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 by Michael Carroll — Owner, Director of Research · Reviewed by the Peptide Initiative Research Team · Editorial standards
Suggested dose
0.10 mg/kg – 0.43 mg/kg
Compound profile
Adipotide scientific & efficacy data
Weight Management
Peptide profile
Strong preclinical
Adipotide
0.10 mg/kg · Once daily
Molecular formula
C111H206N36O28S2
- Mol. weight
- 2611.41 g/mol
- CAS number
- 859216-15-2
- PubChem
- 163360068
- Developed · 2004
- Wadih Arap and Renata Pasqualini
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Amino acid sequence
CKGGRAKDC-GG-D(KLAKLAK)2Fat Elimination
Works by destroying the blood supply to white fat rather than by changing metabolism or appetite signalling [1]. In obese monkeys it produced rapid weight loss and a marked reduction in white adipose tissue confirmed by MRI and DEXA [2]. All of the efficacy evidence is in animals; none of it is human.
Metabolic Improvement
Insulin resistance improved in the obese monkeys treated in the Science Translational Medicine study [2], and metabolism normalised in the original mouse work [1]. Whether that holds in people is unknown — no human trial has reported metabolic outcomes [5].
Speed of Results
Fast for a fat-loss compound, in animals: about 10.6% of body weight lost over 28 days at the best-performing dose in obese monkeys [2]. In rodents the fat loss came with no change in energy expenditure and no sign of illness on a conditioned taste aversion test [4]. There is no human timeline — the one registered human study posted no results [5].
Dosing
How much Adipotide do I take?
0.10 mg/kg – 0.43 mg/kg · once daily
0.10 mg/kg – 0.43 mg/kg
Once daily
Covers all 3 documented dose levels · timing · dose-adjustment guidance.
Every documented dose level
| Phase | Dose | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| About 2 weeks before stepping up | 0.10 mg/kg | Once daily |
| About 2 weeks at this step | 0.25 mg/kg | Once daily |
| Weeks 3-4 | 0.43 mg/kg | Once daily |
Suitability
Is Adipotide 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.
Administration
How do I use Adipotide?
Subcutaneous injection
Route
Subcutaneous injection once daily
Best sites
Covers reconstitution · step-by-step technique · storage · a sample daily schedule.
Safety
Is Adipotide safe?
4 common side effects · 2 serious
Everything known about adipotide's safety comes from animals.
It has been given to mice [1], to mice and rats [4], and to obese monkeys of three different species [2]. The main safety finding is the kidneys.
In the monkey study, the doses that worked best also produced changes in the function of the renal proximal tubule — the part of the kidney that reabsorbs what the body needs from filtered blood. Those changes were dose-dependent and they reversed after treatment stopped [2].
The selectivity claim comes from a direct comparison rather than an impression: the same peptide that completely reversed diet-induced obesity in mice on a high-fat diet did not reduce body weight in animals on a low-fat diet [4]. There is no human safety data.
One first-in-man Phase 1 study opened in 2012 in men with metastatic prostate cancer and obesity. Four people were enrolled. It was terminated, the registry records the reason as the principal investigator's request rather than a safety finding, and no results have ever been posted [5].
The animal work is real and was published in serious journals — Nature Medicine [1], Science Translational Medicine [2] and Diabetes [4].
The monkey study is the one that matters most, because rodent obesity results often fail to translate, and it showed weight loss and improved insulin resistance in a primate [2]. But there is no published human trial.
The only registered human study enrolled 4 people and closed without posting results [5], so the human safety profile is unknown — including whether the reversible kidney changes seen in monkeys behave the same way in people.
Less common
These typically resolve with continued use or dose adjustment.
Common side effects · experienced by some users
Elevated Serum Creatinine
The most consistently observed effect in primate studies, indicating the kidneys are processing the compound.
Management: Monitor with regular blood tests. Usually normalizes within 4 weeks of stopping treatment. Stay well-hydrated.
Proteinuria
Mild to moderate protein appearing in urine, reflecting kidney filtration changes.
Management: Monitor with urinalysis. Reduce dose if marked. Ensure adequate hydration.
Glucosuria
Glucose appearing in urine even with normal blood sugar, due to effects on kidney tubules.
Management: Monitor blood glucose to ensure it remains normal. Not typically concerning if blood sugar is stable.
Reduced Appetite
Decreased food intake observed in all treated animals - appears to be genuine appetite reduction rather than nausea.
Management: Ensure adequate protein intake despite reduced appetite. This effect contributes to weight loss.
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
- Safe:BPC-157 — May provide protective effects for kidneys - consider using for support
- Safe:TB-500 — No known interactions, but avoid adding kidney stress
- Caution:AOD-9604 — Both target fat loss through different mechanisms - use caution with combination
- Caution:Semaglutide — Different mechanisms but overlapping goals - not recommended to combine
With medications
- Caution:NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, etc.) — Can compound kidney stress - avoid during Adipotide use
- Caution:ACE Inhibitors — May affect kidney function - monitor closely if combining
- Caution:Diuretics — Increases dehydration risk significantly - avoid combination
- Safe:Metformin — Generally safe but monitor kidney function more frequently
With supplements
- Safe:Electrolytes — Highly recommended to maintain proper hydration and mineral balance
- Safe:Protein supplements — Recommended to preserve muscle mass during rapid fat loss
- Safe:Creatine — May confound creatinine monitoring - consider stopping during treatment
- Safe:High-dose Vitamin C — Very high doses may affect kidney stone risk - use moderate amounts
Effectiveness
How do I know Adipotide is working?
Strong preclinical · first signs week 1
Evidence level
Strong preclinical
(extensive animal studies)
Regulatory status
Research compound
Onset of effects
Moderate
(1-2 weeks)
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.
The deeper mechanism
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
Metabolic Improvements
- Lower fasting insulin levels on bloodwork
- Improved insulin sensitivity markers
- Better fasting glucose readings
- Reduced inflammatory markers
- Improved lipid profile
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
Questions
Frequently asked about Adipotide
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.
Further reading
Adipotide 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 AdipotideReady for the protocol?
Every dosing tier, administration route, timing note, and dose-adjustment rule for Adipotide, on one page.