Epitalon Dosage Guide
Written by Alejandro Reyes
Founder & Lead Researcher
Reviewed by Peptide Nerds Editorial · Updated April 2026
Dosage overview
| Typical dose | 5-10 mg daily |
| Frequency | Once or twice daily for 10-20 day cycles |
| Cycle length | 10-20 days, repeat 1-2x per year with 4-6 months between cycles |
Dosing notes
Two research protocols are documented in the literature. The "Russian Protocol" involves 10 mg daily via one or two subcutaneous injections for 10 consecutive days, repeated every 4-6 months. The "Ukrainian Protocol" uses 10 mg via subcutaneous injection on days 1, 5, 9, 13, and 17, also repeated every 4-6 months. Both use 5-10 mg per administration, with no evidence that doses above 10 mg/day produce stronger or longer-lasting results. Research suggests short cycles achieve lasting effects because Epitalon acts at a regulatory level — once telomerase is activated and melatonin secretion patterns are restored, the physiological changes persist beyond the administration period. Most research protocols use 1-2 cycles per year. Subcutaneous injection provides the highest bioavailability and the most research support. Nasal spray delivery requires approximately 2-3x the injectable dose for comparable effect. Sublingual delivery has limited evidence — one study in 75 women found 0.5 mg/day for 20 days increased melatonin synthesis 1.6-fold versus placebo. Oral bioavailability is minimal and not well-supported by published data. For reconstitution of lyophilized powder: use 2.0 mL bacteriostatic water, inject slowly along the vial wall, gently swirl (never shake), and store at 2-8°C protected from light. Use within 20 days of reconstitution. Evening administration is preferred by most protocols to align with circadian rhythm support and melatonin production.
Important safety information
Dosage ranges listed above are based on available research data and reported protocols. Individual dosing should be determined by a qualified healthcare provider based on your specific health profile, goals, and response to treatment.
- Start at the lowest effective dose and titrate up gradually
- Monitor for side effects, especially during dose increases
- Do not exceed researched dose ranges without medical supervision
- This is a research compound — human dosing guidelines are not FDA-established
Research references
- Epithalon peptide induces telomerase activity and telomere elongation in human somatic cells — Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine (2003) [PubMed]
- Peptide promotes overcoming of the division limit in human somatic cell — Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine (2004) [PubMed]
- Epitalon increases telomere length in human cell lines through telomerase upregulation or ALT activity — Biogerontology (2025) [PubMed]
- DNA double-helix binds regulatory peptides similarly to transcription factors — Neuro Endocrinol Lett (2005) [PubMed]
- Peptides of pineal gland and thymus prolong human life — Neuro Endocrinol Lett (2003) [PubMed]
- Geroprotective effect of epithalamine (pineal gland peptide preparation) in elderly subjects with accelerated aging — Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine (2006) [PubMed]
- Epithalon decelerates aging and suppresses development of breast adenocarcinomas in transgenic her-2/neu mice — Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine (2002) [PubMed]
- Pineal peptide preparation epithalamin increases the lifespan of fruit flies, mice and rats — Mechanisms of Ageing and Development (1998) [PubMed]
- Normalizing effect of the pineal gland peptides on the daily melatonin rhythm in old monkeys and elderly people — Advances in Gerontology (2007) [PubMed]
- Pineal peptides restore the age-related disturbances in hormonal functions of the pineal gland and the pancreas — Experimental Gerontology (2005) [PubMed]
- Molecular cellular mechanisms of peptide regulation of melatonin synthesis in pinealocyte culture — Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine (2012) [PubMed]
- Inhibitory effect of the peptide epitalon on the development of spontaneous mammary tumors in HER-2/neu transgenic mice — International Journal of Cancer (2002) [PubMed]
- Effect of the synthetic pineal peptide epitalon on spontaneous carcinogenesis in female C3H/He mice — In Vivo (2006) [PubMed]
- Peptide Epitalon activates chromatin at the old age — Neuro Endocrinol Lett (2003) [PubMed]
- Antioxidant properties of geroprotective peptides of the pineal gland — Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics (2007) [PubMed]
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