Reconstitution
Peptide Reconstitution: Units, Math, Step-by-Step
Every peptide vial ships as a freeze-dried powder. Before the first dose you mix it with bacteriostatic water, a process called reconstitution. The math is simple, but the wrong unit (mL versus units on the syringe) is the most common source of 10x overdoses in self-administered protocols.
Why units, not mL
Peptara Labs protocol dashboards display every dose in insulin-syringe units, never in mL. Reading a decimal place wrong on a small syringe barrel can mean a 10x overdose. Reading the wrong tick mark cannot. The only mL number on this page is the bac water input volume.
The 4-step method
Total time: about 5 minutes. Reusable across every peptide in the Peptara catalog.
Wipe vial top with alcohol
Wipe the rubber stopper of both the peptide vial and the bacteriostatic water vial with a fresh alcohol swab. Let each surface air-dry for a few seconds. This is the single biggest contamination guard in the whole process.
Draw bac water with syringe
Pull the plunger of a U-100 insulin syringe to the bac water volume you have planned for this vial (the recommended volume table below has presets for every Peptara SKU). Insert the needle into the bac water vial and draw cleanly.
Inject slowly down the side of the vial wall
Push the needle into the peptide vial at an angle so the bac water runs down the inner glass wall, not directly onto the lyophilized powder. A slow stream protects fragile peptide bonds and keeps the solution clear.
Swirl gently, do not shake
Roll the vial between your palms or swirl it on a flat surface until the powder is fully dissolved. Shaking creates foam and can fragment the peptide. The solution should look clear within 30 to 60 seconds.
Reconstitution math (units, not mL)
One universal formula handles every peptide in the catalog.
The formula
units = (desired dose in mg / vial strength in mg) × (bac water in mL × 100)
A U-100 insulin syringe holds 100 units per 1mL. So 1mL of reconstituted solution equals 100 units. If you put 10mg of peptide into 1mL of bac water, each unit delivers 0.1mg (100mcg).
Worked examples
Retatrutide
20mg vial, 2mL bac water, 5mg target dose. (5 / 20) × (2 × 100) = 50 units per injection.
Tirzepatide
20mg vial, 2mL bac water, 5mg target dose. Same math as Retatrutide: 50 units per injection.
BPC-157
20mg vial, 2mL bac water, 250mcg (0.25mg) target dose. (0.25 / 20) × 200 = 2.5 units, round up to 3 units per injection.
Calculator
Pick a vial from the Peptara catalog (or enter a custom strength), set your bac water volume, and enter your desired dose. The calculator returns the unit count and shows where to draw on a U-100 insulin syringe.
Draw this many units
50units
Draw to the 50 mark on a standard U-100 insulin syringe. Your protocol dashboard confirms your specific dose.
Recommended bac water volumes
Default reconstitution presets for every Peptara Labs SKU. The "Units per common dose" column shows what a single injection looks like at canonical hobbyist dosing.
| Peptide | Vial size | Bac water | Common dose | Units per common dose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retatrutide | 20mg | 2mL | 5mg | 50 units |
| Tirzepatide | 20mg | 2mL | 5mg | 50 units |
| BPC-157 | 20mg | 2mL | 250mcg | 3 units |
| CJC-1295 / Ipamorelin | 10mg | 1mL | 250mcg | 3 units |
| GHK-Cu | 100mg | 5mL | 2mg | 10 units |
| TB-500 | 10mg | 1mL | 2.5mg | 25 units |
| MT-2 (Melanotan-2) | 10mg | 1mL | 0.5mg | 5 units |
| Semax | 10mg | 1mL | 600mcg | 6 units |
| Selank | 10mg | 1mL | 600mcg | 6 units |
| KLOW Combo | 80mg | 2mL | 4mg | 10 units |
| MOTS-c | 40mg | 2mL | 5mg | 25 units (matches JP protocol Section 06) |
| Tesamorelin | 10mg | 1mL | 2mg | 20 units |
| SLU-PP-332 | 5mg | 1mL | 1mg | 20 units |
| PT-141 (Bremelanotide) | 10mg | 1mL | 1.5mg | 15 units |
| Glutathione | 600mg | 5mL | 200mg | split into 2 injections (167 units total, exceeds U-100 capacity) |
Common doses shown for math illustration. Your protocol dashboard has your specific dose.
Storage
Before reconstitution
Stable at room temperature
Lyophilized peptide powder is stable at room temperature for weeks and in a freezer for many months. Keep the vial sealed and out of direct sunlight until the day you reconstitute.
After reconstitution
Refrigerate immediately
Once mixed with bac water, store the vial at 2 to 8 Celsius. 30-day shelf life is the safe default for most peptides. Your protocol dashboard has per-peptide detail.
Travel
Reconstituted vials travel with an ice pack in carry-on. Lyophilized vials handle cabin temperature without ice. Country-specific customs rules vary, see the FAQ for travel guidance.
Frequently asked questions
Order with reconstitution math built in
We build your reconstitution math into your protocol dashboard within 12 hours of your order.
Every Peptara Labs order includes bac water sized to the vial, a custom dashboard with your specific doses in units, and ongoing protocol support on WhatsApp.