How to reconstitute a peptide vial without screwing it up

Reconstitution is the step where you turn a vial of dry peptide powder into an injectable liquid. Done wrong, you waste expensive product or contaminate the vial.

What you need: the peptide vial, bacteriostatic water (BAC water), an alcohol swab, a 3mL syringe with a 21G drawing needle (or just the insulin needle if you are careful), a clean flat surface.

Step 1. Wipe both vial tops with alcohol. Let them air dry for 10 seconds.

Step 2. Draw the BAC water into the syringe. The amount you draw depends on the math you did beforehand. The Calculator tab handles this for you.

Step 3. Insert the needle into the BAC water vial at an angle, pull air out first if there is pressure, then pull your target water volume.

Step 4. Inject the BAC water into the peptide vial slowly, aiming the stream at the side of the glass, not directly onto the powder. Hitting the powder head-on causes foaming, which damages peptide structure.

Step 5. Do not shake. Swirl gently. The powder dissolves in 30 to 60 seconds.

Step 6. Refrigerate immediately. Most peptides keep 2-4 weeks reconstituted at fridge temp. BPC-157, TB-500, and GHK-Cu hold well. GLP / GIP class drugs (semaglutide, tirzepatide, retatrutide) hold up to 4-6 weeks. Always check the specific peptide.

Common mistakes: foaming the powder by spraying water directly at it, leaving the reconstituted vial at room temp overnight, double-dipping a used insulin needle into the vial.