How to Reconstitute Weight Loss Peptides: Step-by-Step Guide

If you've received your first vial of peptide powder and are staring at it wondering "now what?" you're not alone. The process of mixing peptide powder with liquid (called reconstitution) can feel intimidating the first time. But here's the thing: once you understand the basics, it becomes second nature. Think of it like making instant coffee, except way more precise and with significantly better results than just caffeine jitters.

Let's walk through how to properly reconstitute four of the most popular weight loss peptides: Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, Liraglutide, and AOD-9604. By the end of this guide, you'll feel confident handling your peptides like a pro.

Why Peptides Come as Powder

You might be wondering why peptides don't just arrive ready to inject. The answer is stability. Peptides are delicate molecules that break down quickly when stored in liquid form. By freeze-drying them into powder, manufacturers can extend their shelf life from weeks to years. Once you add liquid, the clock starts ticking, which is why you'll need to store reconstituted peptides in the refrigerator and use them within a specific timeframe.

What You'll Need

Before we get into the specifics for each peptide, let's gather your supplies. You'll need bacteriostatic water (not regular water, as it contains preservatives that prevent bacterial growth), alcohol swabs, the appropriate syringes, and of course, your peptide vials. Having everything organized on a clean surface before you start makes the process much smoother.

Most people find that insulin syringes work well for the actual injection, but you might want larger syringes for the initial reconstitution depending on how much liquid you're adding. We'll get into the specific volumes for each peptide in a moment.

The Golden Rules of Reconstitution

Regardless of which peptide you're working with, there are a few universal principles. First, always work in a clean environment. This doesn't mean you need a hospital-grade clean room, but wash your hands thoroughly and wipe down your work surface.

Second, when adding liquid to the powder, aim the stream down the side of the vial rather than directly onto the powder. Think of it like pouring beer into a glass. If you blast it straight down the middle, you get foam. Same principle here, except instead of foam, you're risking damage to the peptide molecules.

Third, don't shake the vial. After adding the liquid, gently swirl or roll it between your hands. The powder should dissolve completely, leaving you with a clear solution. If you see cloudiness or particles floating around after a few minutes, something went wrong.

Reconstituting Semaglutide

Semaglutide typically comes in vials containing 2mg, 5mg, or 10mg of powder. The most common approach is to add 2ml of bacteriostatic water to a 5mg vial, which gives you a concentration of 2.5mg per ml. This makes dosing straightforward for the typical protocol that starts at 0.25mg weekly.

Here's how it works: Remove the plastic caps from both the peptide vial and your bacteriostatic water. Wipe the rubber stoppers with alcohol swabs and let them air dry for a few seconds. Draw 2ml of bacteriostatic water into your syringe, then slowly inject it down the side of the peptide vial. Don't rush this part. The liquid should trickle down the glass wall, not splash onto the powder.

Once all the liquid is in, gently swirl the vial. You'll see the powder start to dissolve within about 30 seconds to a minute. Store it in the refrigerator, and it should remain stable for about 28 days.

If you need help calculating your exact dose based on this concentration, the peptide calculator can save you the mental math. Just input your vial size, the amount of bacteriostatic water you used, and your prescribed dose, and it will tell you exactly how many units to draw on your insulin syringe.

Reconstituting Tirzepatide

Tirzepatide follows a similar process to Semaglutide, but the vial sizes and dosing are a bit different. Most compounded Tirzepatide comes in 5mg, 10mg, or 15mg vials. A common reconstitution ratio is adding 2ml of bacteriostatic water to a 10mg vial, giving you 5mg per ml.

The technique is identical to Semaglutide. Clean everything with alcohol, add your bacteriostatic water slowly down the side of the vial, and gently swirl until dissolved. The solution should be crystal clear. If you're starting at the typical 2.5mg weekly dose, you'll be drawing 0.5ml from this concentration.

Some people prefer different dilutions depending on their prescribed dose. If you're on a higher maintenance dose, using less water makes each injection a smaller volume, which some people find more comfortable. There's no single "right" answer, just what works best for your specific protocol.

Again, when you're figuring out your exact dosing measurements, having a reliable calculator makes life easier. You can double-check your math using the peptide calculator before every injection until you're completely confident with the numbers.

Reconstituting Liraglutide

Liraglutide is a bit different from the others because it's typically used at higher doses and injected daily rather than weekly. Most compounded Liraglutide comes in 6mg vials, and a standard reconstitution would be adding 2ml of bacteriostatic water, creating a 3mg per ml concentration.

The reconstitution process itself is the same song, different verse. Alcohol swab, slow injection down the side, gentle swirling, refrigerate. What changes is your usage pattern. Since you're injecting daily, a single vial will last a shorter period compared to weekly peptides. At a typical maintenance dose of 3mg daily, a properly reconstituted 6mg vial would give you two doses.

Many people on Liraglutide find it helpful to prepare multiple vials at once so they're not reconstituting every other day. You can safely store unopened vials of powder for extended periods, but once reconstituted, use them within 28 days. Some people mark their vials with the reconstitution date using a small label or piece of tape.

Reconstituting AOD-9604

AOD-9604 is the outlier in this group because it's not a GLP-1 medication. It's a fragment of human growth hormone that specifically targets fat metabolism without affecting blood sugar or causing the appetite suppression of GLP-1s. The reconstitution process, however, remains consistent with the others.

AOD-9604 typically comes in 2mg or 5mg vials. For a 5mg vial, adding 2ml of bacteriostatic water gives you 2.5mg per ml, making the math straightforward for typical dosing protocols of 300mcg (0.3mg) daily. Some protocols call for twice-daily injections, so you might go through your supply faster than with weekly peptides.

One thing that's unique about AOD-9604 is that it's often used alongside other peptides or GLP-1s for enhanced fat loss. If you're running multiple peptides, keeping them organized becomes crucial. Label your vials clearly with both the peptide name and the concentration. Trust me, future you will be grateful when you're not trying to remember which clear liquid in the fridge is which.

Getting Your Calculations Right

Here's where a lot of people get nervous, and rightfully so. Getting your calculations wrong means either underdosing (wasting money and not getting results) or overdosing (increasing side effects unnecessarily). The basic formula is straightforward: the amount you draw in your syringe depends on your concentration and prescribed dose.

Let's say you have a 5mg vial of Semaglutide that you've reconstituted with 2ml of bacteriostatic water. You need 0.25mg for your injection. Your concentration is 2.5mg per ml, which means each ml contains 2.5mg. To get 0.25mg, you need 0.1ml, which equals 10 units on a standard insulin syringe.

If math isn't your favorite subject (and let's be real, it isn't for most of us), don't try to do these calculations in your head at 7am before work. Use the peptide calculator every single time until you're absolutely certain of your measurements. It takes 10 seconds and eliminates the risk of mathematical errors that could affect your results.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The biggest mistake people make is rushing. Take your time, especially during those first few reconstitutions. The peptide isn't going anywhere, and moving deliberately reduces the chance of contamination or errors.

Another common issue is using the wrong type of water. Regular sterile water lacks the preservatives of bacteriostatic water, which means your peptide will only stay good for a few days instead of weeks. Don't try to save money by substituting water types. It's not worth the risk of ruined peptides or potential infections.

Some people accidentally draw air bubbles into their syringe along with the peptide solution. While a tiny bubble won't hurt you, it does mean you're getting slightly less medication than you think. Tap the syringe gently to move bubbles to the top, then push them out before injecting.

Storage and Handling

Once reconstituted, all of these peptides need to stay refrigerated at 36-46°F (2-8°C). Don't put them in the freezer or leave them at room temperature for extended periods. Most peptides can handle being out of the fridge during travel or for your actual injection process, but don't make a habit of leaving them on the counter.

Keep them away from light. Most peptide vials come in amber-colored glass for this reason. If yours don't, consider storing them in a small box or drawer in the fridge rather than on a well-lit shelf.

The general rule of thumb is 28 days for most reconstituted peptides when stored properly. Some people report their peptides remaining effective longer, but potency does decrease over time. When you're paying good money for these medications, you want to make sure you're getting the full benefit.

Traveling with Reconstituted Peptides

If you need to travel with your peptides, invest in a small medical cooler with ice packs. TSA allows medically necessary liquids over 3.4oz if you declare them at security. Keeping them cool during travel is more important than keeping them perfectly refrigerated. A few hours at slightly warmer temperatures won't destroy your peptides, but sitting in a hot car definitely will.

Bring your prescription information with you when traveling, especially internationally. While peptides are legal with a prescription, you don't want any confusion at customs. Having documentation makes everyone's life easier.

When Something Goes Wrong

If your reconstituted peptide looks cloudy, has floating particles, or changes color, don't use it. Clear peptide solutions should stay clear. Any visible changes suggest either contamination or degradation of the peptide itself.

If you accidentally inject a wrong dose, don't panic. One slightly higher or lower dose isn't going to cause major problems in most cases. Make a note of what happened and return to your regular schedule with the next dose. If you significantly overdosed (like injecting a week's worth instead of a day's worth), contact your healthcare provider for guidance.

Making Reconstitution Part of Your Routine

After a few weeks, reconstituting peptides becomes as routine as making your morning coffee. You'll develop your own system and preferences. Some people set aside Sunday evening as "peptide prep time" when they reconstitute their weekly dose. Others prefer to prepare multiple vials at once to minimize how often they need to go through the process.

Whatever system you develop, consistency is key. Using PeptideKit can help you track when you reconstituted each vial, when you injected, and when you need to prepare more. Having this information organized in one place removes the mental load of trying to remember dates and details.