Peptide Dosing Chart: A Complete Research Reference

Peptide dosing is not a matter of "more is better." It is a matter of precision. Peptides work within specific concentration ranges that trigger their target receptor pathways.

Below the threshold, no meaningful response is seen. Above the optimal range, risks increase — receptor desensitization, feedback blocking, or off-target effects that can skew 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, it produces robust release. At 100+ mcg/kg, it can cause receptor desensitization that actually reduces GH release over time. The difference between effective and counterproductive is precise dose calculation.

This peptide dosing chart gathers dosing protocols from published peer-reviewed research, manufacturer guidelines, and established research practices. All doses are for research reference only. Individual protocols should be designed with qualified professionals and institutional oversight. For basic info on what peptides are, see our complete peptide guide.

Before using any dosing chart, make sure to understand reconstitution basics — the process of preparing freeze-dried peptide powders for use. Our reconstitution guide covers this in detail. Our peptide calculator automates the math for concentration and draw volume.

Weight management peptides target multiple pathways including GLP-1 receptor activation, growth hormone release, and direct fat-breakdown processes. Accurate dosing is especially critical because many of these compounds need dose titration to reduce 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 is 2.4 mg weekly (as used in the STEP trials). Dose escalation is critical — starting at full dose causes major nausea and GI side effects in most 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. Weight loss was dose-dependent (15.0%, 19.5%, and 20.9%).

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

AOD-9604: Research protocols typically use 250-300 mcg subcutaneously once daily in the morning on an empty stomach. Some protocols use a loading phase of 400-500 mcg daily for 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. Give 30 minutes before meals or at bedtime to maximize GH pulse. Commonly stacked with CJC-1295 (without DAC) at 100 mcg per injection for combined GH release.

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

Recovery peptides target tissue repair, inflammation resolution, and cell regrowth. 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 gut applications, oral dosing at 500-1000 mcg daily is used. Duration: 4-8 weeks for acute injuries, 8-12 weeks for chronic conditions. No loading phase needed.

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 throughout the body. Total duration: 8-16 weeks typically.

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

KPV: 200-500 mcg subcutaneously once daily for systemic anti-inflammatory effects. For gut 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. Duration: 4-12 weeks depending on the condition.

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 cell aging, telomere maintenance, growth hormone tuning, and mitochondrial function.

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

GHK-Cu (for anti-aging): Topical use at 1-2% concentration once or twice daily is the most validated route for skin anti-aging. Subcutaneous: 1-2 mg daily for 4-8 week courses. The anti-aging application focuses on collagen remodeling and gene expression control 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. It restores electron transport chain efficiency. Some clinical trials used a 40 mg fixed dose subcutaneously once daily.

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

NAD+ Precursors: While NMN and NR are not peptides, they are commonly given alongside 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 about 50-100 mcg, so 2-6 sprays per session is typical. Treatment courses run 10-30 days, with 1-2 month rest periods. Semax raises 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 adjusts GABA signaling and produces anxiety-reducing 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 about 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 nerve growth and synapse formation through BDNF pathway control without direct BDNF receptor binding.

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

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

A peptide dosing chart is only useful if peptide solutions can be prepared and measured accurately. 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 mixed 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, draw 10 units.

Practical Examples

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

Key Reconstitution Rules

Always use bacteriostatic water (not sterile water) for multi-use mixing. 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 freeze-dried pellet. This prevents foaming and breakdown. Gently swirl the vial — never shake — until the peptide is fully dissolved. A clear, colorless solution confirms successful mixing. Any cloudiness, particles, or discoloration indicates degradation.

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

How often and for how long peptides are given 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 dosing due to their short half-lives (minutes to hours). Some are dosed twice daily for sustained receptor engagement. These peptides generally do not need 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 GH protocols benefit from pulsed dosing. This prevents receptor desensitization and allows natural pathway recovery. Cycling prevents the tolerance that can develop with chronic receptor stimulation.

Cycling Principles

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

Dosing errors account for most inconsistent results in peptide research. Here 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 totally different measurement.

When a dosing chart says "draw 10 units," it means 10 tick marks on a U-100 insulin syringe (0.1 mL). It does not mean 10 IU. 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 volume changes between vials without recalculating the draw volume, every dose will be wrong. Standardize the volume and keep it consistent.

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. This leads to protocol discontinuation. Follow published titration schedules exactly.

Mistake 4 — Timing relative to food: GH secretagogues are greatly blunted by food-induced insulin and blood glucose elevation. Give 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 right after reconstitution and use within 4-6 weeks. Never freeze reconstituted solutions — freeze-thaw cycles denature the protein. Mark the reconstitution date on each vial.

Mistake 6 — Assuming all peptides dose the same: A 250 mcg dose of BPC-157 is standard. But 250 mcg of semaglutide is just the starting dose of a dose-escalation protocol.

And 250 mcg of Dihexa would be well below studied ranges. Always verify dose ranges specific to each peptide from primary literature and seller documentation. Research listings—we don't verify vial contents.

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

Research Context Only: All dosing info reflects protocols published in peer-reviewed research. It is intended only for research reference purposes. This chart does not constitute medical advice. Peptide dosing for any purpose should be designed 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 factors affecting drug metabolism, and concurrent medications. Start at the lower end of published ranges and adjust based on measurable outcomes and tolerability.

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

Quality Assurance: Dosing charts assume pharmaceutical-grade purity (≥98% HPLC). Lower purity products contain unknown impurities. They 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, lot number, solvent volume, calculated concentration) and every dosing event (date, time, dose, injection site, observations). Consistent documentation enables troubleshooting if results are inconsistent. It also provides the paper trail needed for regulatory compliance and reproducibility.

For more educational resources, explore our peptide fundamentals guide and how we discuss sourcing (we don’t test products).