Research compounds
Motilin
MLN
Motilin is a 22-amino-acid gut hormone that drives the migrating motor complex, the wave of contractions that sweeps the fasting gastrointestinal tract. It is the reason erythromycin is used as a prokinetic.
- Status
- Motilin is a research compound and not approved by the FDA for human use.
- Evidence
- Early human data. Only small or early-phase studies in people so far.
- Half-life
- Approximately 4 to 5 minutes.
- How it's taken
- Not used therapeutically; research administration only
- Mechanism
- Other
How Motilin works
Motilin is released cyclically from duodenal M cells during fasting and acts at the motilin receptor on enteric neurons and smooth muscle to initiate phase III of the migrating motor complex. Erythromycin and related macrolides are motilin receptor agonists, which is entirely separate from their antibiotic activity and is why low-dose erythromycin accelerates gastric emptying.
What research has looked at
- It explains a widely used clinical practice: low-dose erythromycin as a prokinetic in gastroparesis works through motilin receptor agonism, not through any antimicrobial effect.
- The migrating motor complex it drives is important for clearing residual material and limiting small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.
- Non-antibiotic motilin agonists have been developed to avoid driving antimicrobial resistance while retaining prokinetic activity.
Evidence level: Early human data. Only small or early-phase studies in people so far. These are areas studied or reported, not promised effects.
Reported side effects and risks
- Motilin receptor agonists show rapid tachyphylaxis — receptor downregulation limits erythromycin's prokinetic usefulness to days rather than sustained therapy.
- Several purpose-built motilin agonists failed in clinical development for lack of durable efficacy.
- Native motilin is not available as a therapeutic. No regulator has approved it, the human evidence base is limited, and material sold under this name is research chemical supply with unverified identity, purity, sterility and dose accuracy.
- Using an antibiotic for a non-antibiotic effect contributes to antimicrobial resistance pressure.
Sources
- PubMed research on motilin erythromycin prokinetic migrating motor complex · NIH · National Library of Medicine
- DrugBank record for motilin · DrugBank
- Active clinical trials for motilin · U.S. National Library of Medicine
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Related compounds
Motilin FAQ
What is Motilin?
Motilin is a 22-amino-acid gut hormone that drives the migrating motor complex, the wave of contractions that sweeps the fasting gastrointestinal tract. It is the reason erythromycin is used as a prokinetic.
How does Motilin work?
Motilin is released cyclically from duodenal M cells during fasting and acts at the motilin receptor on enteric neurons and smooth muscle to initiate phase III of the migrating motor complex. Erythromycin and related macrolides are motilin receptor agonists, which is entirely separate from their antibiotic activity and is why low-dose erythromycin accelerates gastric emptying.
Is Motilin FDA approved?
No. Motilin is a research compound and not approved by the FDA for human use. Evidence level: early human data. Only small or early-phase studies in people so far.
What is the half-life of Motilin?
Reported half-life: Approximately 4 to 5 minutes.
How is Motilin taken?
Not used therapeutically; research administration only.
What side effects have been reported with Motilin?
Reported in the sources: Motilin receptor agonists show rapid tachyphylaxis — receptor downregulation limits erythromycin's prokinetic usefulness to days rather than sustained therapy; Several purpose-built motilin agonists failed in clinical development for lack of durable efficacy; Native motilin is not available as a therapeutic. No regulator has approved it, the human evidence base is limited, and material sold under this name is research chemical supply with unverified identity, purity, sterility and dose accuracy; Using an antibiotic for a non-antibiotic effect contributes to antimicrobial resistance pressure.
Educational summary compiled from the sources listed above. Not medical advice. Peptide Vault does not sell, source or recommend any compound. Talk to a qualified clinician before starting or changing anything.