All Comparisons
Epithalon vs FOXO4-DRI
Side-by-side comparison of evidence, mechanisms, dosing, safety, and regulatory status.
Epithalon: DFOXO4-DRI: D
| Attribute | Epithalon | FOXO4-DRI |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Anti-Aging / Telomere | Senolytic / Anti-Aging |
| Evidence Rating | D — Preclinical | D — Preclinical |
| Clinical Status | Research-only / No approved human indication in Western countries | Preclinical. No human clinical trials. Animal studies in aged mice (Baar et al., Cell 2017). |
| Mechanism | Epithalon (C14H22N4O9, MW ~390 daltons) activates telomerase, particularly the catalytic subunit TERT (telomerase reverse transcriptase), extending telomeres at chromosome ends. Its small size allows blood-brain barrier penetration and broad tissue distribution, though oral bioavailability is limite... | Senescent cells survive because FOXO4 protein binds to p53 in the nucleus, sequestering it and preventing p53 from triggering apoptosis. FOXO4-DRI is a modified peptide that competes with endogenous FOXO4 for p53 binding but cannot sequester p53 effectively. This causes p53 nuclear exclusion, which ... |
| Half-Life | Several hours | Extended (D-amino acid configuration resists proteolysis) |
| Bioavailability | — | — |
| Molecular Weight | ~390.3 g/mol | — |
| WADA Status | Not Listed | Not Listed |
| Dosing | 5–10 mg/day SC, Once daily (Subcutaneous) | No established human dose. Mouse studies used 5 mg/kg IP every 3 days for 3 weeks., Every 3 days for treatment course (mouse protocol extrapolation) (Subcutaneous (extrapolated from IP injection in mice)) |
| Key Use Cases |
|
|
| Safety Concerns |
|
|
| Contraindications |
|
|
| Regulatory (US) | Not FDA-approved. Removed from FDA Category 2 on April 15, 2026. PCAC review scheduled July 23-24, 2026. Previously classified as Category 2, prohibiting compounding. Research chemical. | Not FDA-approved. Research chemical only. No IND application filed. |
Research Disclaimer: This comparison is provided for educational purposes only. All products are sold exclusively for in vitro research use. The information presented is based on published preclinical and clinical research and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions regarding peptide use.
Explore More
Comparisons
Compare any two peptides side-by-side or browse our curated popular matchups.