How much BAC water do I add to a 500 mg NAD+ vial?

The most common approach is 10 mL, giving a 50 mg/mL concentration. This means 1 mL draws exactly 50 mg. If you want 25 mg/mL for a lower-sting experience, add 20 mL. Avoid going above 50 mg/mL for subcutaneous use as larger concentrations increase injection site discomfort.

Can I use sterile water instead of bacteriostatic water for NAD+?

Sterile water works for single-use reconstitution but lacks the benzyl alcohol preservative that gives BAC water its multi-use stability. If you reconstitute with sterile water, use the entire vial within 24 hours and discard any remainder. BAC water is strongly preferred for multi-day protocols.

Why does NAD+ injection burn?

The burning is largely concentration and injection-speed dependent. Injecting more slowly (30-60 seconds per mL) and using a more dilute solution (25 mg/mL instead of 50 mg/mL) substantially reduces discomfort. The abdomen and outer thigh tend to be less sensitive than the lower back. Applying gentle pressure after the injection also helps.

How long does reconstituted NAD+ last in the fridge?

Reconstituted NAD+ in BAC water is stable for up to 30 days at 2-8 C when protected from light. Do not freeze the reconstituted solution. If the solution darkens significantly from its initial clear-to-pale-yellow color, discard it.

What is a good starting dose for subcutaneous NAD+?

Most protocols start at 25-50 mg per injection to assess tolerance, then increase to 50-100 mg per session. Frequency ranges from 2 to 5 days per week depending on goals. Allow a day between sessions when starting out to observe how your body responds before increasing dose or frequency.

Can I stack NAD+ with other peptides in the same injection?

NAD+ is typically injected separately rather than mixed with peptides. Its high milligram dosing and pH can affect co-administered compounds. BPC-157, ipamorelin, and CJC-1295 are often used on the same protocol day but in separate injections at different sites.

How to Reconstitute NAD+: Step-by-Step Guide

NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is sold as a lyophilized powder that must be reconstituted with bacteriostatic water (BAC water) before subcutaneous or intravenous use. Unlike peptides that tolerate a wide concentration range, NAD+ is typically dosed in milligrams rather than micrograms, so getting the concentration right has a direct impact on injection volume and tolerability.

What You Need Before You Start

NAD+ vial (typically 100 mg, 250 mg, or 500 mg)
Bacteriostatic water (BAC water) for injection
Insulin syringes (0.5 mL or 1 mL, U100 scale) for subcutaneous use
Alcohol swabs
Refrigerator for storage (2-8 C)
Optional: slow IV drip setup if using intravenous route

Choosing the Right BAC Water Volume

The most common target concentration for subcutaneous NAD+ is 25-50 mg/mL, which keeps injection volumes manageable (1-4 mL per session) and reduces the sting that comes with concentrated solutions. For a 500 mg vial, adding 10 mL of BAC water gives 50 mg/mL; adding 20 mL gives 25 mg/mL.

For intravenous use, NAD+ is typically diluted further into 100-500 mL of normal saline, so the initial reconstitution concentration matters less. A common prep is 500 mg in 2 mL BAC water (250 mg/mL), then pulling the desired dose into the IV bag.

Safety note: NAD+ subcutaneous injections can cause a burning sensation at the injection site. Slow injection technique over 30-60 seconds reduces discomfort significantly. IV infusions must run slowly (over 1-4 hours) to prevent chest tightness, flushing, and nausea.

Step-by-Step Reconstitution

Wipe the stopper of both the NAD+ vial and BAC water vial with alcohol swabs. Allow to air dry.
Draw the desired BAC water volume into a syringe (e.g., 10 mL for a 500 mg vial targeting 50 mg/mL).
Insert the needle into the NAD+ vial at a 45-degree angle.
Slowly inject the BAC water against the inner glass wall, not directly onto the powder.
Gently swirl to dissolve. Do not shake. NAD+ dissolves quickly and the solution will be clear to slightly yellow.
Label the vial with date, total mg, volume added, and resulting concentration.
Refrigerate immediately. Use within 30 days.

Common Concentration Examples

Below are practical concentration targets for the most common vial sizes:

100 mg vial + 2 mL BAC water = 50 mg/mL (1 mL draws a 50 mg dose)
100 mg vial + 4 mL BAC water = 25 mg/mL (1 mL draws a 25 mg dose)
250 mg vial + 5 mL BAC water = 50 mg/mL
500 mg vial + 10 mL BAC water = 50 mg/mL
500 mg vial + 20 mL BAC water = 25 mg/mL (lower sting, larger volume)

Dosing Ranges and Injection Routes

Subcutaneous dosing typically ranges from 25 mg to 100 mg per injection, 2-5 days per week, depending on the protocol. Common starting doses are 25-50 mg to assess tolerance before increasing. Injection sites include the abdomen, outer thigh, and lower back.

Intravenous NAD+ is used at higher doses (250-1000 mg per session) and requires a clinical or supervised setting due to the rate-sensitive side effect profile. For self-administration, subcutaneous at 50-100 mg is the standard approach. Use the NAD+ calculator on PeptiTools to convert your dose to exact draw volume.

Storage and Shelf Life

Unreconstituted NAD+ powder keeps for 12-24 months when stored below 25 C, away from light. Once reconstituted, refrigerate at 2-8 C and use within 30 days. NAD+ is sensitive to freeze-thaw cycles: do not freeze the reconstituted solution. If the solution turns dark yellow or brown, discard it.

NAD+ Peptide PagePre-configured NAD+ calculator with subcutaneous dosing defaults and quick facts.

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Ipamorelin Peptide PageOften stacked with NAD+ for longevity protocols. Calculator included.

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Peptide Storage GuideHow to store reconstituted peptides and NAD+ to maximize shelf life.

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BPC-157 Reconstitution GuideReconstitution fundamentals that apply across all powder-based compounds.

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