GHK-Cu dosage
GHK-Cu is a copper-binding tripeptide found in blood and studied mostly in skin, where topical creams at 0.5 to 2% have real human data. The injectable form sold as a research peptide has none; the 1 to 2 mg a day under the skin that users report comes from forums, not trials. Vials are large (50 or 100 mg) because the doses are large. The reconstituted solution is blue, which is normal.
Basis: commonly reported. subcutaneous, 4 to 8 weeks on, 2 to 4 weeks off; some report every other day
- How often
- once daily (some every other day)
- When
- any time; evening is common because of injection site stinging
- How long
- 4 to 8 weeks on, 2 to 4 weeks off
- Route
- subcutaneous, abdomen; topical cream or serum for skin
- Storage
- lyophilized: fridge or freezer; reconstituted: fridge, commonly used within 4 weeks (commonly reported); topical products per the label
Dose ranges by source
| Range | Per | Basis | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mg to 2 mg | day | commonly reported | subcutaneous, 4 to 8 weeks on, 2 to 4 weeks off; some report every other day |
| 0.5% to 2% | application, 1 to 2 times daily | published study (Pickart and Margolina reviews of topical trials) | the only route with controlled human evidence |
Titration schedule
Step up on this schedule; stay a step longer if side effects are rough.
| Weeks | Dose |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1 mg daily |
| 2-8 | 1 to 2 mg daily |
GHK-Cu dose to units chart
50 mg vial + 2.5 mL bacteriostatic water = 20 mg/mL (200 mcg per unit on a U-100 insulin syringe). 50 mg + 2.5 mL = 20 mg/mL, so 1 mg = 0.05 mL = 5 units; 2 mg = 10 units. A 100 mg vial with 5 mL gives the same 20 mg/mL. The solution turns blue because of the copper.
| Dose | mL | Units (U-100) | Doses per vial |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mg | 0.05 | 5 | 50 |
| 1.25 mg | 0.063 | 6.3 | 40 |
| 1.5 mg | 0.075 | 7.5 | 33 |
| 1.75 mg | 0.088 | 8.8 | 28 |
| 2 mg | 0.1 | 10 | 25 |
Different vial or water? Full 50 mg + 2.5 mL table or set your own numbers below.
Commonly stacked with
Side effects
- injection site stinging, redness or small bruises
- temporary lightheadedness
- nausea at higher doses
- skin irritation with topical use
GHK-Cu dosage questions
How much GHK-Cu should I inject?
There is no established injectable human dose. The commonly reported range is 1 to 2 mg under the skin once a day for 4 to 8 weeks. On a 50 mg vial in 2.5 mL that is 5 to 10 units.
How do you reconstitute 50 mg of GHK-Cu?
Add 2.5 mL of bacteriostatic water for 20 mg/mL, then 1 mg is 5 units. With 2 mL you get 25 mg/mL and 1 mg is 4 units, which is hard to measure. The solution will be blue; that is the copper, not contamination.
Is GHK-Cu better injected or topical?
Topical is where the human evidence is: controlled trials of creams at 0.5 to 2% showed improvements in skin thickness and wrinkles. Injection has user reports and animal data only. For skin, start with a cream.
Why does GHK-Cu sting when injected?
The copper complex is irritating to tissue, and the doses are large in mass compared with other peptides. Users report less sting with more dilute reconstitution, slow injection and site rotation. Redness that lasts more than a day is a reason to stop.
Sources
- Pickart and Margolina, Int J Mol Sci 2018, Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data (PMID 29986520)
- Pickart and Margolina, Int J Mol Sci 2018, open access full text (PMC6073405)
- Peptide Protocol Wiki, GHK-Cu overview and protocol quick reference
Brands we recommend for GHK-Cu. We are independent and have no affiliation with any brand: no affiliate links, no referral codes, no paid placements. These are the suppliers whose testing and certificates hold up when we check them.
- Licensed Peptides two accredited labs on every lot, certificates public, card and Apple Pay checkout
- Core Peptides long track record, public certificates, wide catalog
- Ascension Peptides public third-party testing, clear pricing
This page is an educational summary of published labels, trials and commonly reported use. It is not medical advice and does not replace a clinician.