Prep & Injection Guide

1. Storage

Keep unmixed vials cold, dark, and dry, mix only the vial you are dosing from, and keep a mixed vial in the fridge and use it within its window. Heat, light, moisture, and repeated freezing are what wear a peptide down. Keep vials in a sealed, opaque container, with a desiccant packet if you have one.

Lyophilised vials are stable when kept cold, dark, and dry; reconstitute only the vial in use and refrigerate it, observing both the microbial window of the diluent and the compound’s own chemical stability. Temperature cycling, light, moisture ingress, and freeze–thaw are the main degradation drivers. Store vials in a sealed, opaque container with a desiccant packet.

The full storage guide, including why the powder is stable, the two clocks that start at reconstitution, what bacteriostatic water actually does, and fridge and freezer rules, is in Learn: Storage and handling.

2. What you need

• Alcohol prep pads.
• Bacteriostatic water, usually shortened to BAC water. It is sterile water with a small amount of preservative in it, which is what lets a mixed vial keep for weeks instead of hours. Some compounds ship with a different solvent instead; use whatever came with the vial.
• Bacteriostatic water. Depending on the properties and intended use of the compound, another solvent may be required instead: saline, a specific buffer, or acetic acid, as with the acetic acid solvent supplied with AOD-9604.
• Clean insulin syringes in the right size. Look up the dose you will be drawing first. If it lands in single digits, for example 2, 3, or 6 units, buy 0.3 mL syringes. mL means milliliters, the volume marking on the barrel, and the same syringe is often labeled 0.3 cc or 30 unit instead. cc means cubic centimeter and is exactly the same size as a milliliter. Measuring that little accurately on a larger barrel is near impossible.
• Clean insulin syringes. Familiarize yourself with the dosing for the compound before ordering, and buy the barrel size that lets you measure your typical dose accurately. Single-digit unit doses call for 0.3 mL / 0.3 cc / 30-unit syringes.
• A sharps container, so used needles never go loose into household trash.
• Optional: a 22 or 23 gauge, 3 mL syringe for reconstitution.
• Optional: a light-blocking, moisture-preventing storage container. Non-climate-controlled versions suit the fridge and freezer; climate-controlled versions suit travel.

3. Reconstitution, step by step

Reconstitution just means adding liquid to the dry powder so you can measure a dose out of it. Work on a clean surface, take it slowly, and never shake the vial.

Reconstitution is the controlled addition of solvent to lyophilized powder. The volume you add sets the concentration, which sets the units you draw, so decide the volume before you start. The dosing calculator will turn vial size, water volume, and target dose into syringe units.

1. Remove the plastic cap from the top of the peptide vial and from the bacteriostatic water vial.
2. Clean the rubber top of both vials with an alcohol prep pad.
3. Choose a syringe for mixing. A 22 or 23 gauge, 3 mL syringe is best. A 1 mL insulin syringe also works; if you use one, pick the 28 or 29 gauge, 1/2 inch (12 mm) type, because shorter and finer needles tend to bend going through the rubber stopper.
4. Push the needle through the center ring of the bacteriostatic water vial, turn the vial upside down, and draw out the amount of water your instructions call for.
5. Push that water-filled syringe through the center ring of the peptide vial and press the plunger down slowly, letting the water run gently into the vial.
6. Remove the syringe, cap it, and dispose of it.
7. Roll the vial gently between your palms to mix. Once the contents look fully dissolved, let the vial stand another 15–30 minutes so dissolution finishes.
8. The vial is ready. Store it as described in the storage article linked above. Every time you take it out to draw a dose, roll it gently between your palms again so the contents are evenly mixed.

Roll, never shake. Shaking foams the solution and damages the peptide.

Aim the stream of solvent at the wall of the vial rather than directly onto the powder cake, and avoid agitation at every stage. Foaming indicates shear stress on the molecule.

Sterile technique

• Wash your hands well, then follow up with an alcohol-based sanitiser before you start.
• Clean your work surface and lay out every supply you need before you begin.
• Never let your fingers touch a needle tip, the inside of a cap, or a vial stopper.

• Thorough handwashing followed by an alcohol-based sanitiser removes the bacteria most likely to contaminate the reconstituted solution.
• Disinfect the work surface and lay out every supply beforehand, so nothing forces you to stop mid-process and risk contamination.
• Never touch needle tips, the inside of caps, or vial stoppers with your fingers. Anything that will contact the peptide or the diluent must stay sterile throughout.

What not to do

• Never shake the vial hard; shaking can damage the peptide.
• Never use tap water; only bacteriostatic water or sterile water for injection.
• Never freeze a reconstituted vial unless you have been told to for that specific peptide.
• Never use bacteriostatic water past its expiry date.
• Never mix two different peptides into the same vial.

• Vigorous shaking can damage the peptide structure and reduce effectiveness; gentle swirling, or simply allowing time for natural dissolution, preserves it.
• Only bacteriostatic water or sterile water for injection should be used; tap water or other non-sterile water risks contamination.
• Do not freeze reconstituted peptides unless specifically recommended for that peptide; freezing can damage the structure and create crystals that fail to redissolve properly.
• Expired bacteriostatic water may have lost its preservative effect, increasing contamination risk and reducing the stability of the reconstituted peptide.
• Reconstituting multiple peptides in the same vial can create unknown interactions and makes it impossible to control individual doses accurately.

4. Reading an insulin syringe

The parts

• Tip: the needle.
• Barrel: the cylinder with the numbers printed on it.
• Plunger: the moving part inside the barrel.

Why three sizes draw the same units

Insulin syringes are marked in units, not milliliters. On every one of them, 100 units equals 1 mL. So 30 units on a 0.3 mL, a 0.5 mL, and a 1 mL syringe is the exact same amount of liquid. The barrels are different widths, so the same volume just looks different. You never have to adapt your dosing instructions to the barrel you happen to own.

Insulin syringes are U-100: 100 units per 1 mL, so one unit is 0.01 mL on every barrel size. 30 units on a 3/10 mL, 0.5 mL, or 1 mL syringe are identical volumes; only the graduation spacing differs. Barrel choice is a question of resolution, not of dose conversion.

The three dosing barrels

All three print numbers every 10 units. What differs is the tick marks in between.

• 1 mL / 1 cc / 100-unit: each tick is two units. Use it for doses over 10 units; it is not accurate enough for single-unit doses.
• 0.3 mL / 0.3 cc / 30-unit: each tick is one unit. Use it for anything calling for single-unit doses, such as 2, 5, or 7 units.
• 0.5 mL / 0.5 cc / 50-unit: each tick is one unit. Also fine for single-unit dosing, especially doses under 10 units.

Gauge and length

• Gauge is needle thickness, and the number runs backwards: a higher number means a thinner needle. Dosing syringes are usually 29 to 31 gauge.
• Gauge refers to needle diameter, inversely: higher number, thinner needle. Most dosing syringes fall between 29 and 31 gauge; reconstitution syringes are typically 27 gauge.
• For subcutaneous injection, 5/16 inch (8 mm) and 1/2 inch (12 mm) tips are the common lengths. 1/2 inch is the longest recommended for subcutaneous use, and it is the length of choice for intramuscular.

Ordering syringes

1. Check your dosing instructions and decide whether you need 30, 50, or 100 unit syringes, or a mix. If doses come in single units, such as 2, 5, or 9 units, you need 3/10 mL or 0.5 mL barrels. If you never draw under 10 units, 1 mL / 1 cc / 100-unit barrels are fine.
2. Read the label on the pack. A label such as “29 gauge, 1 cc, 1/2 inch (12 mm)” tells you three things: the gauge (29–31 is the usual dosing range), the barrel size (1 cc is the same as 1 mL, or 100 units), and the needle length (1/2 inch is the longest you want subcutaneously and the standard choice for intramuscular).
3. Recommended: for single-unit dosing, 30 or 31 gauge, 3/10 mL / 0.3 cc / 30-unit syringes with a 5/16 inch (8 mm) tip. For doses over 10 units, 29–31 gauge, 1 mL / 1 cc / 100-unit syringes with 5/16 inch (8 mm) tips, or with 1/2 inch tips if some of your compounds are intramuscular.

Not sure how many units your dose works out to? Use the dosing calculator — enter vial size, water added, and target dose, and it gives you the units to draw.

For the arithmetic behind the units, including worked examples and a way to double-check a draw, see Learn: Dosing math.

5. Injection technique

Choosing between subcutaneous and intramuscular

Subcutaneous means into the layer of fat just under the skin. Intramuscular means deeper, into the muscle itself. Follow the instructions that came with your compound rather than choosing for yourself: most peptides are subcutaneous, and a few are specified intramuscular. Needle length and thickness are covered under “Reading an insulin syringe” above; an insulin syringe with the needle already attached is the simplest way to get the right size.

Subcutaneous delivery places the dose in the adipose layer beneath the skin, which gives slower, steadier absorption and suits small volumes. Intramuscular delivery places it in muscle tissue, which is better perfused and absorbs faster, and tolerates larger volumes. Route is a property of the compound and its protocol, not a preference; use the route the dosing instructions specify, and match needle length to it (5/16 inch or 1/2 inch subcutaneous, 1/2 inch intramuscular). See “Gauge and length” above for the ranges; insulin syringes with an integrated needle are convenient and suit typical peptide doses without a separate needle hub.

Subcutaneous

1. Clean the rubber top of the vial with an alcohol prep pad.
2. Take the caps off the plunger and the needle.
3. Put the needle through the center ring on the vial, turn the vial upside down, and draw back to the amount your instructions give. If the liquid will not flow, or flows very slowly, pull the needle out, draw the plunger back to fill the syringe with air, put the needle back in and push that air into the vial. The added pressure fills the syringe much faster.
4. Recap the syringe and set it down on your prep surface. If you sanitized that surface first, you may leave it uncapped.
5. Clean the skin where you intend to inject. Where the site allows, pinch the fat gently and lift it away from the body, then with the other hand push the needle in quickly until it is fully inserted.
6. Press the plunger down until the syringe is empty, wait a few seconds, then withdraw, cap, and dispose of the syringe in your sharps container.
7. Once your shirt is back in place, rub the site through the fabric for about a minute. The fabric keeps your hands off the site and the rubbing helps absorption.
8. Return the vial to the refrigerator.

Intramuscular

1. Clean the top of the vial where you will draw from.
2. Take the caps off the needle and plunger.
3. Put the needle tip through the center ring of the rubber cap, turn the vial upside down, and draw the dose your instructions give.
4. Remove the syringe from the vial. Cap the needle before setting it down unless your prep surface has been sanitized.
5. Clean the skin over the injection site.
6. Push the needle quickly through the skin and into the muscle.
7. Press the plunger down until the syringe is empty, then wait a few seconds before withdrawing.
8. With your shirt back in place, rub the site through the fabric for about a minute.
9. Return the vial to the refrigerator.

Site anatomy

• Good subcutaneous sites are the belly (away from the navel), the outer thighs, the upper arms, and the lower back, anywhere there is enough fatty tissue.
• The belly gives you the most room to rotate between spots and tends to absorb consistently; stay at least 2 inches from your navel and clear of any scars or moles.
• On the thigh, use the outer part rather than the inner thigh, where blood vessels and nerves sit closer to the surface.
• The upper arm works too, but it is hard to reach on yourself, so it suits injections someone else gives you.

• Subcutaneous sites include the abdomen (avoiding the navel area), outer thighs, upper arms, and lower back, wherever adequate fatty tissue exists; these areas give good absorption with minimal discomfort.
• The abdomen offers the largest area for site rotation and typically the most consistent absorption. Stay at least 2 inches from the navel and avoid scars or moles.
• The outer thigh has adequate fatty tissue; avoid the inner thigh, where blood vessels and nerves are more prominent.
• The upper arm requires adequate fatty tissue and can be difficult for self-administration, so it works best when someone else is giving the injection.

Site rotation

• Rotate your injection sites systematically so you avoid tissue damage, scarring, and absorption problems.
• Leave at least 1 inch between injection spots; some people prefer 2 inches.
• Give any specific site at least a week to recover before using it again. Daily injectors need several sites in rotation.
• Keep a simple record of where you have injected so you know what to use next.

• Systematic rotation prevents tissue damage, scar formation, and absorption problems that develop with repeated injections in the same area; an organised rotation schedule ensures adequate healing time between injections.
• Minimum spacing between injections in the same area should be at least 1 inch; some recommend 2 inches between sites.
• Allow at least one week between injections in the same specific site. Daily injections require multiple injection areas and systematic tracking of site usage.
• Documenting injection sites helps maintain proper rotation and identify any sites that develop problems with repeated use.

Making it hurt less

• Insert the needle quickly and confidently; hesitating tends to hurt more than committing to it.
• Let the alcohol on your skin dry completely first, or it will sting going in.
• Slow, deep breaths help you relax, and tension makes an injection hurt more.
• A gentle rub over the site afterwards can ease any discomfort.

• Quick, confident needle insertion, paired with a slow injection, reduces discomfort; hesitating during insertion typically increases pain compared with a confident, quick approach.
• Clean the skin with alcohol and let it dry completely before injecting, since alcohol still on the skin can sting on entry; letting the skin warm to room temperature first also seems to help some people.
• Deep breathing and deliberate muscle relaxation reduce injection anxiety and the discomfort that comes with it, since tension increases pain perception.
• A gentle post-injection massage may help distribute the dose and reduce localised discomfort, though it should stay gentle to avoid tissue damage.

6. Nasal and oral handling

Nasal sprays

Some compounds come as a nasal spray instead of an injection. The bottle has a pump on it that delivers a fixed amount each time you press, so your dose is counted in sprays. Keep the spray bottle in the fridge between uses.

Intranasal formulations are supplied in an atomizer with a fixed dispense rate per actuation, so dosing is expressed in sprays. A 10 mg in 10 mL DSIP atomizer, for instance, dispenses 100 mcg per spray, giving 100 sprays per vial. Refrigerate the atomizer after use. Intranasal delivery bypasses the gastrointestinal tract, so fasting is generally not required.

• Split the dose between both nostrils whenever the number of sprays allows.
• Splitting matters because it spreads the liquid over more of the lining inside your nose, less of it runs down your throat, and a blocked nostril does not ruin the whole dose.
• Splitting increases the mucosal surface area exposed to the solution, reduces runoff into the throat and loss from swallowing, and gives more consistent absorption, since airflow, congestion, mucus, and the normal nasal cycle leave one nostril less effective than the other at any given moment.
• Do not tilt your head back. Tip your head slightly forward, angle the atomizer towards the outside of your nose, roughly at the outer corner of your eye, and sniff gently as you spray.

Oral compounds

• Oral versions are usually capsules, and the label states the amount per capsule.
• Several call for a fasted state. GHK-Cu oral, for example, prefers fasted dosing at least 30–60 minutes before food or drink, though it is not strictly required, while SLU-PP-332 oral does require a fasted state.
• Timing is often specified too, such as morning for SLU-PP-332, so check the compound page rather than assuming.
• Keep capsules dry, out of light, and stored as the label directs.

7. Common mistakes

• Freezing and thawing more than once. An aliquot gets frozen once, and once only.
• Storing vials in the refrigerator door. Every swing shakes them. Use a shelf.
• Shaking instead of rolling. Shaking foams and damages the solution.
• Drawing a dose the moment it looks dissolved. Give it the full 15–30 minutes.
• Measuring small doses on a big barrel. On a 1 mL syringe each tick is two units, so a 3-unit dose cannot be drawn accurately. Use a 0.3 mL or 0.5 mL syringe.
• Converting units between syringe sizes. 30 units is 30 units on every barrel.
• Leaving vials in the light. Opaque container, or foil. Room lighting counts.
• Skipping the desiccant. Powder pulls moisture out of the air inside the vial. Silica desiccant packets in the storage container cost almost nothing.
• Refrigerating Lipo-C. It gels. Keep it at 68–77°F, away from light.
• Leaving the vial out after dosing. Put it straight back in the fridge.
• Loose needles in the bin. Used syringes go in a sharps container.
• Aliquoting into bacteriostatic water for the freezer. For long-term frozen aliquots, reconstitute with a pH 5–6 buffer instead.

Where to go next

Work out your syringe units, or look up a specific compound for its own storage, timing, and dosing notes.