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Longevity · Peptide Reference · Updated October 16, 2026

Epithalon

Updated October 16, 2026 with prices and facts re-checked October 14, 2026.

Synthetic tetrapeptide based on the pineal-gland peptide epithalamin. Studied by Vladimir Khavinson; claimed to activate telomerase and extend telomere length. Bulk of evidence is from a single Russian research group; replication is limited.

Longevity Evidence grade: C-D Not FDA-approved
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Editorial team
Dr. Sam Saberian · Lead Medical Researcher
Medical review by Alen A. Schwartz, MD · Edited by Julliana Edwards · Last updated October 16, 2026

Key facts

Class
Synthetic tetrapeptide
Originated
St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology
Pharmacy pathway
503A compounding
Key concern
Limited Western replication of telomerase claims
Common stack
Thymalin
Common dose
5-10 mg SC daily for 10-20 day cycles, repeated 2x/year
Evidence grade
C-D (single research group dominates literature)
FDA status
Not FDA-approved

Mechanism of action

Synthetic tetrapeptide based on the pineal-gland peptide epithalamin. Studied by Vladimir Khavinson; claimed to activate telomerase and extend telomere length. Bulk of evidence is from a single Russian research group; replication is limited.

Standard dosing

Typical clinical use: 5-10 mg SC daily for 10-20 day cycles, repeated 2x/year. Dosing varies by indication and provider protocol; this is reference-only and not a prescribing recommendation. Epithalon requires a prescription from a licensed clinician.

Regulatory status & pharmacy pathway

Not FDA-approved. Compounded peptides are dispensed via 503A licensed compounding pharmacies (USP <797> sterile compounding) or 503B FDA-registered outsourcing facilities (cGMP). Patients should request the pharmacy of record and certificates of analysis (USP <71> sterility, USP <85> endotoxin, HPLC potency) for every shipment.

U.S. telehealth providers prescribing Epithalon

The most commonly cited U.S. telehealth providers for Epithalon are Defy Medical, Marek Health, Hone Health, Maximus, and PeterMD — all of which offer prescriber-supervised access with lab integration and 503A pharmacy partnerships. See the full provider directory for complete profiles.

Trade-offs to know

Epithalon carries the trade-offs common to all compounded peptide therapeutics: not FDA-approved (when applicable), cash-pay only, no in-network insurance coverage, and pharmacy-quality variation between providers. Choose a prescriber that publishes pharmacy of record, per-vial CoAs, and lab-integrated follow-up.

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Editorial team

Authored by Dr. Sam Saberian, medically reviewed by Alen A. Schwartz, MD, edited by Julliana Edwards. About our team →

References

  1. Khavinson VK. Peptides and Ageing. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2002;23 Suppl 3:11-144. PMID: 12374342
  2. Khavinson VK, Bondarev IE, Butyugov AA. Epithalon peptide induces telomerase activity and telomere elongation in human somatic cells. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2003;135(6):590-592. PMID: 12937682

Sources are peer-reviewed where available. PubMed (PMID) links resolve to NCBI's PubMed database. FDA links resolve to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Citations were last verified 2026-05-11.