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MOTS-c

Also known as Mitochondrial ORF of the twelve S rRNA type-c, Mitochondrial derived peptide

Not approved in the USMetabolic & weight lossLongevity & anti-aging

Last reviewed · Awaiting clinical review

Main safety concerns

Almost all of the evidence is from animals and cells. Human data is limited, so treat any human benefits as unproven.

Educational information, not medical advice. If you have symptoms that worry you, contact a clinician or emergency services.

What is known

A small mitochondrial peptide studied for energy metabolism, fat handling, and healthy aging.

Status:
Not an FDA approved drug. FDA found no human safety data for it. Banned in sport.[3] [4] [5]
Strongest evidence for any claim:

See the evidence claim by claim

On this page

What it is and how it works

MOTS-c is a short peptide encoded inside mitochondrial DNA, which makes it unusual. It acts like an energy signal. Its best studied effect is turning on AMPK, a master switch that tells cells to burn fat and handle glucose better, especially under stress, exercise, or aging. Because the body makes it naturally, it is often framed as a metabolism and longevity peptide.[1]

Evidence by claim

Each claim is graded on its own. Tap a grade to see what it does and does not mean.

Reported side effects

  • WarningUnknown long term risks, since there is no long term human safety data[1]
  • CautionInjection site redness or irritation(common)[1]
  • CautionMild tiredness or lethargy early on(uncommon)[1]Sometimes reported as the body adjusts to the metabolic effect.

Interactions and combination risks

  • CautionBlood sugar lowering medicines

    Because it may improve glucose handling, watch for additive effects if you already take diabetes medicine.

Who should avoid it

  • SeriousPregnancy or breastfeeding

    No safety data in pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Dosing

Placed after the evidence and risks on purpose. Nothing here is a recommendation for you.

Community reported use, not tested in trials
Route(s)subcutaneous
Typical rangeAbout 5 to 10 mg per week, often split as 5 mg two to three times a week.
Frequency2 to 3 times per week
Cycle guidanceUsually run in 4 to 8 week cycles.
NotesHuman dosing comes from community practice, not trials. Animal data points to a short blood , roughly 1 to 2 hours, so MOTS-c does not build up in the blood. The spread out schedule reflects how long its effects seem to last, not how long it stays in the blood.
[1]

For the equipment itself, see syringes, needles, and the rest of the kit.

Reconstitution

Vial sizes5 mg, 10 mg
DiluentBacteriostatic water for multi dose vials, or sterile water for single use
ConcentrationExample: a 10 mg vial plus 1 mL of water gives 10 mg/mL, so a 5 mg dose is 0.5 mL, which is 50 units on a U-100 syringe. Add more water for a smaller draw.
NotesMOTS-c usually ships as 5 mg or 10 mg freeze dried vials.

General reconstitution technique

Units and volume arithmetic

Converts between an amount and syringe units for the vial and diluent you enter. It starts empty and does not suggest an amount. Open the full calculator

Inputs

What do you want to convert?
  1. mg

    Total amount printed on the vial label.

    Sizes sold:
  2. mL

    Volume of bacteriostatic water already in the vial.

  3. Check the unit. 1 mg = 1,000 mcg, so the wrong one is a 1,000x error.

  4. U-100

    Printed on the syringe wrapper. Results over this size are shown as invalid.

Result

Fill in steps 1 to 3 to see the arithmetic. Nothing here is a suggested amount.

Settings live in the address bar, so a pasted link reopens this calculator as you left it.

Educational arithmetic only. It does not choose an amount for you and is not medical or dosing advice. Verify every calculation independently.

Storage and stability

Dry powder (lyophilized)

TemperatureFreeze for long term storage, or 2 to 8 short term
Shelf lifeMany months when frozen
NotesKeep dry and out of light until you mix it.

After mixing

Temperature2 to 8 (refrigerated)
Shelf lifeAbout 2 to 4 weeks
NotesDo not freeze after mixing. Discard if cloudy or discolored.

General storage and stability guide

COA and purity notes

Common adulterantsunderdosed or mislabeled vials, material sold with poor stability, since these peptides degrade easily
MislabelingMitochondrial peptides are fragile and can degrade, so storage and a recent COA matter.
NotesSold as unregulated research material.

How to read a COA

Sources

  1. [1]MOTS-c: a novel mitochondrial-derived peptide regulating muscle and fat metabolism

    PMC (peer reviewed review) 2016 (opens source in a new tab)· Review

  2. [2]MOTS-c restores mitochondrial respiration in the type 2 diabetic heart

    PMC (preclinical study) 2025 (opens source in a new tab)· Animal study

  3. [3]FDA Briefing Document, Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee, July 23 to 24, 2026: MOTS-c Related Bulk Drug Substances

    U.S. Food & Drug Administration 2026 (opens source in a new tab)· Regulatory record

  4. [4]Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding that May Present Significant Safety Risks

    U.S. Food & Drug Administration 2026 (opens source in a new tab)· Regulatory record

  5. [5]World Anti-Doping Code International Standard: Prohibited List 2026

    World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2026 (opens source in a new tab)· Regulatory record

Last reviewed 8 July 2026 · editorial status: reviewed