MOTS-c

Is MOTS-c legal in the US?

Not approved for human use in the US. We list it so you can learn what it is, but we do not link to anyone selling it. FDA removed it from the Category 2 "significant safety risk" compounding list on April 15, 2026, and FDA's advisory committee narrowly recommended adding it to the 503A bulks list in July 2026. It is not on that list yet: FDA still has to finish rulemaking, so there is no settled lawful compounding route today. The July 2026 vote was 7-5, reviewed for obesity and osteoporosis.

As of September 23, 2026.

How does MOTS-c work?

What does the evidence say about MOTS-c?

Evidence is from cell and animal studies; FDA noted no meaningful human exposure data.

Why are clinicians and regulators cautious about MOTS-c?

Researchers find MOTS-c biologically interesting, but regulators stress that nobody knows what it does in humans.

• FDA's July 2026 briefing document found no information on MOTS-c given to humans; its pharmacology studies were limited to cells and rodents.

  FDA briefing document for the July 2026 advisory committee: MOTS-c

• FDA reviewers wrote that it is difficult to predict which organs MOTS-c might affect, and that it may pose a significant risk of immune reactions.

  FDA briefing document for the July 2026 advisory committee: MOTS-c

• USADA says there are no completed human clinical trials, and MOTS-c is named on the WADA 2026 list as a prohibited metabolic modulator.

  USADA: What is MOTS-c?

• The FDA advisory committee voted 7 to 5 in July 2026 to recommend adding MOTS-c for obesity and osteoporosis, after FDA staff recommended against it.

  McDermott Will & Schulte: PCAC backs majority of peptides in two-day public meeting (July 2026)

Summaries of published guidelines, drug labels, regulators and reviews, each attributed to its source. DiscoverMedica does not employ clinicians.

Who should avoid MOTS-c?

What are the risks and side effects of MOTS-c?

• Not approved for human use. Products sold online as "research chemicals" are not made to drug standards, so identity, purity, sterility and dose are unverified.
• FDA flagged a significant immunogenicity risk.
• Effects in people, good or bad, are essentially unstudied.

What should you ask a clinician about MOTS-c?

• Which proven metabolic treatments should I consider first?
• Are there labs that would show whether my metabolism needs treatment?

These save with the compound when you add it to My Journal, so they’re on the printout for your visit.

Where can I get MOTS-c?

MOTS-c is not approved for human use, so DiscoverMedica links to no seller.

We don’t link to sellers of research-only compounds. Products sold “for research use only” are not made for people and are not held to pharmaceutical quality standards.

Compare and learn

• What does “research use only” mean for peptides?

MOTS-c: questions, answered

Sources

• PubChem: MOTS-c (CID 146675088)
• FDA: Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee meeting, July 23-24, 2026
• MOTS-c: a mitochondrial-derived peptide for therapeutic exploitation (review, 2023)

Also checked for this guide

• FDA briefing document for the July 2026 advisory committee: MOTS-c
• FDA: Bulk drug substances that may present significant safety risks (Category 2)
• McDermott Will & Schulte: PCAC backs majority of peptides in two-day public meeting (July 2026)
• USADA: What is MOTS-c?
• WADA 2026 Prohibited List (PDF mirror)

Guide reviewed September 23, 2026.

Educational information only, not medical advice. It does not replace a conversation with a licensed clinician.