Legal status · Canada
Is AICAR legal in Canada?
No. AICAR is not an approved medicine in Canada; its classification is "Not authorized for sale". Nothing containing it is authorized for any use in people. Vials labeled "for research use only" are not exempt: that label does not make human use lawful. Human evidence: Preliminary.
AICAR in Canada at a glance
| Classification | Not authorized for sale |
|---|---|
| Note | Prohibited in sport in and out of competition (WADA S4.5) since 2009 |
| Health Canada approval status | Not approved by Health Canada |
| Evidence level | Preliminary (research strength: Moderate) |
| Reviewed | Sep 2026 |
Classification and note come from the AICAR profile, checked against Health Canada, Health Products and Food Branch (Health Canada) listings at the reviewed date.
What this means
- 01
No product containing AICAR is approved by Health Canada for any use in Canada, so nothing on the market is authorized for people.
- 02
"Research use only" is a vendor label, not a legal category that permits human use. It does not exempt a product from medicines law.
- 03
Importing, supplying or promoting it for human use can fall under medicines legislation in Canada. This page is general information, not legal advice.
What AICAR is
The original 'exercise in a pill' from a 2008 Cell paper, an AMPK activator banned by WADA since 2009; human programs in heart surgery and leukemia failed to produce an approved drug, and effective animal doses are impractically large.
AICAR is converted inside cells to ZMP, which mimics AMP and switches on AMPK. In sedentary mice it raised running endurance by about 44%.
Mechanism: Intracellular conversion to ZMP, an AMP analog that activates AMPK and downstream PGC-1alpha and PPARdelta programs.
Regulatory history: Never approved
How Health Canada treats this kind of product
Authorises drugs for sale through a Notice of Compliance and Drug Identification Number. A compound that is not authorised for sale cannot lawfully be sold for human use, and personal importation of prescription drugs is limited.
The classification above is the The Longevity Archive reading of Health Canada, Health Products and Food Branch listings for AICAR at the reviewed date, not a legal opinion. Rules change, and importing, prescribing and possessing a compound can each be treated differently. Check the regulator directly before acting on anything here.
AICAR in other countries
United States
Not approvedNot approved; sold 'for research use only'
Is AICAR legal in the United States?United Kingdom
Not approvedUnlicensed medicine; supply for human use is unlawful
Is AICAR legal in the United Kingdom?Australia
Not approvedNot approved; Schedule 4 or import-restricted
Is AICAR legal in Australia?Frequently asked questions
Is AICAR legal in Canada?
No. AICAR is not an approved medicine in Canada; its classification is "Not authorized for sale". Nothing containing it is authorized for any use in people. Vials labeled "for research use only" are not exempt: that label does not make human use lawful. Human evidence: Preliminary. Note: Prohibited in sport in and out of competition (WADA S4.5) since 2009
Can I buy AICAR in Canada?
No approved product exists to buy. In Canada AICAR is classified as "Not authorized for sale", so there is no licensed pharmacy product. Vendors selling it "for research use only" are not selling it for human use, and that label does not change its legal status. This site does not list or recommend vendors. Note: Prohibited in sport in and out of competition (WADA S4.5) since 2009
Is AICAR Health Canada approved?
No. In Canada AICAR is classified as "Not authorized for sale", which is not a Health Canada marketing approval. For comparison, the US FDA status is: Never approved. Evidence level: Preliminary.
Related compounds in Canada
Full research profile
Mechanism, cited studies, FDA status and the full legal summary for AICAR live on its compound profile.
AICAR profileThis page is general information about the regulatory status of AICAR in Canada, current as of Sep 2026. It is not legal advice, and classifications change; check Health Canada, Health Products and Food Branch directly or consult a lawyer for a specific situation. Educational use only. This database summarizes published research. It is not medical advice and contains no dosing protocols or recommendations for personal use. The Longevity Archive has no vendor relationships and does not recommend where to buy anything.