5-Amino-1MQ: Reference Overview and Reconstitution Notes

5-Amino-1MQ

What it is

5-Amino-1MQ (5-amino-1-methylquinolinium) is a synthetic, membrane-permeable small molecule, not a peptide. It is described in the literature as a selective inhibitor of the enzyme nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT), and it is often catalogued alongside research peptides for convenience only.

Research context and categorization

5-Amino-1MQ is generally grouped under the metabolic and weight-regulation category of research compounds, and it is commonly discussed in relation to the NAD+ and SAM (S-adenosylmethionine) methylation cycles. NNMT uses a methyl donor to convert nicotinamide, a precursor cells use to build NAD+, into 1-methylnicotinamide. Because the enzyme is reported to be elevated in aged fat tissue and in some metabolically stressed tissue, inhibiting it is the mechanism researchers study.

In neutral terms, 5-Amino-1MQ is investigated for its effect on cellular NAD+ pools and is studied in the context of adipose (fat) tissue metabolism, body composition, glucose handling, and skeletal-muscle aging in preclinical models. The most cited work is a 2018 diet-induced-obesity mouse study that reported reduced body and fat mass without a change in food intake. These uses are investigational. There are no published human clinical trials and no confirmed or approved human benefit. Anything described here reflects laboratory and animal research context, not established outcomes.

Status

  • Regulatory status: Research-only. Not FDA-approved for any indication, with no publicly registered human trial or IND on record as of 2026. It is not a controlled substance under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act.
  • Sport status: Not specifically listed by name on the WADA Prohibited List. However, because it is a pharmacological substance not approved for human therapeutic use, it may be captured under S0 (Non-Approved Substances), and as a metabolic modulator it could be considered in relation to S4 (Hormone and Metabolic Modulators). Athletes subject to testing should verify the current status with their own governing body before assuming it is permitted.

Reconstitution notes (general)

For any lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder supplied in a vial, working concentration equals the milligrams of compound in the vial divided by the millilitres of bacteriostatic water added. For example, 50 mg reconstituted with 2 mL of bacteriostatic water gives 25 mg/mL. To work out a specific volume, use the reconstitution calculator at /pages/tools.

Dilution and handling notes (compound-specific)

5-Amino-1MQ is sold in two very different formats, so identify which you have before mixing anything.

  • As an oral capsule or oral powder: this is a common consumer-research format, because it is a small molecule that is stable in that form. Here reconstitution does not apply. There is nothing to mix with bacteriostatic water, and the vial-and-water workflow below is not relevant. Treat it as a finished solid.
  • As a lyophilized powder in a vial: some suppliers offer it this way for reconstitution. Reported aqueous solubility is roughly 10 to 15 mg/mL in plain water at room temperature. Common reconstitution ranges land near 1 to 3 mL of bacteriostatic water per 50 mg vial, spanning about 16.7 mg/mL (3 mL) up to about 50 mg/mL (1 mL). Smaller water volumes keep the handling volume low, but pushing the concentration well past the low solubility range is exactly where problems appear.

Practical quirks worth noting for the powder-vial form: - Slow dissolution. The powder does not always clear instantly. Direct the water down the inner wall of the vial rather than onto the cake, let it sit, then swirl or roll gently. Full dissolution can take from a few minutes to considerably longer, and stubborn material may need extended resting with occasional gentle swirling. - Clouding and precipitation. Concentrated or high-pH solutions are prone to going cloudy or throwing particulate. Solubility is better in slightly acidic water and drops off as pH climbs, with precipitation reported above roughly pH 8. The practical fix is to keep the concentration within the solubility range, use fresh bacteriostatic water in a neutral to slightly acidic range, and, if faint particulate remains, pass the solution through a 0.22 micron filter. Cloudiness that will not clear means the batch should not be used. - Avoid shaking. Vigorous shaking encourages foaming and does not help this compound dissolve. Gentle swirling is preferred. - Color as a flag. A yellow or brown tint points to oxidative degradation of the quinolinium ring. Discoloration is not reversible, so a discolored solution should be discarded rather than salvaged.

If your product is the oral capsule form, skip the mixing steps entirely.

Handling and storage

Refrigerate reconstituted solution at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius and keep it out of light. Wipe the stopper with an alcohol swab before each puncture, and label the vial with the mix date. Observe the general four-week (about 28 day) refrigerated window as a working guideline. Discard anything that turns cloudy, discolored, or develops floaters or particulate. Store sealed capsules or dry powder cool, dry, and out of light per the supplier label.

Related reading

Tools and supplies

For laboratory and research reference only. Educational content, not medical, dosing, injection, or therapeutic guidance, and not intended for human or animal use. Any research uses described are investigational and not confirmed or approved benefits. Confirm anything involving health with a licensed professional. References linked above.