At a glance
A copper-binding tripeptide investigated in skin and tissue biology.
This profile separates the compound’s scientific background from specification-specific preparation and source schedules. Begin with the research findings and limitations, then select the formulation you want to examine.
How it works
Potential benefits & side effects
Interpret each outcome in the context of the study population, formulation and evidence type. Research findings do not establish a personal treatment outcome.
Potential benefits & research findings
Human topical and wound-care findings should be considered separately from laboratory work and injection schedules. A benefit observed with a topical product does not validate a systemic preparation.[6][7][8]
Read the original publications to see the measured endpoints, comparator, duration and uncertainty. Mechanistic plausibility and a favorable experimental result are different from demonstrated clinical benefit.
Side effects & evidence limitations
Interpret the reported adverse effects together with the study population, route and observation period. Small or short studies can miss uncommon and delayed harms. Evidence from a related compound does not establish the safety of GHK-Cu.
A comprehensive adverse-effect profile is not established by the source record. Consult the cited studies for what was measured and what remains uncertain.
Sources are available for independent reading. Individual claims and research schedules have not yet undergone an independent clinical review by Pep Science.
- Editorial responsibility
- Pep Science editorial desk
- Last independent review
- Not yet recorded
SPECIFICATIONS & SOURCE SCHEDULES
Explore a vial size
Select the exact formulation. Vial content, target dose and prepared concentration are different measurements.
Showing 100 mg · 2 source tables
Standard / Conservative Approach (3 mL = 33.33 mg/mL; 5 days/week)
| Week/Phase | Dose per Injection | Units (per injection) (mL) |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1-4 | 1.0 mg (1000 mcg) | 3 units (0.03 mL) |
| Weeks 5-8 | 1.5 mg (1500 mcg) | 4.5 units (0.045 mL) |
| Weeks 9-12+ | 2.0 mg (2000 mcg) | 6 units (0.06 mL) |
Frequency: Once daily, 5 days per week, progressing from 1.0 mg to 1.5 mg and then 2.0 mg as shown above. At 33.33 mg/mL, those doses equal 3, 4.5, and 6 U-100 units[18]. Use a U-100 syringe with markings that clearly display every value in the table.
Alternative Protocol (3 mL = 33.33 mg/mL; 3 times weekly)
| Week/Phase | Dose per Injection | Units (per injection) (mL) |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1-12+ | 2.0 mg (2000 mcg) | 6 units (0.06 mL) |
Frequency: 2.0 mg three times per week, such as Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. At 33.33 mg/mL, each injection equals 6 U-100 units (0.06 mL), for approximately 6 mg per week[18]. Important: This guide is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. For research use only. Not for human consumption.
Additional schedule context & duration
Concise summary of the GHK-Cu dosage protocol and 100 mg vial calculations.
- Goal: Present GHK-Cu research dosage, reconstitution, supplies, and measurement context in one consistent protocol.
- Schedule: The standard table uses 5 days per week; the alternative table uses 3 times per week.
- Amount Range: 1.0 to 2.0 mg per administration within the research protocol examples.
- Reconstitution: A final volume of 3.0 mL produces 33.33 mg/mL.
- Measurement: 1.0 mg equals 3 units, 1.5 mg equals 4.5 units, and 2.0 mg equals 6 units.
Research-use protocol examples with verified 100 mg vial conversions.
- Standard model: Weeks 1 to 4 use 1.0 mg or 3 units; weeks 5 to 8 use 1.5 mg or 4.5 units; weeks 9 to 12+ use 2.0 mg or 6 units.
- Alternative model: 2.0 mg or 6 units, three times per week.
- Route context: The tables present subcutaneous research-use calculations.
- Cycle context: The main table covers 8 to 12+ weeks, while the Supplies Needed section also provides totals through 16 weeks.
- Protocol source: These schedules reflect practice conventions summarized by a compounding source[18]. Published evidence is summarized lower on the page.
Preparation
Reconstitution Steps
- Draw 3.0 mL of the protocol-specified sterile diluent with a sterile syringe.
- Add it slowly down the vial wall to reduce foaming.
- Gently swirl or roll until dissolved. Do not shake.
- Label the vial with the 33.33 mg/mL concentration, preparation date, and storage instructions.
Storage Instructions
Storage requirements should match the exact GHK-Cu preparation.
- Dry material: Follow the vial and batch documentation for temperature, moisture, and light protection[13].
- Prepared solution: Stability depends on concentration, pH, diluent, sterility, container, preservatives, and temperature.
- Handling: Minimize unnecessary light, moisture exposure, and repeated freeze-thaw cycles[13][14].
- Recordkeeping: Record the preparation date, concentration, storage temperature, and applicable disposal date.
Injection Technique
General subcutaneous technique references are included for preparation and measurement context[15][16][17].
- Follow aseptic technique and use new sterile equipment for each administration.
- Use the protocol-specified site, angle, and device; the CDC job aid illustrates general subcutaneous technique[16].
- Rotate sites systematically and document each administration[15].
- Dispose of used sharps immediately in an appropriate container[17].
Materials & quantity planning
Source materials checklist · 100 mg
Plan based on an 8-16 week protocol. Calculations are shown for both the 5 days/week and 3 times/week schedules.
-
Peptide Vials (GHK-Cu, 100 mg each):
- 5 days/week (1.0-2.0 mg/day):
- 8 weeks (~50 mg total): 1 vial
- 12 weeks (~90 mg total): 1 vial
- 16 weeks (~130 mg total): 2 vials
- 3 times/week (2 mg each):
- 8 weeks (~48 mg total): 1 vial
- 12 weeks (~72 mg total): 1 vial
- 16 weeks (~96 mg total): 1 vial
-
Insulin Syringes (U-100, 29-31 gauge):
- 5 days/week:
- Per week: 5 syringes
- 8 weeks: 40 syringes
- 12 weeks: 60 syringes
- 16 weeks: 80 syringes
- 3 times/week:
- Per week: 3 syringes
- 8 weeks: 24 syringes
- 12 weeks: 36 syringes
- 16 weeks: 48 syringes
-
Sterile or Bacteriostatic Water (10 mL bottles): Use 3.0 mL per vial for the displayed calculation.
- 1 vial: 3 mL
- 2 vials: 6 mL
- 3 vials: 9 mL
-
Alcohol Swabs: Two administration swabs per injection: one for the vial stopper and one for the injection site.
- 5 days/week:
- Per week: 10 swabs
- 8 weeks: 80 swabs or 1 x 100-count box
- 12 weeks: 120 swabs or 2 x 100-count boxes
- 16 weeks: 160 swabs or 2 x 100-count boxes
- 3 times/week:
- Per week: 6 swabs
- 8 weeks: 48 swabs or 1 x 100-count box
- 12 weeks: 72 swabs or 1 x 100-count box
- 16 weeks: 96 swabs or 1 x 100-count box
Planning note: Peptide and water totals are arithmetic minimums based on the listed schedule. Follow the handling and discard limits for the exact products used.
Quantity estimates exclude preparation losses and expiry. Follow the formulation’s handling and disposal requirements.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
References & further reading
Original publications and source documents cited across this product’s variants. A listed source is not an independent endorsement of a dosing schedule.
- 01
Research publication
Mulder GD, et al. Wound Repair and Regeneration. Human diabetic-ulcer study of topical glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper. (opens in a new tab)pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Back to overview ↑ - 02
Research publication
Miller TR, et al. Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery. 2006. Topical copper tripeptide complex after carbon-dioxide laser resurfacing. (opens in a new tab)pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Back to overview ↑ - 05
Research publication
Hostynek JJ, et al. Inflammation Research. 2010. Final human-skin penetration paper for a GHK-Cu preparation. (opens in a new tab)pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Back to overview ↑ - 06
Research publication
Maquart FX, et al. Journal of Clinical Investigation. 1993. Local GHK-Cu exposure in a rat wound-chamber model. (opens in a new tab)pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Back to overview ↑ - 08
Research publication
Maquart FX, et al. 2000. GHK-related modulation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression. (opens in a new tab)pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Back to overview ↑ - 12
Public health resource
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 510(k) K953853. Iamin Gel topical wound-dressing device record. (opens in a new tab)www.accessdata.fda.gov
Back to overview ↑ - 13
Source document
GenScript. General peptide storage and handling guidance. (opens in a new tab)www.genscript.com
Back to overview ↑ - 14
- 16
Public health resource
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Current subcutaneous injection technique job aid. (opens in a new tab)www.cdc.gov
Back to overview ↑ - 17
Public health resource
World Health Organization, NCBI Bookshelf. Best practices for injections and related procedures. (opens in a new tab)www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Back to overview ↑
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Related topics are not interchangeable compounds or formulations.