Reconstitution Volume Reference
This reference table provides pre-calculated reconstitution volumes for every common combination of vial size and desired concentration. Print it, save it, or bookmark it for instant access during reconstitution.
Key Takeaways
- The standard formula is: Water (mL) = (Vial mg x 1000) / (Desired mcg per 0.1mL x 10).
- For most 5mg vials, 2mL of BAC water is a practical default that gives 250mcg per 0.1mL.
- Verify your vial can physically hold the calculated water volume before adding it.
- On a U-100 insulin syringe, 0.1mL equals 10 units (the first numbered mark).
- Keep this reference printed near your reconstitution workspace for quick lookup.
Standard Reconstitution Table
This table shows the volume of bacteriostatic water (in mL) to add based on your vial size (mg) and desired micrograms per 0.1mL. Find your vial size in the rows and your target dose per tick in the columns. The formula used is: Water (mL) = (Vial mg x 1000) / (mcg per 0.1mL x 10).
- 1.2mg vial: 50mcg/tick=4mL | 100mcg/tick=2mL | 200mcg/tick=1mL | 250mcg/tick=0.8mL | 500mcg/tick=0.4mL
- 2.5mg vial: 50mcg/tick=10mL | 100mcg/tick=5mL | 200mcg/tick=2.5mL | 250mcg/tick=2mL | 500mcg/tick=1mL
- 3.10mg vial: 100mcg/tick=10mL | 200mcg/tick=5mL | 250mcg/tick=4mL | 500mcg/tick=2mL | 1000mcg/tick=1mL
- 4.15mg vial: 100mcg/tick=15mL | 200mcg/tick=7.5mL | 250mcg/tick=6mL | 500mcg/tick=3mL | 1000mcg/tick=1.5mL
- 5.20mg vial: 200mcg/tick=10mL | 250mcg/tick=8mL | 500mcg/tick=4mL | 1000mcg/tick=2mL
- 6.30mg vial: 250mcg/tick=12mL | 500mcg/tick=6mL | 1000mcg/tick=3mL
Peptide-Specific Reconstitution Notes
Some peptides have unique characteristics that affect reconstitution. These notes provide additional guidance for commonly researched compounds beyond the standard table values.
- 1.BPC-157 (typically 5mg vials): Most common reconstitution is 2mL BAC water for 250mcg per 0.1mL. Dissolves easily and quickly.
- 2.TB-500 (typically 5mg vials): Often reconstituted with 1-2mL. Higher concentrations are fine as doses are larger (2-5mg). May take slightly longer to dissolve.
- 3.Ipamorelin (typically 5mg or 10mg vials): 2mL in a 5mg vial gives 250mcg per 0.1mL. A popular reconstitution for standard 200-300mcg doses.
- 4.CJC-1295 no DAC (typically 2mg or 5mg vials): 1mL in a 2mg vial gives 200mcg per 0.1mL. Doses are usually 100-200mcg.
- 5.Semaglutide (varying vial sizes): Reconstitution depends on the form. Follow manufacturer specifications as this is an FDA-approved medication.
- 6.GHK-Cu (typically 50mg vials): Larger vials require more water. 5mL in a 50mg vial gives 1000mcg (1mg) per 0.1mL.
Practical Tips for Using This Reference
A few practical considerations help you get the most out of this reference and avoid common reconstitution mistakes.
- 1.If the calculated volume is under 0.5mL, the solution will be very concentrated and harder to measure small doses. Consider using a lower dose per tick.
- 2.If the calculated volume exceeds 3mL, verify your vial can hold that much. Standard 2mL vials cannot accommodate 3mL+ of water.
- 3.For very small vials (1-2mg), using 1-2mL of water is typical, resulting in moderate concentrations.
- 4.For large vials (20-30mg), higher concentrations (more mcg per tick) keep the total water volume manageable.
- 5.When in doubt, 2mL of BAC water is a common default that works well for most 5mg vials at standard research doses.
Syringe Volume Equivalents
Understanding the relationship between mL, syringe units, and tick marks is essential for using this reference correctly.
- 1.0.01mL = 1 unit on a U-100 insulin syringe (one small tick mark)
- 2.0.05mL = 5 units on a U-100 syringe (halfway between 0 and the 10 mark)
- 3.0.1mL = 10 units on a U-100 syringe (the first numbered mark on many syringes)
- 4.0.5mL = 50 units = half a U-100 syringe
- 5.1.0mL = 100 units = a full U-100 syringe
- 6.U-50 and U-30 syringes have the same mL equivalents but different unit markings
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the exact concentration I want is not in the table?
Use the formula directly: Water (mL) = (Vial mg x 1000) / (Desired mcg per 0.1mL x 10). For example, if you want 300mcg per 0.1mL from a 5mg vial: (5 x 1000) / (300 x 10) = 5000 / 3000 = 1.67mL of bacteriostatic water. Round to the nearest measurable increment on your syringe.
Can I add more water later if the solution is too concentrated?
Yes, you can add more BAC water to a reconstituted vial to dilute the solution. Just recalculate your new concentration based on the total water volume (original + added). For example, if you started with 1mL and add 1mL more, the concentration is halved. Make sure to update the label on the vial with the new concentration.
Why are some table cells blank or not recommended?
Some combinations of vial size and concentration result in impractical volumes. Very high concentrations (low water volumes) can make it impossible to measure small doses accurately with standard syringes. Very low concentrations (high water volumes) may exceed the physical capacity of the vial or require uncomfortably large injection volumes. The table omits combinations that fall outside practical use ranges.