Epitalon Dosage Chart: 2mg/Day for 20 Days, 3x/Year

Epitalon (also spelled Epithalon) is a synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) based on epithalamin, a peptide extract from the pineal gland. Developed by Russian gerontologist Professor Vladimir Khavinson, it is primarily researched for telomerase activation and longevity. Western clinical trials are absent. This is not medical advice.

Research-context information only. Epitalon is a research peptide. Protocols, doses, and reactions reported below come from published research and self-reported community sources. This article reports what has been documented, not what should be done. Consult a licensed physician for personal medical decisions.

Quick Reference: Standard Protocol

Standard protocol: 2 mg subcutaneous daily (PM) for 20 consecutive days = 40 mg total per course. Repeat 3 times per year, spaced approximately 4 months apart.

Cycling: 20 Days On, 3x Per Year

Epitalon uses a pulsed dosing model -- unique among peptides. Documented protocols run 2 mg daily for 20 consecutive days, then stop, repeating 3 times per year.

The theory is that telomerase activation effects persist beyond the dosing period, and intermittent stimulation is sufficient for maintenance. This mirrors the original Russian clinical research protocols.

Evening timing: 30-60 minutes before bed. This aligns with Epitalon's effects on pineal melatonin production and circadian rhythm regulation.

Enhanced Protocol (Community)

Some community protocols use higher daily doses with shorter course lengths:

The 2 mg / 20-day format is the most widely documented community protocol. Higher-dose community protocols aim for the same or greater total course dose with shorter exposure.

Routes of Administration

Subcutaneous injection (standard): Abdomen, love handles, or thigh. Protocols describe rotating sites daily during the 20-day course with a 29-31 gauge insulin syringe. Volume is typically 0.2 mL per injection.

Intranasal (experimental): Some community protocols use intranasal delivery. Less studied; community use as a primary route is uncommon; dosing equivalence to subcutaneous remains undocumented.

Reconstitution Quick Reference

The ratios below reflect community-documented reconstitution protocols, not prescribed instructions.

Math: 20,000 mcg / 2 mL = 10,000 mcg/mL (10 mg/mL). For 2 mg: 2,000 / 10,000 = 0.2 mL = 20 units. One vial lasts 10 doses.

Swirl gently -- do not shake. Refrigerate at 2-8°C and use within 21 days. For step-by-step instructions, see the Reconstitution Calculator.

Affiliate disclosure: vendor links in this article are affiliate links — The Peptide Catalog may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no additional cost to you.

Where These Numbers Come From

Epitalon has decades of Russian research with limited Western replication.

Telomerase activation: Khavinson et al. (2003) demonstrated that Epitalon induces telomerase activity and telomere elongation in human fetal fibroblasts, extending cell division beyond the Hayflick limit (PMID: 12937682).

Pineal and melatonin effects: Epithalamin treatment restored circadian melatonin rhythm in elderly human subjects, normalizing disrupted nocturnal melatonin peaks (Korkushko et al., 2004). In non-human primates, Epitalon restored age-related disturbances in pineal and pancreatic function (Goncharova et al., 2005).

Lifespan studies: Animal studies showed epithalamin/Epitalon increased mean lifespan in fruit flies and rodent models (Khavinson, 2002).

Key limitations: Most studies come from a single research group. Limited independent Western replication. Human clinical data is sparse. In vitro telomerase activation confirmed, but in vivo human telomere effects remain unconfirmed.

Stacking Protocols

Stacking tips: Epitalon's short 20-day courses can overlap with continuous peptide protocols. Evening dosing pairs naturally with PM administration schedules. Community protocols pair Epitalon's three annual courses alongside ongoing stacks.

Side Effects & Safety

• Injection site reactions -- mild redness, minor irritation (standard for SC peptides)
• Drowsiness -- some users report increased sleepiness with evening dosing (likely melatonin-related)
• Vivid dreams -- frequently reported, consistent with enhanced melatonin
• Mild headache -- occasional, typically transient
• Short course duration limits cumulative exposure
• Telomerase activation concern -- theoretical cancer risk, though no evidence in available studies
• Cancer history -- community protocols and researchers frequently note that individuals with active cancer or cancer history are typically excluded from documented protocols; no safety data exists for this population

No significant adverse events reported in Russian clinical studies.

mg to Units Conversion

On a standard 100-unit insulin syringe, each "unit" equals 0.01 mL (so 100 units = 1 mL). Once epitalon is reconstituted, the conversion from a target dose to syringe units depends on the chosen dilution.

The two reconstitution ratios most often described in community protocols are below.

Reconstitution A: 20 mg vial + 2 mL BAC water (10 mg/mL) — the standard dilution from the Quick Reference above.

Reconstitution B: 20 mg vial + 1 mL BAC water (20 mg/mL) — less BAC water for a lower total volume, so smaller draws and less fridge space.

These conversions reflect the dilutions documented in community reconstitution protocols. They report how the math is described, not a recommended dosing schedule.