Peptide Dosing Chart: Compound-Specific Protocols for 25+ Peptides in 2026

The dosing ranges in this guide are derived from published preclinical research, FDA-approved prescribing information (for GLP-1 drugs), and practitioner/community-reported protocols — for research peptides, no FDA-approved human dosing exists, and these numbers reflect the most commonly used ranges, not validated medical doses.

This guide tells you what dose to target for each compound. For help converting that dose into syringe units, use the dose calculator. For how to prepare a lyophilized vial, see the reconstitution guide. For injection technique, see the SubQ vs IM guide.

How to Use This Guide — What These Numbers Mean and What They Don't

Every dose range in this article falls into one of 3 evidence categories, and knowing which category applies to the compound you're using determines how much confidence to place in the numbers:

FDA-approved dosing (semaglutide, tirzepatide, tesamorelin): these are standardized, clinically validated titration schedules from FDA prescribing information. Follow them exactly.

Clinical protocol dosing (Thymosin Alpha-1): the dosing is derived from approved pharmaceutical products used in specific countries (e.g., Zadaxin), giving it stronger clinical grounding than most research peptides.

Preclinical extrapolation + community protocols (BPC-157, TB-500, GHK-Cu, Ipamorelin, MOTS-c, and most others): these doses are derived from allometric scaling of animal study doses to human-equivalent ranges (Nair et al. 2016), combined with community and practitioner experience. No FDA-approved human dosing exists.

Units matter: most peptides are dosed in micrograms (mcg). GLP-1 drugs, TB-500, and MOTS-c are dosed in milligrams (mg). The conversion: 1 mg = 1,000 mcg. Confusing these units is the single most dangerous dosing error — always verify units before administration.

The universal principle: start at the low end of the range, assess response for 1–2 weeks, and increase gradually. This applies to every compound in this guide.

Healing Peptides — BPC-157, TB-500, GHK-Cu and KPV

BPC-157 is typically dosed at 250–500 mcg per day (one or two injections), TB-500 uses a loading phase of 2–5 mg twice weekly followed by lower maintenance dosing, and GHK-Cu is administered at 250–500 mcg per day — with cycle lengths of 4–8 weeks for all three compounds.

BPC-157 + TB-500 stack (the Wolverine Protocol): run simultaneously — BPC-157 at 250–500 mcg/day + TB-500 at 2–5 mg twice weekly. They target different repair mechanisms (BPC-157 = local signaling; TB-500 = systemic cell migration) and do not conflict pharmacologically.

Why is TB-500 dosed in mg while BPC-157 uses mcg? Because effective amounts differ by approximately 10x. BPC-157 is active at 250–500 mcg (0.25–0.5 mg). TB-500 requires 2–5 mg (2,000–5,000 mcg). A 5 mg vial of BPC-157 provides 10–20 daily doses; a 5 mg vial of TB-500 provides approximately 1–2 loading doses.

GH Secretagogues — Ipamorelin, CJC-1295, Sermorelin and Others

GH secretagogues such as Ipamorelin and CJC-1295 are typically dosed at 100–300 mcg per injection, 1–3 times daily on an empty stomach — and the single most important dosing concept for this category is the saturation dose: doubling the amount beyond approximately 1 mcg/kg body weight does not double the GH response.

Why fasting matters: food — especially carbohydrates and fats — triggers insulin release, which directly blunts the GH response by up to 70%. The minimum fasting window is 2 hours before injection and 30 minutes after before eating. This is not optional for GH secretagogues — it is a pharmacological requirement. Before-bed dosing is preferred because it syncs with the body's natural nocturnal GH pulse.

The saturation dose: GH secretagogues have a ceiling effect at approximately 1 mcg/kg body weight per injection (roughly 100 mcg for a 100 kg person). The pituitary has a finite number of GH-releasing receptors that can be activated per pulse. Beyond the saturation threshold, additional peptide produces diminishing returns — doubling from 200 mcg to 400 mcg does not meaningfully increase GH release. The 100–300 mcg standard range accounts for individual variation, not a linear dose-response.

For detailed protocols and timing, see the CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin stack article. For cycling guidance, see the peptide cycling guide.

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists — Semaglutide, Tirzepatide and Retatrutide

Semaglutide and tirzepatide are the only peptides with FDA-approved dosing schedules — semaglutide titrates from 0.25 mg to 2.4 mg/week over 16–20 weeks, tirzepatide from 2.5 mg to 15 mg/week — and skipping this titration is the single most common and most consequential dosing mistake in all of peptide use.

Skipping titration causes severe GI side effects. Starting semaglutide at 1.0 mg or tirzepatide at 10 mg without the gradual ramp-up produces severe nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in most users. These drugs require 16–20 weeks of gradual dose increases for a reason — the GI tract needs time to adapt to GLP-1 receptor activation.

For compounded semaglutide/tirzepatide (lyophilized powder from a compounding pharmacy): the same titration schedule applies. The compound is the same molecule — the titration requirement does not change because it came from a compounding pharmacy instead of a brand-name pre-filled pen. Use the dose calculator to convert mg doses into syringe units for your specific reconstitution concentration.

Weekly SubQ injection, same day each week. No fasting required. Continuous use until weight goal is achieved or as directed by the prescribing physician. No cycling.

Melanocortin, Immune, Nootropic and Metabolic Peptides

Melanocortin peptides such as Melanotan II use a loading/maintenance protocol (0.25–0.5 mg/day loading, then 1–2x/week), while nootropic peptides like Semax and Selank are dosed intranasally at 200–750 mcg/day in 2–4 week cycles — and each category has distinct timing, route, and cycling requirements that cannot be generalized.

Note on MOTS-c dosing: MOTS-c has zero published human dosing studies as of 2026. The 5–10 mg, 2–3x/week protocol is entirely derived from community and practitioner experience. There is no allometric scaling data or clinical precedent for this dose — treat it with appropriate caution.

5 Dosing Mistakes That Waste Peptides or Cause Side Effects

The 5 most common peptide dosing mistakes — skipping GLP-1 titration, eating before GH secretagogues, exceeding the saturation dose, confusing mcg with mg, and ignoring route-dependent bioavailability — collectively account for the majority of wasted peptides and avoidable side effects.

1. Skipping GLP-1 titration. Starting semaglutide at 1.0+ mg or tirzepatide at 7.5+ mg without the ramp-up causes severe nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The titration schedule exists because the GI tract requires weeks to adapt to GLP-1 receptor activation. Follow the schedule exactly — this applies to brand-name AND compounded formulations.

2. Eating before GH secretagogues. Food — especially carbohydrates and fats — triggers insulin release that directly blunts the GH response by up to 70%. A 300 mcg dose of Ipamorelin after dinner may produce the same GH pulse as 100 mcg on an empty stomach. Fast for at least 2 hours before injection and 30 minutes before eating after.

3. Exceeding the saturation dose for GH secretagogues. The pituitary has a finite number of GH-releasing receptors per pulse. Beyond approximately 1 mcg/kg body weight, additional peptide produces diminishing returns. Injecting 400 mcg instead of 200 mcg does not produce meaningfully more GH — it wastes half the dose.

4. Confusing mcg and mg. 1 mg = 1,000 mcg. Most peptides are dosed in mcg (250–500 mcg). GLP-1 drugs and TB-500 are dosed in mg. Taking 500 mg instead of 500 mcg would be a 1,000x overdose. This error is rare but documented. Always verify the unit on the vial label matches the unit in your protocol.

5. Ignoring route-dependent bioavailability. Oral BPC-157 has lower systemic bioavailability than injectable SubQ — the same 250 mcg dose produces different systemic exposure depending on the route. For gut healing, oral delivery provides higher local concentration at the target tissue (which is the advantage). For musculoskeletal healing, injectable provides higher systemic bioavailability. The dose number may be the same, but the effective delivery is not.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to fast before all peptide injections?

No — fasting is specifically required for GH secretagogues only (Ipamorelin, CJC-1295, Sermorelin, GHRP-2/6, Hexarelin) because food-triggered insulin blunts the GH response. BPC-157, TB-500, GHK-Cu, melanocortin peptides, immune peptides, and GLP-1 drugs do not require fasting. AOD-9604 and HGH Fragment 176-191 are typically administered fasted in the morning to maximize fat metabolism effects, but this is practitioner preference rather than a pharmacological requirement.

Can I use the same BPC-157 dose for gut healing and tendon repair?

Yes — the dose range (250–500 mcg/day) is the same for both applications. What changes is the route: oral for gut-specific applications (direct contact with the GI mucosa at high local concentration), SubQ injection (abdomen or near injury) for musculoskeletal and systemic applications. The dose stays the same; the delivery method changes based on the target tissue.

What is the saturation dose for GH secretagogues?

Approximately 1 mcg/kg of body weight per injection — around 100 mcg for a 100 kg person. Beyond this threshold, the pituitary's GH-releasing receptors are maximally occupied and additional peptide produces diminishing returns. This is why the standard range is 100–300 mcg — the upper end accounts for individual variation in receptor density and sensitivity, not a linear dose-response that keeps scaling upward. Exceeding the saturation dose wastes peptide without proportionally increasing the GH output.

What happens if I accidentally take too much of a peptide?

Effects vary by compound. GLP-1 overdose causes severe nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea — seek medical attention. GH secretagogue overdose may cause water retention, tingling, numbness, or transient hypoglycemia. BPC-157 and TB-500 have wide safety margins in preclinical studies with no documented toxicity at doses far exceeding standard ranges — though human safety data at supraphysiological doses does not exist. Melanotan II overdose causes severe nausea, facial flushing, and prolonged erection in men. For any significant overdose or concerning symptoms, contact a healthcare provider immediately.

How do I convert these doses into syringe units?

Use the dose calculator, which walks through the conversion step by step. The short version: divide your target dose (in mcg) by the concentration of your reconstituted vial (in mcg/mL) to get the volume in mL, then multiply by 100 to get insulin syringe units. Example: 250 mcg target dose ÷ 2,500 mcg/mL concentration (5 mg vial + 2 mL BAC water) = 0.1 mL = 10 units on a U-100 insulin syringe.

This article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Dosing ranges for research peptides are derived from preclinical extrapolation and community protocols — not from FDA-approved human dosing guidelines. GLP-1 receptor agonist doses are from FDA prescribing information and require a physician prescription. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any peptide or research compound. Peptigrity is an independent review platform and does not sell, endorse, or recommend specific products or vendors.