How to reconstitute research peptides

What reconstitution is

Lyophilised research peptides arrive as a sealed glass vial containing a freeze-dried powder. Adding bacteriostatic water — sterile water containing 0.9% benzyl alcohol — dissolves the powder into a uniform solution that can survive multiple stopper punctures for up to a month under refrigeration.

What you need

• Lyophilised peptide vial (sealed, refrigerated)
• Bacteriostatic water for injection (2 – 5 mL ampoule)
• One large draw syringe (1 mL or 3 mL) and one small administration syringe (U-100 / U-50)
• Two alcohol prep pads
• The Reconstitution Calculator open in another tab

The procedure

1. Swab the stopper of the bacteriostatic water vial. Withdraw the volume your protocol specifies (typically 1 – 3 mL).
2. Swab the stopper of the peptide vial. Insert the needle at a shallow angle.
3. Aim the needle tip at the inside wall of the vial. Inject the water slowly, allowing it to run down the wall onto the powder.
4. Withdraw the empty syringe. Swirl gently — do not shake. Most research peptides dissolve fully within 60 seconds.
5. Allow the solution to settle for a further 60 seconds before withdrawing any draw.
6. Label the vial with peptide name, concentration (mcg/mL), and the date of reconstitution.
7. Store refrigerated (2 – 8 °C). Most reconstituted peptides remain stable 14 – 28 days.

Common mistakes

• Shaking the vial — agitation can shear larger peptide chains.
• Injecting water directly onto the powder — creates a foam that traps peptide.
• Forgetting to label — concentration is invisible by inspection.

After reconstitution

With the vial labelled, use the Dosage Calculator to convert your research dose into syringe ticks, and the Half-Life Calculator to choose an administration interval.