Peptide Profile
Apelin-13
A natural heart hormone that helps your cardiovascular system work better and supports healthy blood flow throughout your body.
Dose Range
As prescribed-As prescribedmg
Frequency
Once daily
Route
Intravenous (IV)
Cycle Length
Ongoing/indefinite
Onset
Moderate (1-2 weeks)
Evidence
Moderate
Compound Profile
Scientific & Efficacy Data
C69H111N23O16S
Molecular Formula
1550.8 Da
Molecular Weight
Minutes in plasma; varies by route of administration
Half-Life
~90-95% (subcutaneous injection)
Bioavailability
Not yet assigned (research compound)
CAS #
25078060
PubChem ID ↗
Developed By · 1998
Research Team
Academic Research Institutions
Primary Benefits
Helps maintain normal blood pressure and cardiovascular function
Supports healthy heart muscle contraction and strength
Promotes healthy blood vessel formation and blood flow
Amino Acid Sequence
Sequence not publicly available or proprietaryDosing
How much
do I take?
Timing
Best time to take
Apelin-13 is administered intravenously in a clinical setting. Timing is determined by your healthcare provider based on the treatment protocol and your medical needs.
With food?
IV administration of Apelin-13 is not dependent on meal timing. Your healthcare team will provide specific instructions regarding food and fluid intake around treatment sessions.
If stacking
Apelin-13 should be used as directed by your healthcare provider. If combining with other medications or supplements, discuss potential interactions with your provider. Avoid combining with compounds that have overlapping mechanisms unless specifically guided by a medical professional.
Adjusting Your Dose
Increase if
- +You've tolerated the current dose for the recommended period without significant side effects
- +Therapeutic goals haven't been met at the current dose level
- +Your healthcare provider recommends dose escalation based on your response
- +Lab work or clinical assessments support a higher dose
Decrease if
- -Side effects are bothersome or impacting daily life despite management strategies
- -You experience any signs of an adverse reaction
- -Lab results indicate the need for dose reduction
- -Your healthcare provider recommends a lower dose based on your response
Signs of right dose
- ✓Therapeutic goals being met with minimal side effects
- ✓Stable and consistent response to treatment
- ✓Lab values or clinical markers trending in the right direction
- ✓Good tolerance with manageable or absent side effects
Dosing Calculator
Calculate Your Exact Dose
Step 1: Peptide Weight
Find the weight printed on your peptide vial label
Look here!
The peptide weight is printed on the label
Look here!
The weight is on the label
Suitability
Is this
right for me?
Best For
Research into cardiovascular health and heart function
Apelin-13 is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on research into cardiovascular health and heart function. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
Understanding how the body naturally protects the heart
Apelin-13 is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on understanding how the body naturally protects the heart. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
Exploring potential treatments for heart failure
Apelin-13 is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on exploring potential treatments for heart failure. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
Studying mechanisms of heart muscle strength
Apelin-13 is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on studying mechanisms of heart muscle strength. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
Consider Alternatives If
Who Should Avoid
Do not use if
- ×Currently under investigation - not for human clinical use
- ×May interact with blood pressure medications (in theory)
- ×Should not be used if allergic to peptides or component amino acids
- ×Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should avoid
Use with caution if
- !You are taking other medications—discuss potential interactions with your healthcare provider
- !You have a history of liver or kidney disease
- !You are elderly or have multiple medical conditions
- !You are planning surgery in the near future—inform your surgeon about Apelin-13 use
- !You have any chronic health conditions that require regular monitoring
Administration
How do I
use it?
Reconstitution
What you need
- •Apelin-13 vial (lyophilized powder or solution)
- •Bacteriostatic water or sterile sodium chloride for reconstitution
- •Alcohol swabs for cleaning vial tops and injection sites
- •Appropriately sized syringes with fine-gauge needles (27-30 gauge)
- •Sharps disposal container
Injection
Route
Subcutaneous injection (into the fatty tissue just under the skin)—allows for consistent absorption and can be self-administered at home after proper training
Best sites
- •Abdomen (stomach area)—at least 2 inches from the belly button, most popular choice for self-injection
- •Front of thighs—middle to upper portion of the outer leg
- •Back of upper arm—outer area (may need assistance from another person)
Technique
- 1.Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling supplies
- 2.Clean the injection site with an alcohol swab and let it air dry completely
- 3.Pinch a fold of skin at the chosen injection site
- 4.Insert the needle at a 45-90 degree angle (depending on needle length and body composition)
- 5.Inject the medication slowly and steadily over 5-10 seconds
- 6.Release the skin fold and remove the needle, applying gentle pressure with a clean swab
- 7.Rotate injection sites to prevent tissue irritation or lipodystrophy
- 8.Dispose of the needle safely in a sharps container—never recap or reuse needles
Storage
Signs of degradation
Sample Daily Schedule
Safety
Is it
safe?
Safety Profile
Apelin-13 is a research compound with no human clinical trials or FDA approval. All safety data comes from animal studies and in vitro mechanistic work showing beneficial effects on vascular function and cardiac remodeling. However, animal models do not predict human safety, and the peptide's effects on immune regulation in humans remain untested. No dose-ranging studies, pharmacokinetics, or organ accumulation data exist in humans. The APJ receptor is expressed in multiple tissues including brain, raising concerns about off-target neurological effects at high doses.
Evidence consists entirely of animal studies in mice, rats, and larger mammals, plus in vitro receptor binding and vascular biology research. No human pharmacokinetics, toxicology screening, Phase 1 safety studies, or clinical efficacy trials have been conducted. The literature base is mechanistic rather than empirical safety data.
Common Side Effects
Experienced by some users
Mild changes in blood pressure
Mild changes in blood pressure
Management: Consult your healthcare provider for guidance.
Minimal systemic effects in animal studies
Minimal systemic effects in animal studies
Management: Consult your healthcare provider for guidance.
Headache (theoretical, based on blood pressure effects)
Headache (theoretical, based on blood pressure effects)
Management: Consult your healthcare provider for guidance.
Flushing or warmth at injection site
Flushing or warmth at injection site
Management: Consult your healthcare provider for guidance.
Mild inflammation at injection site
Mild inflammation at injection site
Management: Consult your healthcare provider for guidance.
Dizziness if blood pressure drops too quickly
Dizziness if blood pressure drops too quickly
Management: Consult your healthcare provider for guidance.
Allergic reactions to the peptide
Allergic reactions to the peptide
Management: Consult your healthcare provider for guidance.
Heart rhythm changes (requires monitoring)
Heart rhythm changes (requires monitoring)
Management: Consult your healthcare provider for guidance.
Blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac function
Blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac function
Management: Consult your healthcare provider for guidance.
Stop and Seek Help If
- ×Severe or worsening side effects that don't improve with dose adjustment or supportive care
- ×Signs of an allergic reaction—rash, hives, swelling, or difficulty breathing
- ×Your healthcare provider recommends discontinuation based on your clinical response
- ×Development of any new medical condition that may be contraindicated with Apelin-13
- ×Pregnancy or planning to become pregnant (unless specifically approved for use during pregnancy)
- ×Abnormal lab results or clinical markers that suggest adverse effects
Apelin-13 should only be started, adjusted, or discontinued under medical supervision. This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Never stop a prescribed treatment without consulting your healthcare provider first, as abrupt discontinuation may have consequences.
Interactions
With other peptides
- ✓May be used together under medical guidance.
- ✓May be used together under medical guidance.
- ✓May be used together under medical guidance.
With medications
- !Other heart-active peptides without proper spacing and monitoring - Use with caution—discuss with your healthcare provider.
- !ACE inhibitors or ARBs (blood pressure medication - requires careful monitoring) - Use with caution—discuss with your healthcare provider.
- !Stimulant compounds that raise heart rate significantly - Use with caution—discuss with your healthcare provider.
With supplements
- ✓Multivitamins - Generally safe to take alongside Apelin-13. Space doses apart if taking oral formulations to ensure optimal absorption.
- ✓Electrolyte supplements - Helpful if experiencing any GI side effects that could lead to dehydration. Safe to combine.
Effectiveness
Does it
work?
Evidence Level
Moderate human trials
What to Expect
Minutes (Immediate)
What you might notice
- •Heart rate and blood pressure changes begin;
- •APJ receptor activation starts;
- •initial cardiac contractility increases
What's normal
- •Initial response to Apelin-13 is beginning at the cellular level
- •Different individuals experience Apelin-13's onset at different rates
- •Transient systemic effects from initial Apelin-13 exposure are common
What's next
- →Maintain consistent Apelin-13 administration as prescribed
- →Document subjective effects and physical markers daily
- →Schedule a check-in with your provider about initial observations
Hours (Short-term)
What you might notice
- •Peak effects on blood vessel relaxation;
- •improved blood flow throughout the body;
- •anti-inflammatory signaling begins
What's normal
- •Apelin-13 is achieving sufficient receptor engagement
- •Initial mechanism of Apelin-13 is taking effect
- •Early transient effects from Apelin-13 administration are resolving
What's next
- →Maintain consistent Apelin-13 administration as prescribed
- →Document subjective effects and physical markers daily
- →Schedule a check-in with your provider about initial observations
Days to Weeks (Repeated Dosing)
What you might notice
- •Adaptive cardiovascular responses;
- •improved heart muscle function with regular use;
- •potential protective effects building up
What's normal
- •Apelin-13 response patterns are emerging
- •Initial Apelin-13 response is consistent with mechanism expectations
- •Early tolerance development to Apelin-13 is not expected
What's next
- →Assess whether Apelin-13 response aligns with expectations
- →Plan next steps based on initial Apelin-13 tolerance and response
- →Establish baseline monitoring for Apelin-13 response tracking
Signs It's Working
Treatment Response
- ✓Improvement in the primary symptoms or condition being treated
- ✓Positive changes in relevant lab values or clinical markers
- ✓Consistent, stable response to Apelin-13 over time
- ✓Reduction in symptom frequency or severity
General Well-being
- ✓Improved energy levels and daily functioning
- ✓Better quality of life related to the treated condition
- ✓Manageable or absent side effects indicating good tolerance
- ✓Positive feedback from healthcare provider during check-ups
Not Seeing Results?
Common reasons
- •Not at therapeutic dose yet—initial doses are for building tolerance, not maximum effect
- •Insufficient time at target dose—most compounds need several weeks to show full benefits
- •Inconsistent dosing schedule—regular, consistent use is crucial for optimal results
- •Individual variation in response—genetics, metabolism, and other factors affect outcomes
- •Underlying conditions or medications interfering with absorption or effectiveness
- •Improper storage leading to degraded product—always verify proper storage conditions
Key Research
"Exogenous [Pyr(1)]apelin-13 prevents bupivacaine-induced cardiotoxicity via the apelin (APJ) receptor"
Chen C, Zhao S, Chen Z, 2025
Finding: Apelin-13 at 22 μmol/L completely reversed bupivacaine cardiotoxicity in both cell and animal models, improving heart cell function and survival rate from 50% to 100%. The peptide protected mitochondrial structure and increased survival through its APJ receptor interaction.
View Study"A Metabolically Stable Apelin-13 Analog Acting as a Potent I(To) Potassium Current Blocker with Potential Benefits for Brugada Syndrome"
Contreras Vite JA, Tiffinger A, Théroux L, 2025
Finding: A C-terminally modified apelin-13 analog selectively blocked ITO potassium current by 47%, prolonging heart cell action potential without affecting sodium currents. This selective blocking restores electrical balance disrupted in Brugada syndrome.
View Study"Apelin/APJ signaling in IGF-1-induced acute mitochondrial and antioxidant effects in spontaneously hypertensive rat myocardium"
Yeves AM, Godoy Coto J, Pereyra EV, 2024
Finding: Apelin-13 signaling protected heart mitochondria from oxidative damage and enhanced antioxidant defenses in hypertensive hearts. The peptide improved cellular energy production and reduced stress markers in heart tissue.
View StudyFrequently Asked Questions