Cartalax

Key points

• Cartalax is a very short peptide, one of a family of bioregulators each aimed at a particular tissue.
• It is marketed to support cartilage and the joints.
• Almost all the research comes from a single group, and independent evidence is lacking.
• It is not a licensed medicine in the UK and is sold for research use.

Quick facts

What it is

Peptide bioregulator (cartilage and joints)

Marketed for

Cartilage and joint support

UK status

Not a licensed medicine; sold for research use

Human evidence

Mostly from one research group

How it works

The idea behind the bioregulators is that short peptides can act as signals that help a particular tissue work normally. Cartalax is aimed at cartilage and joints. How well this works in people, and exactly how, is not established outside its country of origin.

What the evidence shows

There are studies from Russia reporting benefits for cartilage and joints, but independent trials of the kind needed to license a medicine in the UK are lacking. The claims should be treated with caution.

What it does not settle

• Independent evidence outside its country of origin is limited.
• Long term safety in wide use is not well established.
• Products sold online are not quality assessed.

Side effects

Less common but serious

• Because there is no UK licensed product, the dose, purity and contents of material bought online cannot be verified.

Report any suspected side effect through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.

UK legal status and access

Cartalax has no UK marketing authorisation, so it is not a licensed medicine and is not offered by registered clinics or pharmacies. It is sold online for research use.

Common questions