Cardarine (GW501516)
MetabolicDiscontinuedAlso known as: GW501516, GW-501516, GW1516, GSK-516, Endurobol, Cardarin
Cardarine is the market name for GW501516, a synthetic agonist of the nuclear receptor PPAR-delta developed by GlaxoSmithKline as a treatment for low HDL cholesterol and the lipid problems that travel with metabolic syndrome. It is not a SARM and has nothing to do with androgen receptors, despite being sold alongside them.
Overview
At A Glance
GW501516 is a selective agonist of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPAR-delta, also written PPAR-beta/delta), a ligand-activated transcription factor expressed strongly in skeletal muscle, heart, adipose tissue and macrophages. Binding activates transcription of…
Overview
Cardarine is the market name for GW501516, a synthetic agonist of the nuclear receptor PPAR-delta developed by GlaxoSmithKline as a treatment for low HDL cholesterol and the lipid problems that travel with metabolic syndrome. It is not a SARM and has nothing to do with androgen receptors, despite being sold alongside them. Company trials reached phase 2 and the program ended there. GW501516 has never been approved by any regulator. PPAR-delta is a transcription factor found in muscle, fat and liver that controls the genes for burning fat. Turning it on shifts cells toward using fatty acids for fuel instead of carbohydrate. In human skeletal muscle cells, GW501516 increased fat oxidation and raised expression of CPT1, CD36 and ABCA1 (PMID: 17110604). The endurance reputation is built on rodent work. In mice, a PPAR-delta agonist combined with exercise training increased oxidative muscle fibers and running endurance beyond training alone, and the same paper coined the phrase exercise mimetic (PMID: 18674809). Mice treated with GW501516 also showed improved muscle function in a muscular dystrophy model (PMID: 22908954). No human trial has ever measured endurance, VO2max or time to exhaustion on this drug. What the human trials did measure was blood lipids. In healthy volunteers dosed for two weeks, HDL cholesterol rose in both treatment groups while it fell on placebo, and clearance of fat after a meal improved (PMID: 17110604). In 268 people with low HDL, twelve weeks of treatment raised HDL by up to 16.9 percent and lowered triglycerides by 16.9 percent, apolipoprotein B by 14.9 percent and LDL cholesterol by 7.3 percent (PMID: 22814748). Two weeks in moderately overweight men lowered triglycerides by 30 percent and liver fat by 20 percent (PMID: 18024853), and a crossover study in dyslipidemic men with central obesity mapped the lipoprotein kinetics behind those changes (PMID: 21816786). The cancer question is the reason this compound is not on pharmacy shelves. In Apc(min) mice, which are prone to intestinal polyps, GW501516 significantly increased both the number and the size of polyps, with a fivefold rise in polyps larger than 2 mm (PMID: 14758356). A later mouse study found that the same agonist accelerated colorectal tumorigenesis while a PPAR-delta antagonist suppressed it (PMID: 30679176). Reviewing that work, researchers warned in print that PPAR-delta agonists then in development for dyslipidemia and obesity might raise tumor risk in humans (PMID: 15539957). GW1516 was added to the WADA prohibited list in January 2009 and its urinary metabolites were characterized for routine doping control (PMID: 19946680). When 44 internet products sold as SARMs were analyzed, GW501516 was among the unapproved drugs found in products that did not declare it (PMID: 29183075).
Potential Research Fields
Chemical Information
IUPAC Name
Not yet available
CAS Number
317318-70-0
Molecular Formula
C21H18F3NO3S2
Molecular Mass
453.51 g/mol
Dosing & Protocols
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Interactions
Contraindications
Mechanism-based and animal-data-based: the demonstrated promotion of intestinal tumor growth in mice argues against use by anyone with a personal or family history of colorectal polyps, colorectal cancer or Lynch-type syndromes (PMID: 14758356; PMID: 30679176). No human pregnancy, lactation, pediatric, hepatic or renal impairment data exist. Prohibited at all times in tested sport under WADA section S4.4 (PMID: 19946680).
Research Disclaimer
This interaction data is compiled from published research and community reports. It may not be exhaustive. Always consult a healthcare professional before combining compounds.
$84.99
$0.1700
1
1
liquid
| Vendor | Product | Form | Qty | Price | $/mg | Coupon | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Cardarine (GW501516) 50 mg/mL, 10 mL | liquid | 10 mL (50 mg/mL)● In Stock | $84.99BEST | $0.170 | — |
Tracking since Sep 7, 2026 · 1 data point
Vendors Selling Cardarine (GW501516)
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Every supplier above is graded 0–100 on COA verification, payment transparency, shipping, reviews, and active listings. Methodology published, no pay-to-rank.
Related Compounds
View AllAICAR (acadesine)
MetabolicPhase 3AICAR is a nucleoside analog of adenosine.
Amlexanox
MetabolicFDA ApprovedAmlexanox is an old anti-inflammatory drug with a second life.
Berberine
MetabolicPreclinicalBerberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid — a naturally occurring plant secondary metabolite with a characteristic yellow color — extracted from the roots, rhizomes, stems, and bark of several plant genera including Berberis (barberry, Oregon grape), Coptis (goldthread), Hydrastis (goldenseal), Phellodendron (Amur cork tree), and Tinospora (guduchi).
Metformin
MetabolicPreclinicalMetformin is a biguanide-class oral antihyperglycemic medication that has been in continuous clinical use since 1957 (in France under the brand name Glucophage) and is now the most-prescribed diabetes medication worldwide with over 150 million prescriptions annually.
SLU-PP-915
MetabolicPreclinicalSLU-PP-915 is an experimental agonist of the estrogen-related receptors, a family of three orphan nuclear receptors called ERR-alpha, ERR-beta and ERR-gamma that control genes for mitochondrial biogenesis, oxidative phosphorylation, fatty acid oxidation and the Krebs cycle.
Sobetirome (GC-1)
MetabolicDiscontinuedSobetirome, also called GC-1 and later QRX-431, is a synthetic analog of thyroid hormone made in Thomas Scanlan laboratory and first described in 1998 as a high-affinity, subtype-selective agonist for the thyroid hormone receptor (PMID: 9653548).
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Protocols, calculator & safety for Cardarine (GW501516)
Research Score
0 PubMed studies
Quality Indicators
Data Completeness
63%Quick Facts
Half-Life
Not reported in the published human trials; the phase 1 and phase 2 studies described lipid outcomes over two to twelve weeks of oral dosing without publishing a terminal half-life (PMID: 17110604; PMID: 22814748)
Molecular Weight
453.51 g/mol
Administration
Oral
CAS Number
317318-70-0
Trial Phase
Discontinued
Research Disclaimer
This information is for educational and research purposes only. Not intended as medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cardarine (GW501516) used for in research?
Cardarine is the market name for GW501516, a synthetic agonist of the nuclear receptor PPAR-delta developed by GlaxoSmithKline as a treatment for low HDL cholesterol and the lipid problems that travel with metabolic syndrome. It is not a SARM and has nothing to do with androgen receptors, despite being sold alongside them. Company trials reached phase 2 and the program ended there. GW501516 has never been approved by any regulator.
PPAR-delta is a transcription factor found in muscle, fat and liver that controls the genes for burning fat. Turning it on shifts cells toward using fatty acids for fuel instead of carbohydrate. In human skeletal muscle cells, GW501516 increased fat oxidation and raised expression of CPT1, CD36 and ABCA1 (PMID: 17110604).
The endurance reputation is built on rodent work. In mice, a PPAR-delta agonist combined with exercise training increased oxidative muscle fibers and running endurance beyond training alone, and the same paper coined the phrase exercise mimetic (PMID: 18674809). Mice treated with GW501516 also showed improved muscle function in a muscular dystrophy model (PMID: 22908954). No human trial has ever measured endurance, VO2max or time to exhaustion on this drug.
What the human trials did measure was blood lipids. In healthy volunteers dosed for two weeks, HDL cholesterol rose in both treatment groups while it fell on placebo, and clearance of fat after a meal improved (PMID: 17110604). In 268 people with low HDL, twelve weeks of treatment raised HDL by up to 16.9 percent and lowered triglycerides by 16.9 percent, apolipoprotein B by 14.9 percent and LDL cholesterol by 7.3 percent (PMID: 22814748). Two weeks in moderately overweight men lowered triglycerides by 30 percent and liver fat by 20 percent (PMID: 18024853), and a crossover study in dyslipidemic men with central obesity mapped the lipoprotein kinetics behind those changes (PMID: 21816786).
The cancer question is the reason this compound is not on pharmacy shelves. In Apc(min) mice, which are prone to intestinal polyps, GW501516 significantly increased both the number and the size of polyps, with a fivefold rise in polyps larger than 2 mm (PMID: 14758356). A later mouse study found that the same agonist accelerated colorectal tumorigenesis while a PPAR-delta antagonist suppressed it (PMID: 30679176). Reviewing that work, researchers warned in print that PPAR-delta agonists then in development for dyslipidemia and obesity might raise tumor risk in humans (PMID: 15539957).
GW1516 was added to the WADA prohibited list in January 2009 and its urinary metabolites were characterized for routine doping control (PMID: 19946680). When 44 internet products sold as SARMs were analyzed, GW501516 was among the unapproved drugs found in products that did not declare it (PMID: 29183075).
What forms does Cardarine (GW501516) come in?
Cardarine (GW501516) is available in liquid form.
How much does Cardarine (GW501516) cost?
Prices start at $84.99 across 1 verified vendor.
How do I compare Cardarine (GW501516) vendors?
Compare prices, payment methods, shipping, and COA scores across 1 vendor.
Research Tools
Related Compounds
View AllAICAR (acadesine)
MetabolicPhase 3AICAR is a nucleoside analog of adenosine.
Amlexanox
MetabolicFDA ApprovedAmlexanox is an old anti-inflammatory drug with a second life.
Berberine
MetabolicPreclinicalBerberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid — a naturally occurring plant secondary metabolite with a characteristic yellow color — extracted from the roots, rhizomes, stems, and bark of several plant genera including Berberis (barberry, Oregon grape), Coptis (goldthread), Hydrastis (goldenseal), Phellodendron (Amur cork tree), and Tinospora (guduchi).
Metformin
MetabolicPreclinicalMetformin is a biguanide-class oral antihyperglycemic medication that has been in continuous clinical use since 1957 (in France under the brand name Glucophage) and is now the most-prescribed diabetes medication worldwide with over 150 million prescriptions annually.
SLU-PP-915
MetabolicPreclinicalSLU-PP-915 is an experimental agonist of the estrogen-related receptors, a family of three orphan nuclear receptors called ERR-alpha, ERR-beta and ERR-gamma that control genes for mitochondrial biogenesis, oxidative phosphorylation, fatty acid oxidation and the Krebs cycle.
Sobetirome (GC-1)
MetabolicDiscontinuedSobetirome, also called GC-1 and later QRX-431, is a synthetic analog of thyroid hormone made in Thomas Scanlan laboratory and first described in 1998 as a high-affinity, subtype-selective agonist for the thyroid hormone receptor (PMID: 9653548).
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