Side-by-side · Research reference
5-Amino-1MQvsTesamorelin
Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.
AAnimal-StrongDraft8/38 cited
BFDA-ApprovedVerified27/68 cited
5-Amino-1MQ
NNMT inhibitor · Methylation / SAM modulation
Oral · Once daily fasted
Tesamorelin
GHRH Analogue · FDA-Approved
SQ · Abdomen · Once Daily
01Mechanism of Action
Parameter
5-Amino-1MQ
Tesamorelin
Primary target
Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT)Neelakantan 2018
Hypothalamic GHRH receptorsEGRIFTA® (tesamorelin for inje 2010
Pathway
NNMT inhibition → preserved cellular SAM + NAD⁺ → restored methylation balance + ↑ thermogenic gene expressionNeelakantan 2018
GHRH → Pituitary GH release → Liver IGF-1 synthesisFalutz 2007
Downstream effect
Reversal of HFD-induced obesity in murine models; improved metabolic profileNeelakantan 2018
Increased GH pulsatility, elevated IGF-1, lipolysis of visceral adipose tissueFalutz 2010
Feedback intact?
—
Yes — physiological pulsatility preserved
Origin
Selective small-molecule inhibitor designed in academic medicinal chemistry programsNeelakantan 2018
Synthetic 44-AA GHRH analogue with trans-3-hexenoic-acid modification for stabilityEGRIFTA® (tesamorelin for inje 2010
02Dosage Protocols
Parameter
5-Amino-1MQ
Tesamorelin
Standard dose
100–200 mg / day oralNeelakantan 2018
Anecdotal community range; murine doses scaled.
2 mg / dayEGRIFTA® (tesamorelin for inje 2010
FDA-approved protocol.
Frequency
Once daily, fasted
Once daily (morning or pre-sleep)
Aligns with natural GH pulse.
Lower / starter dose
50 mg / day
1 mg / dayFalutz 2010
1 mg still produces significant IGF-1 elevation.
Evidence basis
Animal-strong; no human RCT dataNeelakantan 2018
RCT / FDA-approvedFalutz 2007Falutz 2010
Duration
8–12 weeks per cycle
12–52 weeks
VAT returns within months of stopping.
Form
Oral capsule
—
Timing
Morning fasted preferred
Empty stomach, pre-sleep preferred
Half-life
Hours (estimated; no human PK published)
~26 min (plasma)EGRIFTA® (tesamorelin for inje 2010
Modified vs native GHRH (7 min t½).
Reconstitution
—
Sterile water per labeling
Preserved at 2–8 °C after reconstitution.
03Metabolic / Fat Loss Evidence
Parameter
5-Amino-1MQ
Tesamorelin
Primary fat target
—
Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) — abdominal
Effect on lean mass
—
Modest lean mass preservation / slight increase
Effect reversibility
—
VAT returns within months of stopping
Key publication
—
Falutz et al. NEJM 2007 · Falutz JCEM 2010 · FDA approval 2010Falutz 2007Falutz 2010EGRIFTA® (tesamorelin for inje 2010
04Side Effects & Safety
Parameter
5-Amino-1MQ
Tesamorelin
GI symptoms
Mild nausea (anecdotal)
Nausea, diarrhea (mild, transient)
Methylation disruption
Theoretical risk if NNMT is over-inhibited (B vitamin metabolism)
—
Long-term safety
Unknown — no human trials
—
Cancer risk
Unclear — NNMT also studied in oncology contexts
Contraindicated in active malignancy (GH/IGF-1 axis); theoretical tumour growth riskEGRIFTA® (tesamorelin for inje 2010
Drug interactions
Theoretical with niacin / B-vitamin supplements
—
Injection site reaction
—
Erythema, pruritus, redness (common)
Fluid retention / Edema
—
Peripheral edema, arthralgia, carpal tunnel (GH-axis effect)
IGF-1 elevation
—
Dose-dependent; supraphysiological levels = discontinue
Antibody formation
—
~50% at 26 weeks; non-neutralising in most; rare hypersensitivity (<1%)Sévigny 2018
Absolute Contraindications
5-Amino-1MQ
- ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
- ·Active malignancy
Tesamorelin
- ·Active malignancy or history of treated cancer
- ·Pregnancy
- ·Hypersensitivity to tesamorelin or mannitol
- ·Disruption of hypothalamic-pituitary axis (trauma, tumour, radiation)
Relative Contraindications
5-Amino-1MQ
- ·Methylation-sensitive conditions (MTHFR mutation)
- ·Concurrent niacin / NAD+ precursor supplementation (theoretical interference)
Tesamorelin
- ·Untreated diabetes (monitor HbA1c)
- ·Severe carpal tunnel syndrome
- ·Acute critical illness
05Administration Protocol
Parameter
5-Amino-1MQ
Tesamorelin
1. Form
Oral capsule. No injection.
Add 2.1 mL sterile water to 2 mg lyophilised vial. Roll gently — do not shake. Solution should be clear.
2. Administration
Take with water, fasted preferred.
Subcutaneous — abdomen preferred. Rotate sites (avoid same spot within 2 cm). Avoid navel and waistband area.
3. Timing
Morning fasted.
Once daily. Preferred: evening, 2–3 hrs post-meal, before sleep — aligns with natural GH secretion pulse.
4. Storage
Room temp ≤25 °C, dry place.
Lyophilised: room temp, light-protected. Reconstituted: refrigerate 2–8 °C, use within 21 days.
5. Caveat
Monitor B-vitamin status with chronic use.
27–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe. Pinch skin, 45° angle for lean individuals.
06Stack Synergy
5-Amino-1MQ
— no documented stacks
Tesamorelin
+ Ipamorelin
StrongTesamorelin (GHRH analogue) and ipamorelin (GHRP / ghrelin mimetic) act on two distinct receptor systems to amplify GH release synergistically — GHRH receptor + ghrelin receptor. This dual-axis stimulation produces a more robust, sustained GH pulse than either alone while maintaining physiological pulsatility. Ipamorelin is highly selective with minimal cortisol or prolactin elevation, making it the preferred GHRP pairing.
- Tesamorelin
- 2 mg SQ · evening
- Ipamorelin
- 200–300 mcg SQ · same injection
- Frequency
- Once daily, pre-sleep
- Primary benefit
- Maximal GH pulsatility, fat loss, recovery, sleep quality