Cardarine (GW501516)
Muscle & Strength · PPAR-delta agonist (not a SARM)
Tier C-
High-risk evidence profile
Bottom line
Read Off Label grades Cardarine (GW501516) as C- (4.2/10) based on moderate evidence, very high benefit magnitude, and a very high — gsk halted development due to multi-organ carcinogenesis in 2-year rodent studies-risk safety profile.
Its high-risk evidence profile reflects a Safety score of 0/10; reported benefits and harms can differ by indication, dose, route, duration, and population.
One of very few performance compounds with explicit published cancer warnings from its originating pharma company.
Studied, labeled, or reported-use context: Reported illicit exposure: 10-20 mg/day; no approved human dose — NOT FDA-approved; gray market; WADA banned with special cancer warning to athletes; not individualized guidance.
What the evidence says
One of very few performance compounds with explicit published cancer warnings from its originating pharma company. WADA issued an unusual notice specifically warning athletes about cancer risk beyond just the anti-doping violation. Commonly mislabeled as a SARM — mechanism is entirely different (PPAR-δ, not AR). Development was halted after multi-organ tumor findings in long-term rodent studies; there is no approved human indication.
Mechanism
PPAR-delta agonist; increases fatty acid oxidation, mitochondrial biogenesis, endurance; originally GSK developed for dyslipidemia; DISCONTINUED 2007 AFTER LONG-TERM RODENT STUDIES SHOWED TUMOR FORMATION IN MULTIPLE ORGANS
Studied, labeled, or reported dose & route
Reported illicit exposure: 10-20 mg/day; no approved human dose
This records doses and routes described in studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use. It is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety; context changes with indication, formulation, health history, monitoring, and other medicines.
Citations
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Common questions
- What does the evidence show about Cardarine (GW501516)'s effects?
- Read Off Label rates the evidence for Cardarine (GW501516) as Moderate and the benefit magnitude as very high, producing an overall grade of C- (4.2/10). One of very few performance compounds with explicit published cancer warnings from its originating pharma company.
- What safety findings are reported for Cardarine (GW501516)?
- Cardarine (GW501516) has a very high — gsk halted development due to multi-organ carcinogenesis in 2-year rodent studies risk profile in the database. Very High — GSK halted development due to multi-organ carcinogenesis in 2-year rodent studies; WADA banned with unprecedented athlete warning Legal status: NOT FDA-approved; gray market; WADA banned with special cancer warning to athletes.
- What does the low Safety score for Cardarine (GW501516) represent?
- The Safety score is 0/10. It records the substantial harms described for one or more use contexts; the Benefit score, indication, dose, route, duration, population, and legal status remain separate parts of the evidence profile.
- What doses or routes are reported for Cardarine (GW501516)?
- Reported illicit exposure: 10-20 mg/day; no approved human dose This is context from studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use; it is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety.
- How does Cardarine (GW501516) work?
- PPAR-delta agonist; increases fatty acid oxidation, mitochondrial biogenesis, endurance; originally GSK developed for dyslipidemia; DISCONTINUED 2007 AFTER LONG-TERM RODENT STUDIES SHOWED TUMOR FORMATION IN MULTIPLE ORGANS
This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.