The thing most people get stuck on is the math: how much water to add, and how many units that is on the syringe. Here is the whole thing in three steps with examples. Our calculator does it for you (Peptide Calculator - Reconstitution & Dosage | Buy Peptides UK), but it helps to understand what it is doing.
What you need
- Your peptide vial (an amount in mg, for example 10 mg)
- Bacteriostatic water (BAC water) to mix it with
- An insulin syringe marked in units (a U-100 syringe is 100 units per 1 mL)
The three steps
Step 1 - Concentration. Decide how much BAC water to add. Concentration = mg in the vial divided by mL of water.
Example: 10 mg vial + 2 mL water = 5 mg per mL.
Step 2 - Volume for your dose. Doses are usually in micrograms (mcg), and there are 1000 mcg in 1 mg. Volume = your dose divided by the concentration.
Example: you want 250 mcg (0.25 mg). 0.25 divided by 5 = 0.05 mL.
Step 3 - Units on the syringe. On a U-100 syringe, 1 mL = 100 units, so multiply mL by 100.
Example: 0.05 mL times 100 = 5 units.
So with 10 mg in 2 mL water, a 250 mcg dose is 5 units.
Two more worked examples
- 5 mg in 2 mL water = 2.5 mg/mL. A 250 mcg dose = 0.1 mL = 10 units.
- 10 mg in 1 mL water = 10 mg/mL. A 300 mcg dose = 0.03 mL = 3 units.
Mistakes that ruin a vial
- Swirl, do not shake. Shaking foams the solution and can damage the peptide. Aim the water at the glass, let it run down the side, and swirl gently until clear.
- Do not add more water than you will use in a few weeks. More water makes doses easier to measure but does not extend shelf life once mixed.
Quick reference
- 1 mg = 1000 mcg
- U-100 syringe: 1 mL = 100 units, so 0.01 mL = 1 unit
- Concentration (mg/mL) = mg in vial / mL water
- Dose volume (mL) = dose (mg) / concentration
- Units = dose volume (mL) x 100
Not sure on your numbers? Reply with your vial size and target dose and someone will check the math. Or use the calculator: Peptide Calculator - Reconstitution & Dosage | Buy Peptides UK