Peptide Dosing Chart: A Complete Research Reference

Peptide dosing is not a matter of "more is better" — it is a matter of precision. Peptides operate within specific concentration ranges that trigger their target receptor pathways. Below the threshold, no meaningful biological response is observed. Above the optimal range, receptor desensitization risk increases, feedback inhibition, or off-target effects that can confound research results and compromise safety.

Consider growth hormone secretagogues as an example: CJC-1295 at 1 mcg/kg produces minimal GH release, at 30 mcg/kg produces robust physiological release, and at 100+ mcg/kg can cause receptor desensitization that actually reduces GH release over time. The difference between therapeutic and counterproductive is a matter of precise dose calculation.

This peptide dosing chart consolidates dosing protocols from published peer-reviewed research, manufacturer guidelines, and established research practices. All doses are provided for research reference only. Individual research protocols should be designed in consultation with qualified professionals and institutional oversight. For foundational information on what peptides are and how they work, see our comprehensive peptide guide.

Before using any dosing chart, ensure understanding of reconstitution fundamentals — the process of preparing lyophilized (freeze-dried) peptide powders for use. Our reconstitution guide covers this in detail, and our peptide calculator automates the math for determining concentration and draw volume.

Weight management peptides target multiple pathways including GLP-1 receptor agonism, growth hormone release, and direct lipolytic mechanisms. Accurate dosing is particularly critical because many of these compounds require dose titration to minimize side effects:

Semaglutide: Start at 0.25 mg subcutaneously once weekly for 4 weeks. Increase to 0.5 mg weekly for 4 weeks, then to 1.0 mg weekly. Maximum dose of 2.4 mg weekly (as used in the STEP trials for weight management). Dose escalation is critical — starting at full dose causes significant nausea and GI side effects in the majority of subjects.

Tirzepatide: Start at 2.5 mg subcutaneously once weekly for 4 weeks. Increase by 2.5 mg increments every 4 weeks to a maintenance dose of 5-15 mg weekly. The SURMOUNT trials used 5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg maintenance doses, with dose-dependent weight loss (15.0%, 19.5%, and 20.9% respectively).

Tesamorelin: 2 mg subcutaneously once daily, administered on an empty stomach. No dose titration required. Clinical trials used this fixed dose throughout, with measurable VAT reduction at 12 weeks and continued improvement through 52 weeks.

AOD-9604: Research protocols typically use 250-300 mcg subcutaneously once daily, administered in the morning on an empty stomach. Some protocols use a loading phase of 400-500 mcg daily for the first 2 weeks before reducing to 250-300 mcg maintenance.

CJC-1295 (with DAC): 2 mg subcutaneously once weekly. The Drug Affinity Complex extends half-life to 5-8 days, enabling weekly dosing. IGF-1 elevation is sustained between doses. Some protocols alternate with 1 mg twice weekly for more consistent levels.

Ipamorelin: 200-300 mcg subcutaneously 2-3 times daily, ideally 30 minutes before meals or at bedtime to maximize GH pulse. Commonly stacked with CJC-1295 (without DAC) at 100 mcg per injection for synergistic GH release.

For detailed information on weight management peptides, explore our weight loss peptide guide.

Recovery peptides target tissue repair, inflammation resolution, and cellular regeneration. Dosing often varies based on injury type and severity:

BPC-157: 200-300 mcg subcutaneously once or twice daily. Inject as close to the injury site as practical for musculoskeletal applications. For gastrointestinal applications, oral dosing at 500-1000 mcg daily is used. Research protocol duration: 4-8 weeks for acute injuries, 8-12 weeks for chronic conditions. No loading phase required.

TB-500 (Thymosin Beta-4 fragment): Loading phase: 2-2.5 mg subcutaneously twice weekly for 4-6 weeks. Maintenance: 2 mg once weekly or biweekly. Does not require injection near injury site — distributes systemically. Total research protocol duration: 8-16 weeks typically.

GHK-Cu: Topical: 0.5-2% concentration applied once or twice daily. Subcutaneous injection: 1-3 mg per day (approximately 200 mcg/kg body weight). Injection protocols typically run 4-8 weeks. Microneedling delivery: 0.1% concentration applied immediately post-procedure.

KPV: 200-500 mcg subcutaneously once daily for systemic anti-inflammatory effects. For gastrointestinal inflammation, oral dosing at 500-1000 mcg daily is explored. Some protocols use intranasal delivery at 200-400 mcg daily for central anti-inflammatory effects. Research protocol duration: 4-12 weeks depending on the inflammatory condition.

Pentadecarginine (BPC-157 + TB-500 stack): BPC-157 at 250 mcg twice daily (localized) combined with TB-500 at 2 mg twice weekly (systemic). This combination protocol typically runs 6-12 weeks.

For more on healing peptide protocols, see our detailed healing peptides guide.

Anti-aging peptides target cellular senescence, telomere maintenance, growth hormone optimization, and mitochondrial function:

Epithalon (Epitalon): 5-10 mg subcutaneously once daily for 10-20 consecutive days, administered as a "course." Repeat courses every 4-6 months. This pulsed dosing protocol is based on the original research by Dr. Vladimir Khavinson, which demonstrated telomerase activation with short-term intensive treatment followed by sustained effects during the off period.

GHK-Cu (for anti-aging): Topical application at 1-2% concentration once or twice daily is the most extensively validated route for skin anti-aging. Subcutaneous: 1-2 mg daily for 4-8 week courses. The anti-aging application emphasizes collagen remodeling and gene expression modulation rather than acute wound healing.

SS-31 (Elamipretide): 0.25 mg/kg subcutaneously once daily. Research protocols have used durations of 4-12 weeks. SS-31 targets cardiolipin in the inner mitochondrial membrane, restoring electron transport chain efficiency. Some clinical trials used 40 mg fixed dose subcutaneously once daily.

FOXO4-DRI: Highly experimental. Published preclinical protocols used 5 mg/kg intraperitoneally every other day for approximately 3 weeks. This senolytic peptide selectively induces apoptosis in senescent cells by disrupting the FOXO4-p53 interaction. Human dosing has not been established, and the compound remains in early-stage research.

NAD+ Precursor Peptides: While NMN and NR are not peptides, they are commonly co-administered in anti-aging protocols. NMN: 250-500 mg orally once daily. NR: 300-1000 mg orally daily. These support the sirtuin and PARP pathways that peptides like epithalon and SS-31 complement.

For more on anti-aging peptide approaches, explore our peptide therapy guide.

Cognitive peptides target neurotrophic factor production, neuroinflammation, and synaptic plasticity. Intranasal delivery is increasingly used for brain-targeted applications:

Semax: 200-600 mcg intranasally once or twice daily. Standard vials are formulated at 0.1% (1 mg/mL) concentration. Each nasal spray delivers approximately 50-100 mcg, so 2-6 sprays per session is typical. Treatment courses run 10-30 days, with 1-2 month rest periods between courses. Semax upregulates BDNF expression, providing neurotrophic support for cognitive function.

Selank: 250-500 mcg intranasally once or twice daily. Similar to Semax, available in 0.15% nasal spray formulations. Selank modulates GABA signaling and produces anxiolytic effects alongside cognitive enhancement. Treatment courses typically run 14-21 days with rest periods.

Dihexa: Highly potent — effective at picomolar concentrations. Research protocols use 0.5-2 mg subcutaneously or orally daily. Dihexa is approximately 10 million-fold more potent than BDNF at stimulating HGF/c-Met receptor signaling. Due to extreme potency, precise dosing is critical. Limited human data is available.

P21 (P021): An experimental neurotrophic peptide. Preclinical protocols use 60 nmol/g diet in oral formulations or 60-200 mcg intranasally. P21 promotes neurogenesis and synaptogenesis through BDNF pathway modulation without direct BDNF receptor binding.

BPC-157 (neuroprotective applications): 200-300 mcg subcutaneously once daily. BPC-157 shows neuroprotective effects at the same doses used for tissue healing, suggesting a common mechanism threshold. Some protocols use intranasal delivery at 100-200 mcg for more direct CNS targeting.

For detailed information on cognitive peptides, see our articles on Selank and Semax.

Every peptide dosing chart is only useful if one can accurately prepare and measure peptide solutions. Reconstitution math is the foundation of reliable dosing:

Basic Reconstitution Formula

Concentration (mcg per unit) = Total peptide (mcg) ÷ Total solvent (units). For example, a 5 mg (5,000 mcg) vial reconstituted with 2 mL bacteriostatic water gives 2,500 mcg/mL. Using an insulin syringe (100 units = 1 mL), each unit (tick mark) delivers 25 mcg. For a 250 mcg dose, one would draw 10 units.

Practical Concentration Examples

BPC-157 (5 mg vial): Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water → 2,500 mcg/mL → 10 units = 250 mcg dose. TB-500 (5 mg vial): Add 2.5 mL bacteriostatic water → 2,000 mcg/mL → 100 units (1 mL) = 2,000 mcg (2 mg) dose. Ipamorelin (5 mg vial): Add 2.5 mL bacteriostatic water → 2,000 mcg/mL → 15 units = 300 mcg dose. Semaglutide (3 mg vial): Add 3 mL bacteriostatic water → 1,000 mcg/mL → 25 units = 250 mcg (0.25 mg) dose.

Key Reconstitution Rules

Always use bacteriostatic water (not sterile water) for multi-use reconstitution — the 0.9% benzyl alcohol preservative prevents bacterial growth over the vial's use life. Direct the water stream down the side of the vial, not directly onto the lyophilized pellet, to prevent foaming and denaturation. Gently swirl the vial — never shake — until the peptide is fully dissolved. A clear, colorless solution confirms successful reconstitution. Any cloudiness, particles, or discoloration indicates degradation.

For automated calculations, use our peptide calculator — input the vial size, solvent volume, and desired dose, and it will output the exact draw volume in syringe units. For a comprehensive reconstitution walkthrough, see our reconstitution guide.

How often and for how long peptides are administered is as important as the dose itself. Different peptide classes require different timing strategies:

Daily Dosing Peptides

BPC-157, KPV, AOD-9604, GHK-Cu (injectable), tesamorelin, and most growth hormone secretagogues (ipamorelin, GHRP-6, GHRP-2) require daily administration due to their short half-lives (minutes to hours). Some are dosed twice daily for sustained receptor engagement. These peptides generally do not require cycling — continuous use maintains the biological effect without receptor desensitization at standard doses.

Weekly Dosing Peptides

Semaglutide, tirzepatide, CJC-1295 (with DAC), and TB-500 have extended half-lives or depot effects that enable weekly dosing. Adherence is typically higher with weekly protocols. TB-500 transitions from twice-weekly loading to once-weekly maintenance after the initial 4-6 week period.

Pulsed/Cycled Dosing Peptides

Epithalon (10-20 day courses every 4-6 months), Selank/Semax (14-30 day courses with 1-2 month breaks), and certain growth hormone protocols benefit from pulsed dosing to prevent receptor desensitization and allow endogenous pathway recovery. Cycling prevents the tolerance that can develop with chronic stimulation of receptor systems.

Cycling Principles

Peptides acting through G-protein-coupled receptors (most GH secretagogues) can cause receptor downregulation with continuous high-dose use. A common cycling approach is 5 days on/2 days off or 3 months on/1 month off. Peptides acting through non-receptor mechanisms (BPC-157's cytoprotection, collagen peptides' substrate provision) generally do not require cycling. For detailed cycling strategies, see our peptide cycling guide.

Dosing errors account for the majority of inconsistent results in peptide research. These are the most common mistakes and how to prevent them:

Mistake 1 — Using the wrong syringe units: Insulin syringes are calibrated in "units" where 100 units = 1 mL. Some researchers confuse this with "international units" (IU), a completely different measurement. When a dosing chart says "draw 10 units," it means 10 tick marks on a U-100 insulin syringe (0.1 mL), not 10 IU of anything. Always verify which unit system the protocol uses.

Mistake 2 — Inconsistent reconstitution volume: Adding 1 mL of water to a 5 mg vial creates a 5,000 mcg/mL solution. Adding 2 mL creates a 2,500 mcg/mL solution. If the reconstitution volume is changed between vials without recalculating the draw volume, every dose will be wrong. Standardize the reconstitution volume and maintain consistency.

Mistake 3 — Ignoring dose titration: GLP-1 agonists (semaglutide, tirzepatide) require gradual dose escalation over weeks. Starting at full dose causes severe nausea and GI distress in most subjects, leading to protocol discontinuation. Follow published titration schedules exactly.

Mistake 4 — Timing relative to food: GH secretagogues are significantly blunted by food-induced insulin and blood glucose elevation. Administer these peptides on an empty stomach (30+ minutes before or 2+ hours after eating). Fat-loss peptides like AOD-9604 are similarly affected by fed-state insulin.

Mistake 5 — Storing reconstituted peptides improperly: Reconstituted peptides degrade rapidly at room temperature. Refrigerate at 2-8°C immediately after reconstitution and use within 4-6 weeks. Never freeze reconstituted peptide solutions — freeze-thaw cycles denature the protein. Mark reconstitution date on each vial.

Mistake 6 — Assuming all peptides dose the same: A 250 mcg dose of BPC-157 is standard, but a 250 mcg dose of semaglutide is the starting dose of a dose-escalation protocol, and a 250 mcg dose of Dihexa would be significantly below studied ranges. Always verify dose ranges specific to each peptide. Visit our research peptide catalog for product-specific dosing information included with each verified peptide.

This peptide dosing chart is designed as a research reference tool. Several important principles govern its responsible use:

Research Context Only: All dosing information provided reflects protocols published in peer-reviewed research and is intended exclusively for research reference purposes. This chart does not constitute medical advice, and peptide dosing for any purpose should be designed in consultation with qualified professionals.

Individual Variation: Published doses represent population averages from research studies. Individual responses vary based on body weight, body composition, metabolic status, age, sex, genetic polymorphisms affecting drug metabolism, and concurrent medications or supplements. Start at the lower end of published ranges and adjust based on measurable outcomes and tolerability.

Verification: Cross-reference any dosing information with original published studies rather than relying solely on summary charts. Research protocols are updated as new data emerges, and published doses may be revised. PubMed, Google Scholar, and institutional library access provide the primary literature needed for verification.

Quality Assurance: Dosing charts assume pharmaceutical-grade purity (≥98% HPLC). Lower purity products contain unknown impurities and may have different actual peptide content than labeled — a vial labeled "5 mg" at 90% purity actually contains only 4.5 mg of active peptide. Always verify purity via Certificate of Analysis before calculating doses.

Documentation: Record every reconstitution event (date, vial lot number, solvent volume, calculated concentration) and every administration event (date, time, dose, injection site, observations). Consistent documentation enables troubleshooting if results are inconsistent and provides the paper trail needed for regulatory compliance and research reproducibility.

For additional educational resources, explore our peptide fundamentals guide and quality assurance standards.