Summary
5-Amino-1MQ is a small molecule (a simple chemical drug, not a peptide) that blocks nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT), an enzyme that is overactive in fat tissue in obesity. In mice made obese by a high fat diet it reduced body weight and white fat mass (the body's main fat stores) over 11 days, and in aged mice it improved the function of muscle stem cells, the cells that repair muscle. No human trial of any kind has been published, it has no FDA approval or legal route to be compounded (custom-made by a pharmacy), and because it is unapproved everywhere it falls under WADA's S0 ban on unapproved substances.
What is 5-Amino-1MQ?
5-Amino-1MQ is an oral small molecule nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) inhibitor; not a peptide. It is also known as 5-amino-1-methylquinolinium, 5-amino-1-methylquinolin-1-ium, 5A1MQ, NNMT inhibitor 5-amino-1MQ, 5 amino 1mq, 5-amino-1MQ, 5-amino 1MQ.
How does it work?
NNMT consumes nicotinamide and S-adenosylmethionine, lowering NAD+ precursors and the cell's methylation capacity; its expression rises in adipose tissue in obesity. 5-Amino-1MQ is a membrane permeable quinolinium compound that selectively inhibits NNMT, which in mouse adipocytes increases NAD+ and SAM, reduces lipogenesis, and increases energy expenditure. The compound also activated senescent muscle stem cells in aged mice. None of this has been demonstrated in humans.
| Cluster | Metabolic and growth hormone axis |
|---|---|
| Routes | Oral capsule (as sold); Subcutaneous or intraperitoneal injection and oral gavage (mouse studies) |
| Conditions studied | Obesity and chronic weight management; Fat loss and body composition |
| Record | v3, draft, verified Sep 22, 2026 |
5-amino-1MQ benefits: what the evidence shows
Two mouse studies from one University of Texas group. Neelakantan 2018: in diet induced obese mice, 11 days of 5-amino-1MQ reduced body weight, white adipose mass, and adipocyte size and lowered plasma cholesterol, without reducing food intake proportionally. Neelakantan 2019: in aged mice the compound activated senescent muscle stem cells and improved regeneration after injury. No human pharmacokinetic, safety, or efficacy study has been published as of the last verification date.
| Evidence type | Indexed studies | Participants (human) |
|---|---|---|
| Human randomized trials | 0 | n/a |
| Human observational studies | 0 | n/a |
| Animal studies | 2 | n/a |
| All indexed studies | 2 | n/a |
Human evidence
No indexed human study identified. Claims of fat loss, muscle gain, or metabolic benefit in people are extrapolated from mouse data and from vendor testimonials.
Animal evidence
Neelakantan 2018 (Biochem Pharmacol): diet induced obese mice given 5-amino-1MQ for 11 days lost body weight and white fat mass relative to vehicle, with smaller adipocytes and lower cholesterol; the compound was selective for NNMT and orally available. Neelakantan 2019 (Biochem Pharmacol): in 24 month old mice the inhibitor activated muscle stem cells and improved muscle regeneration and contractile function after injury. No long term toxicology has been published.
Key studies
| Study | Design and population | Outcome | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selective and membrane-permeable small molecule inhibitors of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase reverse high fat diet-induced obesity in mice2018 PMID 29155147 | Mouse diet induced obesity model, 11 day treatmentDiet induced obese mice | Reduced body weight, white adipose mass, adipocyte size, and plasma cholesterol versus vehicle | Evidence: Animal-only evidence |
| Small molecule nicotinamide N-methyltransferase inhibitor activates senescent muscle stem cells and improves regenerative capacity of aged skeletal muscle2019 PMID 30753815 | Aged mouse muscle injury model24 month old mice | Activated muscle stem cells and improved regeneration and contractile recovery after injury | Evidence: Animal-only evidence |
Conditions studied
| Condition | Grade | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Obesity and chronic weight management | Not graded | GLP-1 based peptides are the only peptides with large randomized trials for weight loss. Semaglutide 2.4 mg produced 14.9% mean weight loss over 68 weeks and tirzepatide 15 mg produced 20.9% over 72 weeks. Retatrutide, cagrilintide, and survodutide are in late stage trials. |
| Fat loss and body composition | Evidence: Animal-only evidence | Small molecule NNMT inhibitor that reduced fat mass in diet induced obese mice; no human studies. |
Is 5-Amino-1MQ legal in the United States?
FDA and compounding status
Not FDA approved and not an active ingredient in any approved drug. It does not appear in FDA's Category 2 list or on the 503A bulks list as of the pages current to April 2026, and it has no USP monograph, so it does not meet any of the three bulk substance criteria in section 503A. That leaves no lawful basis for a compounding pharmacy to dispense it despite its widespread marketing as a compounded capsule. It was not part of the July 2026 advisory committee review.
WADA status
WADA prohibited. Athletes subject to anti-doping testing should treat this as prohibited at all times unless the current prohibited list says otherwise.
Regulatory timeline
No regulatory events recorded.
What published studies of 5-Amino-1MQ used
Ranges below are reported from published studies and labeling only. PeptideAgent does not recommend doses or protocols.
Not established in human literature. Mouse studies used low milligram per kilogram daily doses (5 and 10 mg/kg in the aged muscle study); these rodent doses do not translate to a human regimen and no human dose finding study exists.
Routes reported
| # | Route |
|---|---|
| 1 | Oral capsule (as sold) |
| 2 | Subcutaneous or intraperitoneal injection and oral gavage (mouse studies) |
5-amino-1MQ side effects
Side effects
| # | Reported side effect |
|---|---|
| 1 | No human safety data of any kind published |
| 2 | Mild nausea, headache, and appetite changes reported anecdotally |
| 3 | Long term effects of NNMT inhibition (which alters NAD+ and methylation balance) in humans are unknown |
Interactions
| # | Interaction |
|---|---|
| 1 | No human interaction data exist |
| 2 | Theoretical interaction with NAD+ precursors (nicotinamide, NMN, NR) because NNMT metabolizes nicotinamide |
Contraindications
| # | Contraindication |
|---|---|
| 1 | Pregnancy and breastfeeding (no data) |
| 2 | Athletes subject to WADA testing (prohibited at all times under S0 as a non-approved substance) |
| 3 | Any use requiring an approved product: none exists |
How do people access 5-Amino-1MQ legally?
Typical cost: Not available through licensed channels. Products sold as research chemicals are not lawful for human use and are not verified for identity or purity.
Verified access options
Step 1
No lawful United States access path identified on the last verified date.
Step 2
Not available as an FDA approved product, not nominated for the 503A bulks list, and not eligible for compounding under section 503A or 503B.
Step 3
Products labeled research use only are not lawful for human use and are not verified for identity or purity.
Access paths are verified against public regulatory records and prescriber licensing. We never list unlicensed vendors.
Compare 5-Amino-1MQ
What's actually offered, and what that means for you
Licensed compounding pharmacies, clinics, and telehealth prescribers openly offer many unapproved peptides, and prescribers write prescriptions for them. That does not make 5-Amino-1MQ lawful. 5-Amino-1MQ is not FDA approved and not on the 503A bulks list, so a pharmacy has no lawful basis to compound it. [3] [4]
Enforcement is uneven. FDA mostly acts through warning letters to compounders and online sellers, Category 2 safety listings, and import alerts that let it detain shipments, rather than stopping every pharmacy. State pharmacy boards oversee pharmacies day to day, and their rules differ. [4] [6] [7] [8] [9]
What changes for you
- No FDA review of the product: FDA does not check a compounded drug's safety, effectiveness, or quality before it is sold. [9]
- Identity, purity, sterility, and dose accuracy can vary from batch to batch. [4]
- Insurance rarely covers it, so you usually pay cash.
- For tested athletes, 5-Amino-1MQ is prohibited at all times on the WADA list, whatever the source. [5]
What to check
These checks lower some risks, but they do not make an unlawfully compounded product lawful or safe. Check for:
- A 503A pharmacy licensed in your state (your state board of pharmacy publishes license lookups). [9]
- A real evaluation by a licensed prescriber, not just an online form.
- A certificate of analysis for the specific batch.
Frequently asked questions
What is 5-Amino-1MQ?
5-Amino-1MQ is a small molecule, not a peptide, that blocks nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT), an enzyme that is overactive in fat tissue in obesity. It is sold as capsules for fat loss and muscle, but its only published evidence is two short mouse studies. It is not FDA approved, is not on the 503A bulks list (FDA's list of raw ingredients pharmacies may use to compound drugs for individual patients), and has no lawful compounded source. [1] [2] [3]
Is 5-Amino-1MQ legal in the United States?
It is not FDA approved, is not on the 503A bulks list, and has no USP monograph, so a compounding pharmacy has no lawful basis to dispense it even though it is widely marketed as a compounded capsule. It is also absent from FDA's Category 2 list, which means FDA has not formally reviewed it, not that it has been cleared. Possession is not a crime. [3] [4]
5-Amino-1MQ benefits: does it work for fat loss?
In diet induced obese mice, an 11 day course reduced body weight and white fat mass and shrank fat cells. In humans there is no evidence either way, because no clinical trial has been published. PeptideAgent grades it animal-only. [1]
What are the side effects of 5-Amino-1MQ?
Unknown. No human safety, pharmacokinetic, or toxicology study has been published. Anecdotal reports mention nausea, headache, and appetite changes. Because NNMT inhibition changes NAD+ and methylation balance throughout the body, long term effects cannot be predicted from the two short mouse studies. [1] [2]
How is 5-Amino-1MQ taken?
Products sold online are oral capsules. The mouse studies gave it by injection or by mouth, and their doses do not translate to people. No human dose has been established. PeptideAgent does not give doses for unapproved peptides. [1]
How much does 5-Amino-1MQ cost?
There is no licensed price because no lawful product exists, and purity of these products is not verified. Products sold as research chemicals are not lawful for human use and are not verified for identity or purity. [3]
Is 5-Amino-1MQ banned by WADA?
It is not named on the list, but section S0 of the WADA Prohibited List prohibits at all times any pharmacological substance that has no current approval by a governmental health authority for human therapeutic use. 5-Amino-1MQ has no approval anywhere, so it falls under S0. [5]
Is 5-Amino-1MQ a peptide?
No. It is a small aromatic molecule (a methylquinolinium salt). It is sold by peptide vendors and clinics alongside injectable peptides, which is the only reason it appears in peptide directories. [1]
Does 5-Amino-1MQ build muscle?
In 24 month old mice, NNMT inhibition activated senescent muscle stem cells and improved regeneration after injury. That is a repair finding in old animals, not a muscle building finding, and it has not been tested in people. [2]
Decisions about starting, stopping, or combining any treatment belong with a licensed clinician who knows your history.
From the blog
- 5-amino-1MQ for fat loss: mouse data, no human trials
5-amino-1MQ reduced fat mass in obese mice, but no human study of any kind has been published. What the mouse studies found, capsules vs injection, side effects, and legal status.
- Peptide stacks: what each common component has shown alone
No trial has tested a multi-peptide stack for muscle growth or fat loss. Nine common stack components ranked by their own human evidence, legal status, and WADA status. No protocols.
- Peptides for weight loss, ranked by human evidence
Tirzepatide, semaglutide, and liraglutide lead on human trials. Retatrutide is trial-only, and AOD-9604 and 5-amino-1MQ are animal-only. Ranking, legal status, and dated prices.
Sources
Numbered citations above point to these primary sources. PubMed entries link to the indexed abstract.
- [1]Neelakantan H et al. Selective and membrane-permeable small molecule inhibitors of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase reverse high fat diet-induced obesity in mice. Biochem Pharmacol 2018PubMed 29155147, 2018
- [2]Neelakantan H et al. Small molecule nicotinamide N-methyltransferase inhibitor activates senescent muscle stem cells and improves regenerative capacity of aged skeletal muscle. Biochem Pharmacol 2019PubMed 30753815, 2019
- [3]FDA: Bulk drug substances used in compounding under section 503A of the FD&C ActFDA, 2026
- [4]FDA: Certain bulk drug substances for use in compounding may present significant safety risks (Category 2 list, content current as of April 22, 2026)FDA, 2026
- [5]WADA Prohibited List, section S0 non-approved substancesWADA, 2026
- [6]FDA: Compounding inspections, recalls, and other actions (warning letters to compounders)FDA
- [7]FDA warning letters database: July 30, 2019 letter to a 503A pharmacy that compounded BPC-157 acetate outside section 503AFDA, 2019
- [8]FDA Import Alert 66-41: Detention without physical examination of unapproved new drugs promoted in the U.S. (includes peptide entries)FDA
- [9]FDA: Compounding and the FDA, questions and answersFDA
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Free to cite and quote with a link. Data is licensed CC BY 4.0 with attribution to PeptideAgent.
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PeptideAgent. (2026, September 22). 5-Amino-1MQ: evidence, legality, and access. https://peptideagent.ai/peptides/5-amino-1mq- HTML link
<a href="https://peptideagent.ai/peptides/5-amino-1mq">5-Amino-1MQ: evidence, legality, and access</a>, PeptideAgent, updated September 22, 2026.