4 of treatment.
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Amino acid sequence
CKGGRAKDC-GG-D(KLAKLAK)202 · Dosing
How much do I take?
0.25 mg/kg · once daily
Subcutaneous: A small injection into the fatty layer just under the skin — the same way insulin is given.
Bioavailability High — most of the dose reaches your bloodstream, just more gradually than an IV.
Best time to take
Morning, at a consistent time each day
With food?
Can be administered with or without food. Ensure adequate hydration throughout the day.
If stacking
If using BPC-157 for potential renal support, administer at a different time of day. Avoid combining with other nephrotoxic substances.
＋ Increase if
- +Tolerating current dose well with stable kidney markers
- +Minimal side effects after 1-2 weeks
- +Fat loss progress has plateaued at current dose
- +Serum creatinine remains within normal range
－ Decrease if
- −Serum creatinine rises above normal range
- −Significant proteinuria or glucosuria develops
- −Signs of dehydration despite adequate fluid intake
- −Any concerning changes in urination patterns
✓ Signs of right dose
- ✓Steady fat loss of 2-3% body weight per week
- ✓Stable kidney function markers
- ✓Improved insulin sensitivity on bloodwork
- ✓No significant side effects
Dosing Calculator
Calculate Your Exact Dose
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03 · Suitability
Is this right for me?
Best for targeted fat reduction & improving insulin resistance
Best for
Targeted White Fat Reduction
Adipotide specifically seeks out and destroys the blood vessels feeding white adipose tissue. Unlike diet or exercise that shrink fat cells, this peptide actually eliminates fat tissue by cutting off its blood supply - a completely unique mechanism.
Stubborn Fat Deposits
Because it targets the vasculature of fat tissue directly, Adipotide may be particularly effective for stubborn fat deposits that resist traditional methods. The peptide homes in on prohibitin receptors found specifically on blood vessels supplying fat tissue.
Improving Insulin Resistance
Primate studies showed remarkable improvements in insulin sensitivity - treated monkeys used about 50% less insulin after treatment. This makes it interesting for research into obesity-related metabolic dysfunction.
Research Applications
As a pioneering vascular-targeting peptide, Adipotide represents a new class of potential therapeutics. Its unique mechanism of targeting specific tissue vasculature has implications beyond obesity research.
Consider alternatives if
Do not use if
Use with caution if
Not sure?
Compare Adipotide with similar peptides to find the best fit for your goals.
04 · Administration
How do I use it?
Subcutaneous injection
Reconstitution — what you need
Example
10mg vial + 2mL BAC water = 5mg/mL concentration. For an 80kg person at 0.25 mg/kg dose: 80 x 0.25 = 20mg needed. At 5mg/mL, draw 4mL total (split into multiple injections if needed).
Calculate your dose in mg by multiplying your body weight in kg by the mg/kg dose. Then divide by your concentration to get the volume to inject.
Route
Subcutaneous injection once daily
Best sites
Technique
- 01Calculate your dose based on body weight and verify the math
- 02Clean injection site thoroughly with alcohol swab and let dry
- 03Pinch skin to create a fold at the injection site
- 04Insert needle at 45-90 degree angle depending on body composition
- 05Inject slowly and steadily
- 06Remove needle and apply light pressure - do not rub
Storage · before reconstitution
Store lyophilized powder at -20°C for long-term storage (up to 2 years) or 2-8°C for short-term storage (up to 3 months). Keep in original container protected from light. Do not expose to repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Storage · after reconstitution
Refrigerate immediately at 2-8°C. Store upright to prevent contamination of the stopper. Use within 14 days of reconstitution. Never freeze reconstituted solution as this will destroy the peptide.
Signs of degradation
Sample daily schedule
05 · Safety
Is it safe?
4 common side effects · 2 serious
Adipotide has been extensively studied in mice, rats, and three species of primates with consistent results. The primary safety concern is dose-dependent kidney effects, which were reversible upon stopping treatment in all studies. No cardiovascular, neurological, or hepatic adverse events were observed. The compound shows remarkable selectivity - lean animals given the same doses experienced no weight loss, suggesting it specifically targets excess fat tissue.
Safety data comes from well-designed primate studies published in peer-reviewed journals including Science Translational Medicine. However, there are no human clinical trials, so the full safety profile in humans remains unknown. The reversibility of kidney effects in primates is encouraging but requires validation in human studies.
Common side effects · experienced by some users
Less common
These typically resolve with continued use or dose adjustment.
Stop and seek help if
- ×Serum creatinine rises significantly above your baseline
- ×Marked proteinuria that persists or worsens
- ×Signs of kidney problems (pain in lower back, changes in urination)
- ×Severe or persistent dehydration despite adequate fluid intake
- ×Any allergic reaction (rash, swelling, difficulty breathing)
- ×Completion of the recommended 4-week treatment cycle
Adipotide is a research compound without FDA approval. Use only under medical supervision with regular kidney function monitoring. Stop immediately and consult a healthcare provider if you experience any concerning symptoms.
With other peptides
- ✓BPC-157 — May provide protective effects for kidneys - consider using for support
- ✓TB-500 — No known interactions, but avoid adding kidney stress
- !AOD-9604 — Both target fat loss through different mechanisms - use caution with combination
- !Semaglutide — Different mechanisms but overlapping goals - not recommended to combine
With medications
- !NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, etc.) — Can compound kidney stress - avoid during Adipotide use
- !ACE Inhibitors — May affect kidney function - monitor closely if combining
- !Diuretics — Increases dehydration risk significantly - avoid combination
- ✓Metformin — Generally safe but monitor kidney function more frequently
With supplements
- ✓Electrolytes — Highly recommended to maintain proper hydration and mineral balance
- ✓Protein supplements — Recommended to preserve muscle mass during rapid fat loss
- ✓Creatine — May confound creatinine monitoring - consider stopping during treatment
- ✓High-dose Vitamin C — Very high doses may affect kidney stone risk - use moderate amounts
06 · Effectiveness
How do I know it's working?
Strong preclinical · first signs week 1
Evidence level
Strong preclinical
(extensive animal studies)
How it works
Adipotide works like a guided missile for fat tissue. It has two parts: a targeting sequence that finds and locks onto blood vessels feeding your fat cells, and a destructive payload that kills those blood vessel cells. When the blood supply to fat tissue gets cut off, the fat cells starve and die. Your body then naturally clears away the dead tissue. This is completely different from diet or exercise, which just shrink fat cells - Adipotide actually eliminates them by destroying their lifeline.
Adipotide (CKGGRAKDC-GG-D(KLAKLAK)2) is a chimeric peptidomimetic consisting of two functional domains. The N-terminal cyclic nonapeptide CKGGRAKDC serves as a homing device, binding with high affinity to prohibitin (PHB) and annexin A2 (ANXA2), which are specifically expressed on the luminal surface of endothelial cells in white adipose tissue vasculature. The C-terminal D(KLAKLAK)2 is a synthetic amphipathic peptide that disrupts mitochondrial membranes upon cellular internalization. Upon receptor-mediated endocytosis, the proapoptotic domain localizes to mitochondria and induces cytochrome c release, triggering caspase-dependent apoptosis specifically in adipose endothelial cells. Vascular destruction leads to ischemic necrosis of dependent adipocytes. The selectivity arises from differential prohibitin expression - it is highly expressed on adipose vasculature but minimally on blood vessels in other tissues. The D-enantiomer configuration of the KLAKLAK sequence confers protease resistance, extending in vivo half-life to approximately 24 hours.
What to expect
Week 1
What you might notice
- •Possible slight decrease in appetite
- •No dramatic weight changes yet
- •Injection site may have minor redness
- •Increased thirst as body adjusts
What's normal
- •Mild elevation in creatinine on blood tests
- •Slight changes in urination patterns
- •Body weight relatively stable
What's next
- →Continue monitoring kidney function
- →Maintain excellent hydration
- →Prepare to assess tolerance for dose increase
Week 2-3
What you might notice
- •Noticeable reduction in appetite
- •Beginning of measurable weight loss (3-7%)
- •Clothes may start fitting differently
- •Possible increase in energy as fat decreases
What's normal
- •Steady weight loss of 2-3% per week
- •Continued mild kidney marker changes
- •Reduced food intake without feeling ill
What's next
- →Continue at current dose if tolerating well
- →Mid-cycle kidney function check recommended
- →Ensure protein intake remains adequate
Week 4
What you might notice
- •Significant fat loss visible (7-15% body weight reduction)
- •Waist circumference noticeably reduced
- •Improved metabolic markers on bloodwork
- •Better insulin sensitivity
What's normal
- •Total weight loss of 10-15% from baseline
- •Peak kidney marker changes
- •Appetite significantly reduced from baseline
What's next
- →Complete the treatment cycle
- →Schedule post-treatment kidney function tests
- →Plan recovery period of at least 4 weeks
Recovery (Week 5-8)
What you might notice
- •Kidney markers returning to normal
- •Appetite gradually returning
- •Weight may stabilize at new lower level
- •Improved metabolic health may persist
What's normal
- •Creatinine normalizing within 2-4 weeks
- •Some appetite recovery
- •Maintained fat loss if diet is controlled
What's next
- →Confirm kidney function fully normalized
- →Focus on maintaining results through diet
- →Assess if another cycle is appropriate after full recovery
Signs it's working · Fat Loss Progress
- ✓Steady decrease in body weight (2-3% per week at optimal dose)
- ✓Reduction in waist and abdominal circumference
- ✓Visible reduction in subcutaneous fat
- ✓Clothes fitting looser, especially around midsection
- ✓DEXA or body composition scans showing fat mass decrease
Signs it's working · Metabolic Improvements
- ✓Lower fasting insulin levels on bloodwork
- ✓Improved insulin sensitivity markers
- ✓Better fasting glucose readings
- ✓Reduced inflammatory markers
- ✓Improved lipid profile
Signs it's working · Appetite and Behavior
- ✓Naturally reduced appetite without nausea
- ✓Feeling satisfied with smaller meals
- ✓Reduced cravings for high-calorie foods
- ✓More stable energy throughout the day
Not seeing results? Common reasons
- •Dose too low - the therapeutic dose of 0.43 mg/kg was needed for optimal results in primates
- •Not enough time - significant results require 3-4 weeks of consistent use
- •Poor quality peptide - ensure sourcing from reputable research suppliers
- •Inadequate hydration - dehydration can stress kidneys and reduce effectiveness
- •Inconsistent dosing - daily administration is important for maintaining tissue levels
- •Already lean - the peptide specifically targets excess fat and shows less effect in lean subjects
Key research
07 · Questions
Frequently asked
Is Adipotide approved for human use?+
No, Adipotide is currently a research compound only. While it showed impressive results in mice and primate studies, it has not undergone human clinical trials and is not approved by any regulatory agency. It should only be used in research settings.
How is Adipotide different from other weight loss drugs?+
Most weight loss drugs work by suppressing appetite or blocking fat absorption. Adipotide is unique because it physically destroys fat tissue by targeting and killing the blood vessels that feed fat cells. This is a completely novel mechanism that actually eliminates fat rather than just shrinking fat cells.
Are the kidney side effects dangerous?+
In primate studies, kidney effects (elevated creatinine, protein in urine) were dose-dependent and fully reversible within 4 weeks of stopping treatment. However, exceeding recommended doses caused more significant kidney stress. Regular monitoring and staying within studied doses is critical.
How much weight can I expect to lose?+
In the rhesus monkey studies at the optimal dose, animals lost an average of 11% of their body weight in just 4 weeks. Some individuals lost up to 20%. However, human results may vary, and there are no human trials to reference.
Does the fat come back after stopping?+
Because Adipotide actually destroys fat tissue rather than just shrinking fat cells, the fat loss may be more permanent than with other methods. However, new fat cells can eventually form if caloric excess continues. Maintaining results requires proper diet and lifestyle.
Why does Adipotide affect the kidneys?+
The kidneys filter the peptide from the blood, and the proapoptotic (cell-killing) portion may have some effect on kidney tubule cells. The targeting sequence has some affinity for kidney tissue as well. This is why dose and duration limits are important.
Can lean people use Adipotide?+
Interestingly, in primate studies, lean animals given Adipotide did not lose weight. The compound appears to preferentially target excess fat tissue, suggesting it may have built-in selectivity for obese conditions. This selectivity is encouraging for safety.
How should kidney function be monitored?+
Blood tests measuring serum creatinine and BUN (blood urea nitrogen) should be done before starting, at week 2, and at week 4. Urinalysis checking for protein and glucose in urine is also recommended. Stop immediately if values become significantly abnormal.
08 · Further reading
History & related research
History · since 2004
The Fat Assassin — A Peptide That Starves Fat Cells by Cutting Off Their Blood Supply
What if you could make fat cells simply die? In 2004, cancer researchers at MD Anderson discovered a peptide that does exactly that.
Read the full history of Adipotide