How to Reconstitute BPC-157 (Step by Step)

By DoseGauge Editorial · Updated 2026-06-12 · 5 min read

To reconstitute BPC-157, you add bacteriostatic water to the lyophilized (freeze-dried) vial, direct the stream gently against the glass wall, and swirl slowly until the powder dissolves. Do not shake. The volume of water you add sets the concentration in micrograms per milliliter, and that concentration determines how many units you draw for a given dose. Units on a U-100 insulin syringe equal the draw volume in milliliters times 100. The calculator on this page converts your vial size, water volume, and microgram dose into the exact draw. None of this is a recommendation to use BPC-157, which is not FDA-approved.

What you need

• A vial of lyophilized BPC-157 (commonly 5 mg or 10 mg).
• Bacteriostatic water for injection. This is sterile water that contains 0.9% benzyl alcohol as a preservative, which lets you make repeated withdrawals from the same multi-dose vial over several days. See what bacteriostatic water is for the difference from sterile and distilled water.
• A U-100 insulin syringe for drawing doses, plus a larger syringe if you prefer it for adding the water.
• An alcohol swab for the vial stoppers.

The DailyMed label for bacteriostatic water describes it as a multiple-dose preparation indicated for diluting or dissolving drugs prior to injection, which is the role it plays here.

Step by step

1. Wipe the rubber stopper on both the BPC-157 vial and the bacteriostatic water vial with an alcohol swab and let them dry.
2. Draw your chosen volume of bacteriostatic water into the syringe. The volume you pick sets the concentration, so decide it before you start (the section below shows the math).
3. Insert the needle into the BPC-157 vial at an angle and push the plunger slowly so the water runs down the inside glass wall, not directly onto the powder.
4. Swirl the vial gently until the powder fully dissolves. Do not shake. Peptides are delicate, and swirling avoids the foaming and shear that vigorous shaking causes.
5. Once the solution is clear, store the vial refrigerated. Draw individual doses with a U-100 insulin syringe when you need them.

The reconstitution math (in mcg)

BPC-157 doses are discussed in micrograms, while the vial is labeled in milligrams. Convert milligrams to micrograms first (multiply by 1,000), then use three lines:

concentration (mcg/mL) = vial amount (mcg) / water added (mL)
draw volume (mL)        = dose (mcg) / concentration (mcg/mL)
units (U-100 syringe)   = draw volume (mL) x 100

Worked example. A 5 mg vial is 5,000 mcg. Add 2 mL of bacteriostatic water and the concentration is 5,000 / 2 = 2,500 mcg/mL. For a 250 mcg dose, the draw volume is 250 / 2,500 = 0.10 mL, which is 10 units on a U-100 syringe. That vial holds 20 such doses. (The 250 mcg figure is used only to show the arithmetic; it is not a recommended dose, and BPC-157 has no established human dose.)

Change the water volume and every number changes. The same 5 mg vial in 1 mL is 5,000 mcg/mL, so a 250 mcg dose becomes 0.05 mL, or 5 units. This is why you cannot copy someone else's unit count: it only holds if their vial size and water volume match yours exactly.

The calculator runs these formulas for your specific inputs. The same formulas are documented on the methodology page.

Storage and handling

After reconstitution, keep the vial refrigerated. Bacteriostatic water's benzyl alcohol preservative is what allows repeated withdrawals from a multi-dose vial, but it does not make the contents last indefinitely. Use the reconstituted peptide within the period your supplier specifies, keep the stopper clean, and inspect the solution before each draw; discard it if it becomes cloudy or discolored. Storage practices for a research peptide should follow the supplier's instructions and any guidance from a licensed clinician.

Frequently asked questions

How much bacteriostatic water do you use for BPC-157?

There is no single correct amount. The water volume sets the concentration, which sets how many units a given dose draws. More water means a lower concentration and more units per dose; less water means a higher concentration and fewer units. Pick a volume that keeps your typical draw within your syringe's range, then let the calculator convert your vial size and water volume into exact units.

Can you shake the BPC-157 vial to dissolve it faster?

No. Shaking introduces shear and foaming that can degrade a peptide. Add the water slowly down the glass wall and swirl gently until the powder dissolves. If it does not dissolve immediately, give it a few minutes rather than shaking.

Does reconstituted BPC-157 need to be refrigerated?

Yes. Store the reconstituted vial in the refrigerator and use it within the period your supplier specifies. Bacteriostatic water lets you make repeated withdrawals from a multi-dose vial, but refrigeration and a clean technique still matter for keeping the solution usable.

Informational and educational only. Not medical advice. DoseGauge computes from the values you enter and does not recommend a dose. Talk to a licensed clinician before using any peptide or GLP-1 medication.