Epitalon: dosage in studies
Not a recommendation, not treatment guidance. This page shows only what published human studies used, with sources. This site does not say how much anyone should use of any substance. Fimea warns against using injectable peptides bought online: Fimea warning.
Information on epitalon doses in humans comes from only two studies, both from the same research group in St Petersburg. The doses are as described in a 2025 review [1, 2, 3]B.
The evidence is weak. According to a 2026 review, epitalon has only small clinical studies, no long-term safety data and no Western randomised trials [4]B.
Doses used in studies
| Study | Participants | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Source and level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khavinson et al. 2002 | People with inherited retinal degeneration (retinitis pigmentosa); according to the review 162 examined, aged 18-72, with a control group given conventional treatment | 5.0 µg per eye as an injection beside the eyeball | On 10 consecutive days | 10 days | [1, 3]B |
| Ivko et al. 2020 | 75 women with reduced melatonin production; placebo and control groups included | 0.5 mg under the tongue | Daily | 20 days | [2, 3]B |
Evidence levels: A = randomised human trial or meta-analysis · B = observational human study or case series · C = animal study · D = cell or laboratory study · E = not peer-reviewed
Units: µg = microgram, written mcg in the calculator. A milligram (mg) is a thousand times larger.
Notes
In the retinal study epitalon was injected beside the eye, and in the melatonin study it was taken under the tongue. Neither concerns injection under the skin [1, 2, 3]B.
The doses are from a review that summarises the original studies; the melatonin study was published in Russian [2, 3]B.
What points the other way or is uncertain
In the retinal study the control group received conventional treatment rather than placebo, and the review's description does not mention randomisation [3]B.
According to a 2026 review, epitalon has been used in Russia for decades, but independent validation and systematic safety monitoring are lacking [4]B.
- Epitalon: the full substance page
- Epitalon: why no calculator preset
- Are peptides legal in Finland?
- All dose pages and calculators
Read the research yourself: sources
- Khavinson V, Razumovsky M, Trofimova S, et al. Pineal-regulating tetrapeptide epitalon improves eye retina condition in retinitis pigmentosa. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2002;23(4):365-368. PMID 12195242
- Ivko OM, Linkova NS, Ilina AR, et al. AEDG peptide regulates human circadian rhythms genes expression during pineal gland accelerated aging. Adv Gerontol. 2020;33(3):429-435. (In Russian.) PMID 33280326
- Araj SK, Brzezik J, Mądra-Gackowska K, et al. Overview of Epitalon-Highly Bioactive Pineal Tetrapeptide with Promising Properties. Int J Mol Sci. 2025;26(6):2691. PMID 40141333
- Mavrych V, Shypilova I, Bolgova O. Therapeutic peptides in gerontology: mechanisms and applications for healthy aging. Front Aging. 2026;7:1790247. PMID 42021992
Sources checked in PubMed on 12 Oct 2026; none has been retracted. Doses and participant numbers are from the full text of source 3. For the melatonin study, source 3 cites the same author group's English-language publication of the same title (Adv Gerontol 2021;11:53-58), which is not in PubMed; source 2 is its original Russian version.
Content is general information about research, not medical advice. If you have symptoms, contact a healthcare professional.