Question 1

What is peptide reconstitution and why is it necessary?

Accepted Answer

Peptides are shipped as lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder to preserve stability. Reconstitution is the process of dissolving this powder with bacteriostatic water (BAC water) to create an injectable solution. Without reconstitution, accurate dosing is not possible.

Question 2

How much bacteriostatic water should I add to my vial?

Accepted Answer

There is no single correct volume — it depends on the peptide amount and your desired concentration. Common volumes are 1–3 mL. Adding more water makes each unit on the syringe deliver a smaller dose, which can improve dosing precision.

Question 3

Can I use sterile water instead of bacteriostatic water?

Accepted Answer

Bacteriostatic water contains 0.9% benzyl alcohol, which inhibits bacterial growth and allows multi-dose use over several weeks. Sterile water lacks this preservative — if used, the entire vial should be consumed within 24 hours.

Question 4

How long do reconstituted peptides remain stable?

Accepted Answer

When reconstituted with bacteriostatic water and stored at 2–8°C (refrigerated), most peptides remain stable for 21–28 days. Avoid freezing reconstituted solutions.

Question 5

What syringe size should I use for peptide injections?

Accepted Answer

Insulin syringes in 0.3 mL (30 units), 0.5 mL (50 units), or 1 mL (100 units) are standard. For doses under 30 units, a 0.3 mL syringe offers finer graduation marks and greater precision.

Question 6

What is the difference between units, IU, and mL?

Accepted Answer

On an insulin syringe, 'units' refer to the graduation marks — a 100-unit syringe holds 1 mL, so 1 unit = 0.01 mL. IU (International Units) is a pharmacological measure of biological activity, not directly equivalent to syringe units.

Question 7

How do I calculate the number of doses in a vial?

Accepted Answer

Divide the total peptide content (in mcg) by your dose per injection. For example, a 5 mg BPC-157 vial contains 5,000 mcg. At 250 mcg per dose, that yields 20 doses.

Question 8

How should I store unreconstituted peptide vials?

Accepted Answer

Lyophilized peptides should be stored in a cool, dry place. Refrigeration (2–8°C) is ideal for long-term storage. Always check the manufacturer's storage recommendations.

Question 9

Is mcgcalc free to use?

Accepted Answer

Yes, completely free — no sign-ups required, no hidden fees. All calculations run entirely in your browser.

Question 10

Does mcgcalc store my personal data?

Accepted Answer

No. We don't collect any personal information. Saved calculations are stored locally in your browser using localStorage — nothing is ever sent to a server.