Skip to content

MOTS-c vs SS-31

Updated 13 sources

Key differences

  1. 1MOTS-c is a natural 16 amino acid peptide that signals through AMPK and can move into the nucleus. SS-31 is a synthetic 4 amino acid peptide that binds cardiolipin inside mitochondria.
  2. 2SS-31 has human randomized trials, several of which missed their endpoints, and an FDA accelerated approval as Forzinity (2025-09-19) for Barth syndrome only. Its trials use 40 mg a day.
  3. 3MOTS-c has no approval and no completed human efficacy trial. It is usually run 1 to 3 times a week, not daily.
  4. 4SS-31 is a synthetic 4 amino acid peptide that binds cardiolipin. MOTS-c is a 16 amino acid peptide made from mitochondrial DNA that acts through AMPK and insulin sensitivity.
  5. 5SS-31 is dosed daily and has Phase 3 data and one FDA approval. MOTS-c is usually run 2 to 3 times a week, with limited human data and no approval.
  6. 6Guides list half-lives of 2 to 4 hours for SS-31 and 4 to 6 hours for MOTS-c; the MOTS-c figure has never been measured.

Side by side

Facts from each record, in the same words as their own pages.
MOTS-c and SS-31 side by side
MOTS-cSS-31
Category
  • Longevity, Weight loss
  • Longevity
Evidence
  • Animal data only
  • Some human trials
FDA status
  • Not FDA approvedRegulatory
  • FDA approved as ForzinityRegulatory
WADA
  • Prohibited
  • Not confirmed
Half-life
  • Never measured in people. FDA found no in-vivo study, only a lab study showing fast breakdown in human blood. Figures of 1 to 6 hours on other sites are unsourced estimates.Clinical study
  • About 3 to 4 hours in plasma per FDA. A 2021 paper cites a 16-hour half-time in human blood, and dogs given it IV showed about 4 hours. Sources disagree.Clinical study
Routes
  • Subcutaneous injection
  • Subcutaneous injection, Intravenous (IV)
Forms
  • Vial (powder)
  • Vial (powder), Other form
Reported doses
  • 0.8 to 10 mg (subcutaneous injection)
  • 200 to 1,000 mcg (subcutaneous injection)
  • 0.5 to 80 mg (subcutaneous injection)
  • 0.5 mg/kg (intravenous (iv))
  • 100 to 500 mcg (subcutaneous injection)
Most cited frequency
  • 2 to 3 times a week
  • Once daily
Vial sizes
  • 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mgCompetitor guide
  • 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, 40 mg, 50 mgCompetitor guide
Mixed vial keeps
  • Fridge, 2 to 8 C, never frozen.Competitor guide
  • Fridge, 2 to 8 C, out of light.Competitor guide
Protocols on file
  • 16
  • 35

Doses shown are what sources report, labelled by origin. Not medical advice.

Read each in full

Sources

13 sources, each checked by date. Record updated Oct 24, 2026. Numbers are restated in our own words and labelled by where they came from.

Clinical study3

  1. PubMed search: MOTS-c pharmacokinetics or half-lifePubMed · checked Oct 23, 2026
  2. Roshanravan B et al. 2021, in vivo mitochondrial ATP production improved after a single dose of elamipretidePubMed Central · checked Oct 23, 2026
  3. SS-31, Cognitive Vitality for ResearchersAlzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation, via a reference work · checked Oct 23, 2026

Competitor guide4

  1. MOTS-c vs SS-31outliyr.com · checked Oct 23, 2026
  2. MOTS-c vs SS-31bodyhackguide.co · checked Oct 23, 2026
  3. SS-31 + MOTS-c mitochondrial stack guidepeptiq.io · checked Oct 23, 2026
  4. Best mitochondrial peptides: SS-31 and MOTS-cpeptiq.io · checked Oct 23, 2026