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MOTS-c

Mitochondrial-derived peptide. MOTS-c is not FDA approved for any use.

Also called:mots
Medically reviewed by Juan Pablo Frías, MD · · DisclosureUpdated Strongest evidence: Human RCT evidence, 4 of 4
StatusPCAC voted 7–5 for 503A (Jul 2026)Removed from FDA Category 2 on 15 Apr 2026. PCAC voted 7–5 for the 503A list (Jul 2026); not finalized.Prohibited by WADA (S4.4.1)Full legal history

Key facts

How we verify
Class
Mitochondrial-derived peptide
Also called
mots
Vial sizes sold
5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg
Community-reported sizes
Half-life
Not found
No published half-life found (PubMed search, 2 Oct 2026)
FDA status
Not approved
Off Category 2, 15 Apr 2026
PCAC vote
7–5 for 503A
Jul 2026, not final
WADA
Prohibited (S4.4.1)
In and out of competition
Everything on MOTS-c

MOTS-c guides

DosageDoses used in published studies, with the source for each.Side effectsWhat labels and studies report, and what is unknown.CalculatorVial, water and dose to syringe units.ResultsStudy outcomes and when they were measured.PricePrice per mg and per week from dated listings. No vendor links.Legal statusFDA, compounding and WADA status with dates.How to injectSites, syringe types and hygiene, step by step.Half-lifeWhat is measured, by route, and what is not.StoragePowder and mixed vials: temperature and shelf life.10 mg vialConcentration and unit tables for the 10 mg size.For energyWhat research says about MOTS-c for energy.For weight lossWhat research says about MOTS-c for weight loss.For muscle growthWhat research says about MOTS-c for muscle growth.
Vial and dose sizes
5 mg vial20 mg vial40 mg vial
Researched for
diabetes

Evidence at a glance

Human and animal counts are PubMed records from our evidence ledger (search counts, not studies we reviewed). The grade is the strongest design among the studies we summarised for that goal: a human randomized trial outweighs any number of animal studies.

MOTS-c: studies by condition
ConditionHuman studiesAnimal studiesStudies we summarisedEvidence grade
Energy653Human RCT evidence, 4 of 4Scientific reports 2021, PMID 34413391
Weight loss12134Human RCT evidence, 4 of 4Scientific reports 2021, PMID 34413391
Muscle growth624Human RCT evidence, 4 of 4Medicine and science in sports and exercise 2025, PMID 40674654
Diabetes25165Human RCT evidence, 4 of 4Aging 2022, PMID 36490309

Grades follow our evidence scale. Summarised studies come from our evidence file, each quote checked against the abstract or label.

Compared with

MOTS-cvsTesamorelinMitochondrial-derived peptide next to ghrh analog: evidence, dosing and legal status side by side.FDA approved (Egrifta)Read the comparison →MOTS-cvsSS-31Mitochondrial-derived peptide next to mitochondria-targeting peptide: evidence, dosing and legal status side by side.FDA accelerated approval for Barth syndrome (Sep 2025)Read the comparison →MOTS-cvsSLU-PP-332Mitochondrial-derived peptide next to err agonist (not a peptide): evidence, dosing and legal status side by side.Not FDA approved · research chemicalRead the comparison →MOTS-cvsRetatrutideMitochondrial-derived peptide next to GLP-1 / GIP / glucagon triple agonist: evidence, dosing and legal status side by side.Investigational · phase 3Read the comparison →

Common stacks

MOTS-c is often sold pre-mixed or combined with other peptides. No controlled study has tested these combinations; the pages below cover the math and what each part has been studied for.

MOTS-c + RetatrutideMOTS-c + SS-31MOTS-c + TesamorelinMOTS-c + Tirzepatide

Common questions

Is MOTS-c FDA approved?

No. MOTS-c is not FDA approved for any use. The FDA removed it from Category 2 on 15 Apr 2026. Its advisory committee voted 7–5 in July 2026 to add it to the 503A compounding list. That vote is not final.

Is MOTS-c banned in sport?

Yes. Prohibited by WADA (S4.4.1), so it is prohibited at all times for tested athletes.

How much water goes in a 10 mg vial?

That choice only changes the concentration. With 2 mL, the vial is 5 mg/mL. The calculator converts any amount to syringe units. It does the math only and does not suggest a dose.

Sources

  1. 1Certain bulk drug substances for use in compounding that may present significant safety risks (Category 2; 'nominated but withdrawn' table, content current as of 22 Apr 2026)U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2026fda.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  2. 2Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee meeting, 23–24 Jul 2026 (agenda and materials)U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2026fda.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  3. 3US search volume and year-over-year trend, Google Keyword Planner export (Jun–Aug 2026 vs 2025)Peptigraph research · 2026peptigraph.com/methodology/Accessed 1 Oct 2026
  4. 4World Anti-Doping Code International Standard Prohibited List 2026World Anti-Doping Agency · 2026wada-ama.orgAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  5. 5United States: No FDA-approved product found: Drugs@FDA (openFDA) search for active ingredient "MOTS-c" returned no matches on 2 Oct 2026.U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2026api.fda.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  6. 6US compounding: MOTS-c was removed from FDA's 503A category 2 after the nominator withdrew; FDA announced a PCAC consultation on 23 July 2026.U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2026fda.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  7. 7Effect of aerobic and resistance exercise on the mitochondrial peptide MOTS-c in Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White breast cancer survivors.Scientific reports · 2021PMID 34413391Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  8. 8Repeated Heat Stress Modulates the Levels of the Mitokines MOTS-C and FGF21 in Active Men during Calf Muscle Immobilization.Medicine and science in sports and exercise · 2025PMID 40674654Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  9. 9Circulating levels of MOTS-c in patients with breast cancer treated with metformin.Aging · 2022PMID 36490309Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  10. 10PubMed search: ("MOTS-c"[tiab] OR MOTSc[tiab]) (262 results)PubMed · 2026pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  11. 11PubMed search: ("MOTS-c"[tiab] OR MOTSc[tiab]) AND (humans[mh] OR human[tiab] OR participants[tiab] OR patients[tiab] OR volunteers[tiab]) (179 results)PubMed · 2026pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  12. 12PubMed search: ("MOTS-c"[tiab] OR MOTSc[tiab]) AND (randomized controlled trial[pt] OR "clinical trial"[pt] OR "meta-analysis"[pt] OR "systematic review"[pt]) (5 results)PubMed · 2026pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  13. 13PubMed search: ("MOTS-c"[tiab] OR MOTSc[tiab]) AND (mice[tiab] OR mouse[tiab] OR rat[tiab] OR rats[tiab]) AND (injection[tiab] OR treatment[tiab] OR administration[tiab] OR treated[tiab]) (72 results)PubMed · 2026pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  14. 14PubMed search: ("MOTS-c"[tiab] OR MOTSc[tiab]) AND (half-life[tiab] OR pharmacokinetic*[tiab]) (3 results)PubMed · 2026pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  15. 15Advisory committee backs 6 of 7 peptides for the 503A listNCPA · 2026ncpa.org
  16. 16FDA gives notice that 12 peptides will be removed from Category 2 (nominations withdrawn)FDA · 2026fda.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026

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