Reconstitution Calculator
Enter your peptide vial details and desired dose to find out how many units to draw on an insulin syringe.
Your Results
How It Works
Reconstitution is mixing a lyophilized (freeze-dried) peptide powder with bacteriostatic water to create an injectable solution.
Gather your vial
Note the amount of peptide in the vial (e.g. 5mg). This is printed on the label.
Add bacteriostatic water
Draw your chosen volume of bacteriostatic water into a syringe and inject slowly into the vial. Never shakeβswirl gently.
Calculate your draw
Use this calculator to determine exactly how many units to pull into your syringe for the desired dose.
Store properly
Reconstituted peptides typically require refrigeration (2β8Β°C) and are stable for 2β4 weeks once mixed.
The Formula
Based on a standard 100-unit (1mL) insulin syringe. Each tick mark = 1 unit = 0.01mL.
Peptide Reconstitution Guide
Reconstitution is the process of mixing a lyophilized (freeze-dried) peptide powder with a liquid carrier β most commonly bacteriostatic water β to create a stable, measurable solution. Getting the math right is essential: the concentration you create determines how many units you draw for your target dose. This guide covers the principles, water types, common volumes, and mistakes to avoid.
Which Water Should You Use?
Bacteriostatic Water
Distilled water with 0.9% benzyl alcohol. The alcohol prevents bacterial growth, keeping your reconstituted peptide stable for 14β30 days when refrigerated. This is the standard choice for multi-dose vials.
Sterile Water
Pharmaceutical-grade water with no preservatives. Safe for single-use reconstitution but lacks antimicrobial protection. Use immediately or within 24 hours if refrigerated.
Sterile Normal Saline
0.9% sodium chloride solution. Some peptides β particularly GHK-Cu β perform better in saline. Check the specific peptide literature before choosing. Not ideal for peptides sensitive to pH shifts.
Common Reconstitution Volumes
Standard starting volumes for 5mg vials at common research doses. Your specific protocol may differ β always follow your provider's guidance.
| Peptide | Common Vial Size | Water Volume | Concentration | Common Dose Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BPC-157 | 5mg | 2mL |
2,500 mcg/mL | 250β500 mcg/day |
| TB-500 | 5mg | 2mL |
2,500 mcg/mL | 2β2.5mg per session |
| CJC-1295 (no DAC) | 2mg | 2mL |
1,000 mcg/mL | 100β300 mcg/day |
| Ipamorelin | 5mg | 2mL |
2,500 mcg/mL | 100β300 mcg, 1β3x daily |
| Semaglutide | 5mg | 2.5mL |
2,000 mcg/mL | Starting dose 25β100 mcg |
| PT-141 | 10mg | 2mL |
5,000 mcg/mL | 100β500 mcg as needed |
| Selank | 5mg | 2mL |
2,500 mcg/mL | 250β750 mcg, 2β3x daily |
| GHK-Cu | 5mg | 2β5mL |
1,000β2,500 mcg/mL | 100β200 mcg, 1β2x daily |
| SS-31 | 5mg or 10mg | 2mL |
2,500β5,000 mcg/mL | 5β20 mg per session (weight-based in trials) |
| Thymosin Alpha-1 | 1mg or 1.6mg | 1mL |
1,000β1,600 mcg/mL | 1β1.6 mg per injection (1β3Γ weekly) |
Understanding Insulin Syringe Units
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Shaking the vial β Shaking creates foam and can denature the peptide. Swirl gently instead to dissolve the powder without agitation.
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Using tap or non-sterile water β Even trace contaminants can degrade peptides. Always use bacteriostatic water, sterile water, or sterile saline from a pharmacy.
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Over-shaking after reconstitution β Peptides settle over time. Swirl gently before each use, but avoid vigorous shaking which generates bubbles and damages peptide structure.
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Storing at room temperature β Most reconstituted peptides require refrigeration (2β8Β°C / 36β46Β°F). Leaving them at room temperature significantly reduces potency within days.
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Freezing reconstituted peptides β Freeze-thaw cycles degrade peptides faster than continuous cold storage. Refrigerate only; do not freeze unless the specific peptide literature explicitly recommends it.
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Calculating doses incorrectly β Concentration depends on BOTH the peptide amount AND the water volume. A 5mg vial reconstituted with 2mL vs. 5mL creates dramatically different concentrations. Use our calculator above to avoid math errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does reconstituted peptide last?
Depends on the water type and storage. Bacteriostatic water reconstituted peptides are typically stable for 14β30 days when refrigerated (2β8Β°C). Sterile water reconstituted peptides should be used within 24β72 hours. Always check the specific peptide and your provider's guidance.
Can I reconstitute peptides with just sterile water?
Yes β sterile water is safe for single-use preparations. However, it lacks the bacteriostatic properties of benzyl alcohol, so any bacterial contamination can proliferate. For multi-dose vials intended to last more than a day, bacteriostatic water is strongly recommended.
How do I find the right concentration for my dose?
Use the formula: concentration (mcg/mL) = (peptide mg Γ 1000) Γ· water volume (mL). Then divide your target dose by the concentration to get the draw volume in mL, and multiply by 100 to convert to syringe units. This calculator handles all of this automatically.
What if I can't find bacteriostatic water?
Bacteriostatic water is available at most pharmacies without a prescription. Online suppliers also carry it. If unavailable as an interim measure, sterile water for injection is acceptable for single-use preparations only.
Do I need to use an insulin syringe?
For most peptide protocols, yes β insulin syringes (100-unit, 0.5mL, or 1mL) allow precise dosing in unit increments. Using a standard oral syringe or measuring spoon will not give you the accuracy needed for microgram dosing.
Dosage Reference Guide
Select a peptide and your goal to view typical research protocol ranges. These are educational reference values only.
Quick Reference
Common starting doses for popular peptides β for educational purposes only.
| Peptide | Common Dose | Frequency | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| BPC-157 | 200β500 mcg | 1β2Γ daily | SubQ / oral |
| TB-500 | 2β2.5 mg | 2Γ weekly (load) | SubQ / IM |
| Ipamorelin | 200β300 mcg | 1β3Γ daily | SubQ |
| CJC-1295/DAC | 1β2 mg | 1Γ weekly | SubQ |
| Semaglutide | 0.25β2.4 mg | 1Γ weekly | SubQ |
| Tirzepatide | 2.5β15 mg | 1Γ weekly | SubQ |
| Retatrutide Phase 3 | 1β12 mg (Phase 2) | 1Γ weekly | SubQ |
| Sermorelin | 200β500 mcg | Nightly | SubQ |
| Epithalon | 5β10 mg/day | 10β20 day cycle | SubQ / IV |
| GHK-Cu | 1β3 mg | 3Γ weekly | SubQ |
| SS-31 | 5β20 mg (research) | 3Γ weekly | SubQ |
Mix / Blend Reconstitution
Reconstitute a multi-peptide vial β e.g. a "Glow" or "Recovery" blend. Add each peptide and the total water volume, then choose a draw amount to see per-peptide dosing.
πΎ Save This Blend
How Blend Reconstitution Works
Multi-peptide blends are lyophilized (freeze-dried) together in a single vial. When reconstituted, every draw contains all peptides in the same ratio.
Know your vial contents
Check the label for each peptide and its amount in mg. A "Glow" vial might list GHK-Cu 3mg + Epithalon 5mg + Selank 2mg.
Add bacteriostatic water
Inject your chosen water volume into the vial. The total water volume determines concentration of all peptides simultaneously.
Draw your dose
Choose a draw amount (in syringe units). Because all peptides share the same solution, each draw delivers a fixed ratio of every peptide.
Verify the doses
Use this calculator to confirm each peptide's dose at your chosen draw volume, and adjust water volume or draw amount as needed.
β Educational Purposes Only β Not Medical Advice
The information provided by this calculator is intended solely for educational and informational purposes. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or a treatment recommendation. Peptide dosages vary significantly based on individual factors including health status, body composition, goals, and medical history. Many peptides discussed on this site are research compounds not approved by the FDA for human use. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider before using any peptide, hormone, or injectable compound. WellSourced assumes no liability for use of this tool.