Reconstitution Guide

Step-by-step: how to properly mix your peptides

About 10 minutes

Why Reconstitution Matters

Peptides ship as lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder because they're unstable in liquid form long-term. You need to reconstitute them with bacteriostatic water before use.

Warning. Never shake a peptide vial. Peptides are fragile molecules. Shaking can denature (destroy) them. Always swirl gently.

Step 1: Gather Supplies

You'll need:

  • Peptide vial (lyophilized powder)
  • Bacteriostatic water vial
  • Insulin syringe (1mL)
  • Alcohol swabs

Step 2: Determine Water Volume

The amount of BAC water you add determines your concentration. A common approach is to add a "round" amount that makes dosing math simple.

Tip. For a 5mg vial, adding 2mL of BAC water gives you 2,500mcg per mL (or 250mcg per 0.1mL / 10 units on a U-100 syringe). Use the PeptideLab calculator to work out exact volumes.

Step 3: Clean Everything

Wipe the top of both the peptide vial and BAC water vial with an alcohol swab. Let them air dry for a few seconds. Sterility is critical.

Step 4: Draw Bacteriostatic Water

Using a fresh syringe, draw the desired amount of BAC water. Pull back the plunger to your target volume, insert the needle into the BAC water vial (inverted), and draw slowly.

Step 5: Add Water to Peptide Vial

Insert the syringe into the peptide vial at an angle. Let the water trickle slowly down the side of the vial — do NOT squirt it directly onto the powder cake.

Warning. Direct force on the powder can damage the peptide. Aim the stream at the glass wall and let it run down gently.

Step 6: Mix Gently

Most peptides will dissolve within a few minutes. You can gently roll the vial between your palms or swirl it slowly. If there are stubborn particles, let the vial sit in the refrigerator — most dissolve on their own within a few hours. If particles or cloudiness persist after that, the product may be compromised — don't use it.

Tip. Once reconstituted, store the vial in the refrigerator (36-46°F / 2-8°C). Most reconstituted peptides are good for 3-4 weeks refrigerated.

Step 7: Label Your Vial

Write the peptide name, concentration, and reconstitution date on a small label or piece of tape on the vial. This prevents mix-ups and helps track freshness.