Reconstitution Guide
Step-by-step instructions for safely preparing your peptides for use.
Important Safety Notice
Always work in a clean environment. Use sterile equipment. Never share needles. This guide is for educational purposes only — consult a healthcare provider before use. Only use peptides from vendors who supply third-party HPLC/mass-spec Certificates of Analysis (CoA) — purity and identity are not guaranteed otherwise.
Step-by-Step Process
Gather your supplies
You will need: peptide vial, bacteriostatic water (BAC water), 1mL insulin syringes (100u), alcohol swabs, and a clean surface.
Calculate your BAC water volume
Use the Dosing Calculator to determine the ideal BAC water volume for your vial size and target dose. A common standard: 2.5mL BAC water per 5mg vial gives 2000 mcg/mL. Using 1mL per 1mg always yields 1000 mcg/mL (1 mcg/µL), which is easy to dose. The key is consistency — pick a ratio and stick to it.
Swab both vials
Wipe the rubber stopper of both your peptide vial and BAC water vial with an alcohol swab. Let dry for 30 seconds before proceeding.
Draw BAC water
Insert the insulin syringe into the BAC water vial and draw the calculated volume. Ensure no air bubbles are present in the syringe.
Add BAC water to peptide vial
Insert the syringe into the peptide vial at an angle and inject slowly along the glass wall — never directly onto the powder. This prevents denaturing.
Mix gently
Gently roll or swirl the vial for 30–60 seconds. NEVER shake — shaking causes foaming and aggregation. Most peptides dissolve to a clear solution. Some (e.g. GHK-Cu) are difficult to dissolve and may require a small amount of dilute acetic acid (0.6%) added first; see the FAQ below. If a peptide that normally dissolves clearly remains cloudy or has visible particles after proper mixing, do not use it.
Storage
Store reconstituted peptide in the refrigerator (2–8°C / 36–46°F). Most peptides remain stable for 4–6 weeks refrigerated. Never freeze after reconstitution.
Storage Reference
Lyophilized (dry)
Room temp or fridge (peptide-dependent)
Reconstituted
Refrigerated (2–8°C)
Do NOT freeze
After reconstitution
Video Resources
Visual learner? These curated YouTube searches will help you find the most up-to-date reconstitution tutorials and protocol walkthroughs.
Peptide Reconstitution Tutorial
Step-by-step visual guide for mixing peptides with BAC water
How to Use an Insulin Syringe
Reading units, drawing accurately, subcutaneous injection technique
Subcutaneous Injection Guide
Proper technique for subcutaneous peptide injections
BPC-157 Reconstitution Example
Full walkthrough using BPC-157 as a reference compound
BAC Water vs Sterile Water
When to use each and why it matters for peptide stability
Peptide Storage Best Practices
Refrigeration, labeling, and expiration guidelines
Links open YouTube search results. PeptideWiki does not endorse any specific creator or channel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is bacteriostatic water?
Bacteriostatic water (BAC water) is sterile water containing 0.9% benzyl alcohol, which prevents bacterial growth. It allows multiple uses from a single vial, unlike sterile water which should be used once.
How long does reconstituted peptide last?
Most reconstituted peptides remain stable for 4–6 weeks when refrigerated at 2–8°C. Some more fragile peptides (like Selank, Semax) should be used within 2–3 weeks. Always check peptide-specific guidelines.
Can I use sterile water instead of BAC water?
You can, but sterile water should only be used if you will use the entire vial in one sitting, as it has no preservative and becomes contaminated quickly. BAC water is strongly preferred for multi-dose vials.
What if my peptide won't dissolve?
Some peptides (like GHK-Cu) can be difficult to dissolve due to their charge or hydrophobicity. Try adding a small amount of 0.6% acetic acid solution first to wet the powder, then add BAC water and swirl gently. Body-temperature warming of the sealed vial can also help. Do not shake.
How do I measure my dose on an insulin syringe?
A U-100 insulin syringe holds 1 mL across 100 units, so each unit = 0.01 mL. At a concentration of 1000 mcg/mL: 10 units = 0.1 mL = 100 mcg. At 2000 mcg/mL: 10 units = 0.1 mL = 200 mcg. Use the Dosing Calculator on this site — enter your vial size, BAC water volume, and desired dose and it will show the exact unit marking to draw to.