Step-by-step guide
How to use peptides
Sold strictly for laboratory research. Not for human or veterinary use. Always follow the specific documentation supplied with your device. This page does not recommend a starting dose — refer to published research and manufacturer material for your compound.
Choose your device
Pre-filled pens — dial clicks to set the dose.
Depth
Technique, sterile handling, and what to do when something goes wrong.
Start conservative
Most reactions come from starting too high, too fast. There is no universal starting dose — every peptide, every subject, and every published protocol is different.
Start at the lowest dose reported in the published research for that specific compound, or lower.
- • Appetite & satiety
- • Nausea / GI response
- • Fatigue & sleep
- • Heart rate
- • Digestion tolerance
Injection procedure
Subcutaneous, into the fatty layer just under the skin.
Common injection areas
General process
Pen — how many clicks
A standard 3 mL pen contains about 300 clicks total. 1 click = 0.01 mL. Most pens dial up to 60 units in one dose. Smaller 1 mL and 2 mL pens use the same maths but with fewer total clicks.
| Pen strength | 1 click | 1 mg dose | 2 mg dose | 3 mg dose | 4 mg dose | 5 mg dose |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 mg / 3 ml | 0.03 mg | 30 clicks | 60 clicks | 90 clicks | 120 clicks | 150 clicks |
| 20 mg / 3 ml | 0.07 mg | 15 clicks | 30 clicks | 45 clicks | 60 clicks | 75 clicks |
| 30 mg / 3 ml | 0.10 mg | 10 clicks | 20 clicks | 30 clicks | 40 clicks | 50 clicks |
| 40 mg / 3 ml | 0.13 mg | 7.5 clicks | 15 clicks | 22.5 clicks | 30 clicks | 37.5 clicks |
| 50 mg / 3 ml | 0.17 mg | 6 clicks | 12 clicks | 18 clicks | 24 clicks | 30 clicks |
Example: a 40 mg / 3 mL pen at a 1 mg dose = 7.5 clicks. Always confirm with your pen's documentation.
1 ml pen (100 clicks total)
| Pen strength | 1 click | 1 mg dose | 2 mg dose | 3 mg dose | 4 mg dose | 5 mg dose |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 mg / 1 ml | 0.10 mg | 10 clicks | 20 clicks | 30 clicks | 40 clicks | 50 clicks |
| 20 mg / 1 ml | 0.20 mg | 5 clicks | 10 clicks | 15 clicks | 20 clicks | 25 clicks |
| 30 mg / 1 ml | 0.30 mg | 3.3 clicks | 6.7 clicks | 10 clicks | 13.3 clicks | 16.7 clicks |
| 40 mg / 1 ml | 0.40 mg | 2.5 clicks | 5 clicks | 7.5 clicks | 10 clicks | 12.5 clicks |
| 50 mg / 1 ml | 0.50 mg | 2 clicks | 4 clicks | 6 clicks | 8 clicks | 10 clicks |
2 ml pen (200 clicks total)
| Pen strength | 1 click | 1 mg dose | 2 mg dose | 3 mg dose | 4 mg dose | 5 mg dose |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 mg / 2 ml | 0.05 mg | 20 clicks | 40 clicks | 60 clicks | 80 clicks | 100 clicks |
| 20 mg / 2 ml | 0.10 mg | 10 clicks | 20 clicks | 30 clicks | 40 clicks | 50 clicks |
| 30 mg / 2 ml | 0.15 mg | 6.7 clicks | 13.3 clicks | 20 clicks | 26.7 clicks | 33.3 clicks |
| 40 mg / 2 ml | 0.20 mg | 5 clicks | 10 clicks | 15 clicks | 20 clicks | 25 clicks |
| 50 mg / 2 ml | 0.25 mg | 4 clicks | 8 clicks | 12 clicks | 16 clicks | 20 clicks |
Keep it clean
Most reactions come from dirty surfaces, dirty hands, or skipping basics.
20 seconds, soap and water.
70% isopropyl alcohol, air dry.
Fresh alcohol swab. Let dry fully.
One outward swipe. Air dry, no blowing.
Dull needles cause lumps and infection.
Drop straight in. Never re-cap.
Keep food simple
GLP-1 type compounds slow digestion. Heavy meals make side effects much worse.
- ✕ Greasy foods
- ✕ Very large meals
- ✕ Fried foods
- ✕ Heavy sugar
- ✕ Alcohol
- ✕ Oily foods
- ✓ Protein
- ✓ Smaller meals
- ✓ Water
- ✓ Strength training
- ✓ Electrolytes
- ✓ Sleep
Missed dose & red flags
Know what to do when life happens — and what should make you stop immediately.
- ✓ Within 4 days of scheduled day, take it as soon as you remember, then resume your weekly schedule.
- ✓ More than 4 days late — skip it and take the next dose on your normal day.
- ✕ Never double-dose to "catch up". This is the #1 cause of severe nausea.
- ✓ Inject the same day each week (most people pick a quiet morning).
- Severe upper abdominal pain that radiates to your back (possible pancreatitis).
- Persistent vomiting, dehydration, or inability to keep fluids down.
- Swelling of face, lips, or throat, hives, or difficulty breathing.
- Vision changes, sudden severe headache, or yellowing of skin / eyes.
- Lump in the neck or hoarseness that does not go away.
Final rule
Do not treat peptides like magic. Treat them like a system.
CONSISTENCY + PATIENCE + DISCIPLINE = RESULTS
Listen to your body. Go slow. Stay consistent. The best results come from being smart, not fast.
Build your own plan →References
Frid AH et al. Mayo Clin Proc. 2016. WHO Best Practices for Injections, 2010. Jastreboff AM et al. Retatrutide phase 2 trial. NEJM. 2023. Defer to manufacturer documentation supplied with your device.