Peptides arrive as freeze-dried powder. To use them, you add bacteriostatic water, let the powder dissolve gently, and keep the vial in the fridge.
- Use bacteriostatic water, a fresh sterile syringe and alcohol swabs.
- Run the water down the inside of the vial and swirl, never shake.
- The amount of water you add sets the concentration, so write it on the vial.
Freeze-drying (lyophilisation) makes peptides stable for shipping and storage, but it means one extra step before use. Done carefully, reconstituting takes two minutes. Done carelessly, it can contaminate the vial or damage the peptide. This guide walks through it step by step, including the maths that confuses most people.
What you need
- The peptide vial (for example BPC-157 5 mg)
- Bacteriostatic water: sterile water with 0.9% benzyl alcohol, which stops bacteria growing so the vial can be used for several weeks
- A sterile syringe for mixing (1–3 ml)
- Insulin syringes (U-100) for measuring doses
- Alcohol swabs and a sharps container
Plain sterile water has no preservative, so a vial mixed with it should be used within about a day. Bacteriostatic water is the usual choice for multi-use vials.
Step by step
- Wash your hands and work on a clean surface.
- Let vials reach room temperature if they were refrigerated, so the water flows easily.
- Remove the plastic caps and wipe both rubber stoppers with alcohol. Let them dry.
- Draw the bacteriostatic water into the mixing syringe. The amount you choose decides the concentration (see below).
- Insert the needle into the peptide vial at an angle and let the water run slowly down the inside wall. Do not squirt it straight onto the powder.
- Swirl gently or roll the vial between your fingers until the powder dissolves. Never shake it; vigorous shaking can damage some peptides.
- Check the solution. It should be clear. If it stays cloudy or has particles after a few minutes, do not use it.
- Label the vial with the date and the concentration.
- Refrigerate at 2–8 °C.
The concentration maths
The peptide amount in the vial is fixed; the water you add decides how concentrated it is. A worked example with a 5 mg vial:
| Water added | Concentration | On a U-100 insulin syringe |
|---|---|---|
| 1 ml | 5 mg/ml (5,000 mcg/ml) | 10 units = 0.1 ml = 500 mcg |
| 2 ml | 2.5 mg/ml (2,500 mcg/ml) | 10 units = 0.1 ml = 250 mcg |
| 2.5 ml | 2 mg/ml (2,000 mcg/ml) | 10 units = 0.1 ml = 200 mcg |
A U-100 insulin syringe has 100 units per millilitre, so 1 unit is 0.01 ml. More water makes each unit contain less peptide, which makes small amounts easier to measure accurately. Every Vita peptide page on SteroidsCanada has a measuring calculator: enter the vial size, the water added and the amount you want, and it shows the units to draw.
Write the concentration on the vial. Forgetting how much water you added is the most common source of measuring mistakes.
Storage and shelf life
- Before mixing: store powder vials in the fridge or a cool, dark place, as the label says. Many lyophilised peptides are stable at room temperature for weeks, but cold storage keeps them longer.
- After mixing: always refrigerate at 2–8 °C. Bacteriostatic water is typically used within about 28 days of first puncture. Check the product page for anything specific.
- Never freeze a mixed vial, and keep it out of direct light.
- Use a new syringe every time you draw from the vial.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Spraying water onto the powder. Aim it at the glass wall and let it trickle down.
- Shaking to speed things up. Patience and gentle swirling work; some powders take a few minutes.
- Losing track of the concentration. Write the water volume and date on the vial straight away.
- Reusing syringes. Each puncture with a used needle risks contaminating the whole vial.
- Leaving the vial out. Return it to the fridge right after drawing your dose.
- Confusing units and millilitres. On a U-100 insulin syringe, 10 units is 0.1 ml, not 10 ml.
Giving the injection
Most peptides are injected just under the skin (subcutaneously) with an insulin syringe, usually into the belly at least 5 cm from the navel, the front of the thigh or the back of the upper arm. Each peptide product page has an injection-site guide with a body map and a short hospital video showing these sites. Rotate spots each time to avoid lumps.
Safety notes
Research peptides are not approved by Health Canada for human use and are sold for research purposes. Browse the peptides category for specifications and lab results.
Frequently asked questions
How much bacteriostatic water do I add to a 5 mg peptide?
Commonly 1–2.5 ml. More water makes small amounts easier to measure. With 2 ml, each 10 units on a U-100 syringe contains 250 mcg.
Can I shake the vial to mix it faster?
No. Swirl or roll it gently. Shaking can damage some peptides.
How long does a mixed peptide last?
Refrigerated at 2–8 °C, multi-use vials mixed with bacteriostatic water are typically used within about 28 days.
Photo: Japanexperterna.se from Japan, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0).
General information. Research peptides are not approved for human use in Canada. Follow sterile technique and dispose of sharps safely.
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