Pentapeptide-18 vs Adipotide
Side-by-side comparison of key properties, dosing, and research.
Skin & CosmeticAnti-Aging & Longevity
Pentapeptide-18Fat Loss & Metabolic
Adipotide- Summary
- Pentapeptide-18 (Leuphasyl) is a synthetic pentapeptide that mimics the sequence of enkephalin, an endogenous neuropeptide. It acts on neuronal pain receptors in facial muscles to reduce muscle contraction intensity and depth of expression lines, functioning similarly to Argireline (Acetyl Hexapeptide-3) but via a different receptor mechanism.
- Adipotide (FTPP) is a chimeric proapoptotic peptide that selectively targets and destroys blood vessels feeding white adipose tissue. It binds prohibitin on the vasculature of fat tissue, delivering a proapoptotic sequence that induces cell death in fat-specific blood vessels, causing targeted fat tissue regression.
- Half-Life
- Not applicable (topical)
- Estimated 2-4 hours
- Admin Route
- Topical
- Subcutaneous, Intravenous (research)
- Research
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- Typical Dose
- 0.005–0.05% in formulation
- Not established for humans; primate studies used 0.1-1 mg/kg
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Daily for 4 weeks (research protocol)
- Key Benefits
- Reduces depth of expression lines (forehead, crow's feet, glabellar)
- Inhibits acetylcholine release for muscle-relaxing effect
- Complementary mechanism to Argireline for enhanced anti-wrinkle activity
- Reversible and well-tolerated
- No risk of systemic paralysis at cosmetic concentrations
- Suitable for daily use in serums and creams
- Targeted reduction of white adipose tissue
- Promotes fat vasculature apoptosis without systemic toxicity
- Demonstrated significant fat loss in primate studies
- Potential for visceral and subcutaneous fat reduction
- Novel non-hormonal mechanism distinct from GLP-1 agonists
- Explored for obesity and metabolic syndrome
- Side Effects
- Generally very well-tolerated topically
- Rare skin sensitivity or mild irritation
- Theoretical opioid receptor desensitization with very prolonged high-dose use (not documented cosmetically)
- Renal toxicity observed in primate studies (transient, dose-dependent)
- Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances in research
- Weight regain upon cessation
- Limited human data; side effect profile largely from animal studies
- Stacks With
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