GHK-Cu Dosing & Administration Protocol

Materials Required

To reconstitute lyophilized GHK-Cu powder for subcutaneous injection, you will need: bacteriostatic water (BAC water, not sterile water — BAC water contains benzyl alcohol preservative to extend shelf life), insulin syringes (29–31G, 0.3–1 mL), alcohol swabs, and the lyophilized GHK-Cu vial. Verify the vial is sealed and the powder is white/off-white and dry before proceeding.

Reconstitution Steps

1. Swab the rubber stopper of the GHK-Cu vial and the BAC water vial with an alcohol swab. Allow to dry for 10 seconds.
2. Draw the desired volume of BAC water into your syringe. For a 5 mg vial, draw 2 mL of BAC water to achieve a concentration of 2.5 mg/mL (2,500 mcg/mL).
3. Inject the BAC water slowly into the GHK-Cu vial by directing the stream down the side of the glass (not onto the powder directly), to minimize foaming.
4. Gently swirl — do not shake — until the powder is fully dissolved. The solution should be clear to slightly blue-tinted (the copper chelate gives it a faint color).
5. Label the vial with the date of reconstitution. Store refrigerated (2–8°C). Use within 28 days.

Dosing Calculations (2.5 mg/mL stock)

100 mcg dose = 0.04 mL = 4 units on a U-100 insulin syringe
200 mcg dose = 0.08 mL = 8 units on a U-100 insulin syringe
300 mcg dose = 0.12 mL = 12 units on a U-100 insulin syringe
500 mcg dose = 0.20 mL = 20 units on a U-100 insulin syringe

If using a different vial size or BAC water volume, adjust accordingly: concentration (mcg/mL) = (vial mass in mcg) ÷ (BAC water volume in mL).

Injection Technique

Subcutaneous injection sites include the abdomen (2 inches from the navel), outer thigh, and upper arm. Pinch the skin, insert the needle at a 45–90° angle, inject slowly, and withdraw. Rotate injection sites to avoid localized tissue irritation. GHK-Cu is generally well tolerated subcutaneously with minimal injection site reactions reported.