MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: Educational research guidelines only. Lyophilized peptides are investigational chemical compounds and are NOT approved for human consumption, diagnosis, or therapy. Consult a licensed physician before any research application.
Gotratix Dosage Chart, Schedule & Reconstitution Protocol
Quickstart Highlights
Gotratix (Muscle Cytomax, A-18) is an oral Khavinson skeletal-muscle peptide bioregulator. Its active ingredient, peptide complex A-18, is a short-peptide fraction extracted from the triceps muscle of young calves, developed at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology. Rather than acting as a hormone, it is hypothesized to enter muscle-cell nuclei and modulate expression of genes governing protein synthesis, satellite-cell activity, and mitochondrial function (PMID 34834147, 22117547). Manufacturers market it for muscle recovery, reduced training fatigue, and age-related muscle loss, but no controlled human trials of Gotratix exist, and it is an unapproved supplement/research compound. Product labels list about 10 mg of active peptide per capsule, 1-2 capsules once or twice daily (~10-40 mg/day, commonly ~20 mg/day) for a 30-day course repeated every 4-6 months. The subcutaneous figures on this page are an educational reconstitution reference for an orally dosed product, not medical advice.
Reconstitute: Add 2.5 mL bacteriostatic water → 20 mg/mL concentration.
Typical dose: 10-20 mg/day oral (1-2 capsules)
Easy measuring: At 20 mg/mL, 1 unit = 0.01 mL = 0.2 mg (200 mcg) on a U-100 insulin syringe.
Storage: Sealed capsules: store in a cool, dry place, ideally refrigerated at 2-8 °C, away from light and moisture. For the educational lyophilized vial model: keep at -20 °C long term or 2-8 °C for short periods; once reconstituted, refrigerate at 2-8 °C and use within about 3-4 weeks.
Half-life: Not formally characterized; the intact peptide mixture is likely hydrolyzed within minutes, with any lasting effect attributed to downstream gene-expression changes rather than circulating peptide.
Route: Oral capsules taken with meals in real-world use; this page models a once-daily subcutaneous reconstitution reference only, a route not validated for Gotratix.
Status: Not FDA or EMA approved; no published human trials; a Khavinson 'Cytomax' bioregulator sold abroad as a supplement and treated here as research/educational only.
About Gotratix
Gotratix (Muscle Cytomax, A-18) is an orally administered Khavinson muscle peptide bioregulator whose active ingredient, peptide complex A-18, is a short-peptide fraction extracted from bovine skeletal (triceps) muscle and is proposed to normalize muscle-tissue gene expression rather than act as a hormone [1][2]. In real-world use it is swallowed as a capsule with food; the subcutaneous reconstitution figures below are an educational measurement reference modeled on this site's injectable convention, not the route the product is actually taken.\n\nThis guide models a 50 mg educational vial reconstituted with 2.5 mL of bacteriostatic water (20 mg/mL) so that oral milligram doses map cleanly onto a U-100 insulin syringe: 10 mg ≈ 50 units (0.5 mL) and the standard 20 mg ≈ 100 units (1.0 mL, one full syringe). The headline Gotratix dosage on product labels is about 10 mg of active peptide per capsule, 1-2 capsules once or twice daily (~10-40 mg/day, commonly ~20 mg/day), taken across a 30-day course and repeated every 4-6 months. This whole-course, fixed-dose pattern is the standard Gotratix protocol described in supplier literature.\n\nFrequency: Once daily (the oral product is taken with meals; the educational subcutaneous model uses one injection per day). Gotratix is not FDA- or EMA-approved and is presented here for educational purposes only, not as medical advice.
Quick Protocol Navigation
Reconstitution Instruction & Mixing Step-by-Step
Lyophilized powder must be reconstituted carefully. Agitating peptide chains can shear disulfide bonds and render the peptide biologically inert.
Draw 2.5 mL of bacteriostatic water into a sterile syringe.
Inject it slowly down the inner wall of the 50 mg educational vial; do not spray it directly onto the lyophilized powder.
Swirl or roll the vial gently until the powder fully dissolves into a clear solution; never shake, which can shear peptides and cause foaming.
The result is 20 mg/mL, so 10 mg is 50 units (0.5 mL) and the standard 20 mg is 100 units (1.0 mL, one full U-100 syringe); swab the stopper and draw your dose.
For the educational model, inject subcutaneously once daily, store the vial refrigerated at 2-8 °C between uses, and discard after the stability window (about 3-4 weeks). In real-world use Gotratix is simply swallowed as a capsule.
Interactive Gotratix Syringe Calculator
Currently visualizing the 50 mg vial reconstituted with 2.5 mL bacteriostatic water. Adjust the target dose to dynamically render syringe units.
Reconstitution Calculation: 50mg dry powder in 2.5mL water yields 20.00 mg/mL. To evaluate a 250mcg dose, pull to 1.3 units (1 syringe ticks).
U-100 Syringe Representation
Educational reference visual. Assumes standard U-100 insulin syringe where 1.0 mL volume = 100 units.
Titration & Dose Escalation Schedules
| Phase | Dose per injection | Units (per injection) |
|---|---|---|
| Conservative (1 capsule-equivalent, ~10 mg) | 10000 mcg (10 mg) | 50 units (0.50 mL) |
| Standard (2 capsule-equivalent, ~20 mg) | 20000 mcg (20 mg) | 100 units (1.00 mL) |
| Athletic / higher (~30 mg) | 30000 mcg (30 mg) | 150 units (1.50 mL) |
Administration guidelines: Refer to guidelines | 2.5 mL Reconstitution
Research Supplies Quantity Planner
Scientific mathematical planning of syringes, bacteriostatic water and dry vials needed for extended research blocks using the 50 mg vial.
Peptide Vials (Gotratix, 50 mg each):
- checkEducational subcutaneous model at the standard 20 mg/day uses one 50 mg vial about every 2.5 days; a single 30-day oral-equivalent course (~600 mg) maps to roughly 12 vials.
- check8-week continuous equivalent: about 23 vials.
- check12-week continuous equivalent: about 34 vials.
- check16-week continuous equivalent: about 45 vials — the high count illustrates why Gotratix is sold cheaply as an oral capsule rather than an injectable.
Insulin Syringes (U-100):
- checkOne 1 mL (100-unit) syringe per daily injection, since the standard 20 mg dose fills one full syringe.
- check8-week window: roughly 56 syringes.
- check12-week window: roughly 84 syringes.
- check16-week window: roughly 112 syringes.
Bacteriostatic Water (30 mL bottles): Use 2.5 mL per vial for reconstitution.
- checkEach reconstituted 50 mg vial consumes 2.5 mL of bacteriostatic water.
- check8-week window (~23 vials): about 58 mL, so 2 bottles.
- check12-week window (~34 vials): about 85 mL, so 3 bottles.
- check16-week window (~45 vials): about 113 mL, so 4 bottles.
Alcohol Swabs: clean the vial stopper and injection site before each use.
- checkUse 2 swabs per injection (vial top plus skin), about 14 per week.
- check8-week window: about 112 swabs; 12-week window: about 168 swabs.
- check16-week window: about 224 swabs.
- checkA 200-count box covers roughly 8-12 weeks of daily use.
Mechanism of Action (MOA)
Gotratix is the trade name for an oral preparation of peptide complex A-18, a low-molecular-weight (under roughly 10 kDa) peptide fraction isolated from the skeletal (triceps) muscle of calves under eleven months of age. It belongs to the "Cytomax" line of natural tissue bioregulators developed within Vladimir Khavinson's peptide-regulation framework at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology [1][2]. The central hypothesis of this program is that each tissue produces its own short signaling peptides, that these peptides act as tissue-specific regulators of gene expression rather than as classical hormones, and that the age-related decline of these peptides contributes to organ dysfunction. In laboratory work with fluorescently labeled Khavinson peptides, short peptides have been shown to penetrate the cytoplasm and nucleus and to bind specific DNA sequences in vitro, which is the experimental basis for the proposed gene-regulation mechanism [5][1].\n\nApplied to muscle, Gotratix is marketed as "switching on" the muscle-appropriate transcriptional program: supporting myocyte protein synthesis, satellite-cell (muscle stem-cell) activity, and mitochondrial function, and thereby countering the anabolic resistance and satellite-cell decline that characterize sarcopenia [3][4][8]. Those references must be read correctly: they describe the biology of muscle aging that Gotratix is hypothesized to influence (impaired contraction-induced mTORC1 signaling, blunted IGF-1/Akt/mTOR anabolic signaling, and reduced satellite-cell function in older muscle), not demonstrated effects of Gotratix itself. No peer-reviewed pharmacology or controlled human trial of peptide complex A-18 has been published; the muscle-specific claims rest on manufacturer literature and on extrapolation from the broader Khavinson bioregulator class [6][7].\n\nPharmacokinetics have not been formally characterized. As an unmodified peptide mixture, the intact peptides are expected to be hydrolyzed rapidly by gastric, intestinal, and plasma peptidases, giving a free-peptide half-life on the order of minutes; oral bioavailability of intact peptides is correspondingly low, which is why the product uses a relatively high milligram capsule dose and a fixed 30-day course rather than continuous micro-dosing. Any sustained effect is attributed by the bioregulator literature to downstream changes in gene expression that outlast the peptides themselves, not to circulating drug levels [1][2].\n\nThe real-world route is oral. The once-daily subcutaneous reconstitution scheme on this page is an educational measurement convention used across this site so that milligram doses can be visualized on an insulin syringe; it is not a validated delivery method for Gotratix, and injectable bioregulator forms would in practice use far less peptide than the oral dose because they bypass gastrointestinal breakdown. Gotratix is not approved by the FDA, the EMA, or any major regulator as a drug; it is sold abroad as a supplement and treated here as a research and educational compound only.
Clinical Trial Efficacy Highlights
- starNo peer-reviewed clinical trial of Gotratix or peptide complex A-18 has been published; the muscle-recovery, anti-fatigue, and anti-sarcopenia claims come from manufacturer literature and the broader Khavinson bioregulator concept rather than from controlled studies of this specific product.
- starA 2021 systematic review in Molecules summarizing the Khavinson short-peptide program describes how 2-7 residue peptides can regulate tissue-specific gene expression and protein synthesis, providing the mechanistic rationale invoked for muscle bioregulators like Gotratix while reporting no efficacy data for any commercial muscle product [1].
- starUsing fluorescently labeled Khavinson peptides, Fedoreyeva and colleagues (2011) showed that such short peptides penetrate the nucleus of cultured cells and bind specific DNA oligonucleotides in vitro, lending experimental plausibility to the nuclear DNA-binding mechanism proposed for the Cytomax line [5].
- starThe strongest clinical signal for the Khavinson family comes from a different peptide: a 15-year randomized follow-up by Korkushko, Khavinson, and colleagues reported that the pineal bioregulator epithalamin slowed aging and lowered mortality in elderly patients, but this result studied another peptide and cannot be extrapolated to Gotratix or to muscle outcomes [6].
- starThe target biology is well established even though Gotratix's effect on it is not: Alway and colleagues (2014) reviewed how satellite-cell (muscle stem-cell) function declines in sarcopenia, the very deficit Gotratix is marketed to address [3].
- starFry and colleagues (2011) demonstrated that aging blunts contraction-induced mTORC1 signaling and muscle protein synthesis in humans, illustrating the anabolic-resistance pathway that muscle bioregulators are hypothesized to support, again without testing Gotratix [4].
- starBarclay and colleagues (2019) reviewed how impaired IGF-1/Akt/mTOR signaling drives anabolic resistance in aging skeletal muscle, framing the molecular endpoints a muscle bioregulator would need to influence to be effective [8].
- starA 2019 review in Clinical Epigenetics independently catalogued Khavinson di- to tetrapeptides as endogenous epigenetic modulators, situating the bioregulator concept in externally authored literature, though it does not validate any commercial muscle product [7].
Side Effects & Tolerability Profile
Clinical subjects transiently report mild side effects. Slowly escalating the titration dose represents the single most effective intervention to limit side effects.
- warningNo controlled human safety data exist for Gotratix specifically; the manufacturer describes a strong safety record, but the points below are extrapolated from the Khavinson bioregulator class and general peptide-supplement use.
- warningTaken as intended (orally), the most plausible adverse effects are mild gastrointestinal upset, nausea, or allergic reaction; because the product is bovine-tissue-derived, anyone with a beef or bovine-protein allergy should avoid it.
- warningAs an animal-tissue extract rather than a defined synthetic peptide, batch-to-batch composition and purity cannot be assumed, and theoretical concerns about contaminants in bovine-derived material apply.
- warningFor the educational subcutaneous model only: injecting peptide solution can cause local redness, swelling, bruising, or pain, and any injected peptide carries a theoretical risk of hypersensitivity or immune reaction. Subcutaneous use is not how Gotratix is sold or studied.
- warningManufacturer contraindications include pregnancy, breastfeeding, children under 12, and hypersensitivity to the components; caution is advised in autoimmune disease or with immunosuppressive therapy.
- warningThere are no drug-interaction studies; people on prescription medication should not assume Gotratix is inert or compatible with their treatment.
- warningLong-term and oncologic safety is uncharacterized, particularly given a proposed mechanism that involves modulating cell proliferation and gene expression.
- warningRegulatory status: Gotratix is not approved by the FDA or EMA. It is sold abroad as a dietary supplement and is treated in the United States and many jurisdictions as a research/educational compound only, not a medicine.
Subcutaneous Injection Technique
Most research peptides require subcutaneous injection into fatty tissue. Never inject directly into a blood vessel or deep muscle tissue unless clinically detailed.
1. Site Selection
Common locations include the abdomen (2 inches from navel), outer upper arms, or thighs.
2. Sanitization
Thoroughly clean the selected site, stopper and vial top using 70% isopropyl alcohol prep swabs.
3. Angle & Push
Pinch the skin and insert the needle at a 45 to 90-degree angle. Depress plunger smoothly.
4. Site Rotation
Rotate injection sites continuously to avoid lipodystrophy or tissue scarring.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the typical Gotratix dosage?expand_more
On product labels the typical Gotratix dosage is about 10 mg of active peptide complex A-18 per capsule, taken as 1-2 capsules once or twice daily with meals (roughly 10-40 mg/day, most commonly around 20 mg/day). The standard course is 30 days, repeated every 4-6 months. Gotratix is taken orally; the per-injection milligram figures and the 50 mg vial on this page are an educational subcutaneous reconstitution reference only, not a clinically validated dose, because no controlled human trials have established a safe or effective injectable dose.
Is Gotratix FDA approved?expand_more
No. Gotratix is not approved by the FDA, the EMA, or any other major regulator as a drug, and there are no published human clinical trials of the product. It originates from the Khavinson 'Cytomax' bioregulator program and is sold abroad as a dietary supplement; in the United States and many jurisdictions it is treated as a research/educational compound only. Nothing on this page should be read as a claim that it is safe or effective for treating any condition.
How do you reconstitute Gotratix for the educational subcutaneous model?expand_more
For Gotratix reconstitution in this site's educational model, draw 2.5 mL of bacteriostatic water and inject it slowly down the inner wall of a 50 mg vial, then swirl gently (never shake) until the powder dissolves into a clear solution. This gives 20 mg/mL, so 10 mg is 50 units (0.5 mL) and the standard 20 mg is 100 units (1.0 mL, one full U-100 syringe). Keep the vial refrigerated and discard after about 3-4 weeks. In real-world use there is no reconstitution at all, because Gotratix is simply swallowed as a capsule.
What is Gotratix's half-life?expand_more
Gotratix's half life has not been characterized in published pharmacokinetic studies. As an unmodified mixture of short peptides, the intact molecules are expected to be broken down rapidly by gastric, intestinal, and plasma peptidases, giving a free-peptide plasma half-life on the order of minutes. The Khavinson bioregulator framework attributes any longer-lasting effect to downstream changes in gene expression that outlast the peptides themselves, which is why the product is dosed in fixed 30-day courses rather than by chasing steady blood levels.
How is Gotratix taken, and can it be stacked with other Khavinson bioregulators?expand_more
Gotratix is taken orally as a capsule with meals, usually 1-2 capsules once or twice daily for 30 days. In the bioregulator literature, tissue-specific Cytomaxes are frequently combined (for example a muscle peptide alongside vascular, thymic, or pineal peptides such as Vesugen, Vladonix, or Epitalon), and Gotratix is often marketed as part of such stacks. However, there are no controlled data on the safety, interactions, added benefit, or potential Gotratix side effects of any such combination, and stacking unapproved compounds multiplies the unknowns. This is general information on how to dose Gotratix, not medical advice; consult a qualified clinician first.
Related Guides & Tools
Step-by-step references for reconstituting, measuring, and storing Gotratix, plus the universal dosing calculator.
Academic References & Study Citations
Khavinson VK, Popovich IG, Linkova NS, Mironova ES, Ilina AR. Peptide Regulation of Gene Expression: A Systematic Review. Molecules. 2021;26(22):7053. View Scientific Paper →
Khavinson VKh. Peptides and Ageing. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2002;23 Suppl 3:11-144. View Scientific Paper →
Alway SE, Myers MJ, Mohamed JS. Regulation of Satellite Cell Function in Sarcopenia. Front Aging Neurosci. 2014;6:246. View Scientific Paper →
Fry CS, Drummond MJ, Glynn EL, et al. Aging impairs contraction-induced human skeletal muscle mTORC1 signaling and protein synthesis. Skelet Muscle. 2011;1(1):11. View Scientific Paper →
Fedoreyeva LI, Kireev II, Khavinson VKh, Vanyushin BF. Penetration of short fluorescence-labeled peptides into the nucleus in HeLa cells and in vitro specific interaction of the peptides with deoxyribooligonucleotides and DNA. Biochemistry (Mosc). 2011;76(11):1210-1219. View Scientific Paper →
Korkushko OV, Khavinson VKh, Shatilo VB, Antonyk-Sheglova IA. Peptide geroprotector from the pituitary gland inhibits rapid aging of elderly people: results of 15-year follow-up. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2011;151(3):366-369. View Scientific Paper →
Janssens Y, Wynendaele E, Vanden Berghe W, De Spiegeleer B. Peptides as epigenetic modulators: therapeutic implications. Clin Epigenetics. 2019;11(1):101. View Scientific Paper →
Barclay RD, Burd NA, Tyler C, Tillin NA, Mackenzie RW. The Role of the IGF-1 Signaling Cascade in Muscle Protein Synthesis and Anabolic Resistance in Aging Skeletal Muscle. Front Nutr. 2019;6:146. View Scientific Paper →