The Definitive Guide to Peptide Reconstitution and Calculation
Peptides have gained immense popularity in the United States health, fitness, and longevity communities. From BPC-157 for injury recovery to GLP-1 agonists like Semaglutide for weight loss, these compounds offer powerful benefits. However, they typically arrive in a lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder form, requiring careful reconstitution with bacteriostatic water. Accurate measurement is critical; a slight math error can lead to a massive underdose or a dangerous overdose. Our Peptide Calculator eliminates the guesswork, ensuring safe and precise dosing every time.
What is Peptide Reconstitution?
Peptides are fragile chains of amino acids. To keep them stable for shipping and storage, they are freeze-dried into a white powder or "puck" at the bottom of a glass vial. Before they can be injected, they must be turned back into a liquid solution. This process is called reconstitution.
Reconstitution involves adding a specific amount of liquid (usually Bacteriostatic Water) to the powder. The amount of water you add determines the concentration of the solution, which in turn dictates how much you need to draw into your syringe for your desired dose.
How to Use the Peptide Calculator
Our tool simplifies the math known as "Peptide Math." Here is the step-by-step process:
Step 1: Input Vial Quantity
Look at the label on your peptide vial. It will state the amount of powder in milligrams (mg). Common sizes include 2mg, 5mg, 10mg, or 15mg. Enter this number in the first box.
Step 2: Input Water Volume
Decide how much Bacteriostatic Water (Bac Water) you want to add. This is a personal preference, but standard practice is often 1ml, 2ml, or 3ml depending on the vial size and desired concentration.
Tip: Adding more water makes it easier to measure small doses accurately, but requires injecting a larger volume of liquid.
Step 3: Input Desired Dose
How much peptide do you want to administer? This is usually measured in Micrograms (mcg), though some protocols use Milligrams (mg).
Conversion: 1 mg = 1,000 mcg.
If your protocol calls for 500mcg of BPC-157, enter "500" and select "mcg".
Step 4: Select Syringe Type
Most users utilize U-100 Insulin Syringes. These hold 1ml (or 100 Units) of liquid. If you are using a smaller syringe (0.5ml or 0.3ml), select that option to ensure the visual guide matches your equipment.
The Math Behind the Calculator
For those who want to understand the logic manually, here is the formula:
Example Scenario:
- Vial: 5mg of Semaglutide
- Water Added: 2ml
- Desired Dose: 250mcg (0.25mg)
Calculation:
Concentration = 5mg / 2ml = 2.5 mg/ml.
Dose in mg = 0.25mg.
Volume to Draw = 0.25 / 2.5 = 0.1 ml.
Units on Syringe = 0.1 * 100 = 10 Units.
Understanding Syringe Units (U-100 vs U-40)
This is the most common source of error.
- U-100 Syringes: The standard for human insulin and peptides. 100 Units = 1 mL. If the calculator says "10 Units," you fill to the "10" mark.
- U-40 Syringes: Common in veterinary medicine. 40 Units = 1 mL. Using a U-40 syringe with U-100 math (or vice versa) can lead to a 2.5x overdose or underdose. Always verify your syringe type. Our calculator defaults to U-100.
Common Peptide Protocols and Dosages
Note: This is for informational purposes only. Not medical advice.
BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound)
Often used for tissue repair and gut health. Common vials are 5mg.
Typical Dose: 250mcg to 500mcg, once or twice daily.
TB-500 (Thymosin Beta-4)
Used for inflammation and flexibility. Common vials are 2mg or 5mg.
Typical Dose: 2mg to 2.5mg per week (split into multiple injections).
Semaglutide / Tirzepatide
GLP-1 agonists for weight management.
Typical Starting Dose: 0.25mg (250mcg) per week, titrating up over months.
Melanotan II
Used for tanning. Extremely potent.
Typical Dose: Very low, starting at 50mcg to 100mcg to assess tolerance.
Step-by-Step Reconstitution Guide
- Gather Supplies: Peptide vial, Bacteriostatic Water, Alcohol Swabs, large syringe (for mixing), and insulin syringes (for administration).
- Clean Tops: Pop the caps off the peptide and water vials. Swab the rubber stoppers with alcohol. Let dry.
- Draw Water: Using the large syringe, draw the desired amount of Bac Water (e.g., 2ml).
- Inject Water: Push the needle through the peptide vial stopper. Aim the stream of water against the glass wall of the vial, not directly onto the powder, to avoid damaging the fragile peptide bonds.
- Equalize Pressure: After injecting water, pull the plunger back to remove an equivalent amount of air to prevent a vacuum or pressure buildup.
- Mix Gently: Do NOT shake the vial. Gently swirl it in a circular motion until the powder is fully dissolved. The solution should be clear.
- Store: Most reconstituted peptides must be stored in the refrigerator (36°F - 46°F) to maintain potency. They typically last 2-4 weeks after mixing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Bacteriostatic Water?
It is sterile water containing 0.9% benzyl alcohol. The alcohol prevents bacteria from growing in the vial, allowing you to use the same vial for multiple doses over several weeks. Do not use regular sterile water or tap water.
What if my peptide is cloudy?
A reconstituted peptide should generally be clear. If it is cloudy or has particles that won't dissolve after gentle swirling and time, the peptide may be degraded or of poor quality. Do not use it.
Can I mix two peptides in the same syringe?
This is often done (e.g., BPC-157 and TB-500) to reduce the number of injections. However, you must calculate the draw for each separately. Draw the first peptide, then carefully draw the second. Be extremely careful not to push the first peptide into the second vial.
Does the amount of water change the potency?
No. The total amount of peptide (mg) in the vial remains the same regardless of whether you add 1ml or 3ml of water. Adding more water simply makes the solution more dilute, meaning you have to inject a larger volume of liquid to get the same dose of drug.
Why calculate in mcg?
Peptides are potent. Doses are often fractions of a milligram. Using micrograms (mcg) avoids confusing decimals (e.g., 250mcg is easier to say than 0.25mg).