Thymalin vs Setmelanotide
A detailed comparison to help you understand the differences and choose the right peptide for your research goals.
Thymalin
Thymalin is a polypeptide preparation derived from calf thymus. Developed in Russia, it has been used for decades to support immune function and has shown potential anti-aging effects in long-term studies.
Full details →Setmelanotide
Setmelanotide (Imcivree) is an FDA-approved MC4R agonist for chronic weight management in patients with obesity due to specific genetic conditions (POMC, PCSK1, or LEPR deficiency).
Full details →Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | Thymalin | Setmelanotide |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | Regulates the ratio of T-cell subpopulations, stimulates cellular immunity, and enhances phagocytosis. Also affects neuroendocrine regulation and may influence melatonin production. | Selective agonist of melanocortin 4 receptors (MC4R) in the hypothalamus, restoring the satiety signaling pathway that is disrupted in certain genetic obesity syndromes. |
| Typical Dosage | Clinical protocols: 5-20mg daily intramuscularly for 3-10 days. Often cycled 1-2 times per year for maintenance. | Adults: Start 2mg daily, titrate based on tolerability up to 3mg daily. Pediatrics (6+): Weight-based dosing starting at 1mg daily. |
| Administration | Intramuscular injection. Usually administered in short courses rather than continuously. Often combined with Epithalamin for anti-aging protocols. | Subcutaneous injection once daily. Requires genetic testing to confirm eligible mutations before prescribing. |
| Side Effects | Generally well-tolerated. May cause injection site reactions or temporary flu-like symptoms as immune function is modulated. | Injection site reactions, skin hyperpigmentation, spontaneous penile erections, depression, and suicidal ideation (boxed warning). GI effects less common than GLP-1s. |
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