NAD+: Dosing Protocols
Dosing guidelines, reconstitution, and administration information
📌TL;DR
- •5 dosing protocols documented
- •Reconstitution instructions included
- •Storage: IV NAD+ solutions should be prepared fresh and used within 24 hours; lyophilized NAD+ powder stored at -20C protected from light and moisture; oral NR/NMN supplements stored at room temperature in airtight containers away from heat and light
Protocol Quick-Reference
Anti-aging, cellular energy support, neuroprotection, and metabolic health research
Dosing
Amount
250-750 mg per IV session; 300-1000 mg daily for oral precursors (NR/NMN)
Frequency
1-2x weekly IV (loading), monthly (maintenance); daily oral
Duration
4-8 week loading phase IV; ongoing for oral precursors
Administration
Route
IVSchedule
1-2 times weekly during loading; monthly maintenance; daily for oral precursors
Timing
IV sessions require 2-8 hours in clinical setting; oral NR/NMN typically taken in the morning
Cycle
Duration
4-8 weeks IV loading; ongoing for oral supplementation
Repeatable
Yes
Preparation & Storage
Diluent: Normal saline (0.9% NaCl) 250-500 mL for IV
Storage: Lyophilized powder at -20C; reconstituted solution use within 24 hours
⚗️ Suggested Bloodwork (5 tests)
CMP with liver enzymes (AST, ALT)
When: Baseline
Why: Baseline hepatic function assessment
CBC with differential
When: Baseline
Why: Baseline hematologic assessment
Fasting glucose and insulin
When: Baseline
Why: Baseline metabolic assessment
Liver enzymes (AST, ALT)
When: 4-6 weeks
Why: Monitor hepatic function during supplementation
NAD+ metabolite panel (if available)
When: 4-8 weeks
Why: Assess NAD+ response to supplementation
💡 Key Considerations
- →IV infusion rate determines tolerability; start slow (1-2 mg/min) and titrate
- →Oral precursors (NR, NMN) bypass the poor oral bioavailability of intact NAD+
- →Contraindication: Avoid during active cancer treatment, particularly with PARP inhibitors
- →Ensure adequate hydration before and during IV sessions
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| Purpose | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-aging and general wellness (IV NAD+) | 250-500 mg per session | 1-2 times per week during loading; monthly for maintenance | Loading phase 4-8 sessions; maintenance ongoing | Infused over 2-4 hours; rate titrated to patient tolerance; nausea and flushing are rate-dependent |
| Neurodegenerative disease research (IV NAD+) | 500-1000 mg per session | Daily for 7-10 days during intensive protocols | 7-10 day intensive courses; repeat as indicated | Higher doses used in addiction and neurology protocols; longer infusion times (4-8 hours) reduce side effects |
| General NAD+ augmentation (oral NR) | 300-1000 mg daily | Once or twice daily | 8-12 weeks studied in clinical trials; ongoing use reported | Dose-dependent blood NAD+ elevation demonstrated in RCTs; 300 mg/day has GRAS status |
| General NAD+ augmentation (oral NMN) | 250-1000 mg daily | Once daily (morning) | 4-12 weeks in clinical trials | Emerging human RCT data support NAD+ elevation; optimal dose not yet established through dose-finding studies |
| Anti-aging supplementation (sublingual NAD+) | 50-200 mg daily | Once or twice daily | Ongoing | Limited pharmacokinetic data in humans; sublingual route avoids GI degradation but absorption efficiency is unclear |
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💉Reconstitution Instructions
IV NAD+ should be diluted in 250-500 mL normal saline and administered via slow IV infusion over 2-8 hours depending on dose and patient tolerance
Recommended Injection Sites
- ✓Antecubital vein (IV infusion)
- ✓Any peripheral IV access site
🧊Storage Requirements
IV NAD+ solutions should be prepared fresh and used within 24 hours; lyophilized NAD+ powder stored at -20C protected from light and moisture; oral NR/NMN supplements stored at room temperature in airtight containers away from heat and light
Community Dosing Protocols
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Before You Begin
Review safety warnings and contraindications before starting any protocol.
Research Dosing Disclaimer#
The dosing information below is derived from research studies, clinical protocols, and published clinical trial data. NAD+ IV therapy is not FDA-approved for any indication. Oral precursors NR and NMN are marketed as dietary supplements in the United States. No official dosing guidelines exist for NAD+ therapy.
IV NAD+ Protocols#
IV NAD+ infusion is the most direct method of raising systemic NAD+ levels and is used in anti-aging clinics and addiction medicine settings. Dosing protocols vary by indication.
Standard anti-aging protocol
- Dose: 250-500 mg NAD+ per session
- Infusion rate: Start at 1-2 mg/min, titrate up based on tolerance; typical infusions take 2-4 hours
- Frequency: 2 sessions per week during a 2-4 week loading phase; transition to monthly maintenance
- Side effect management: Nausea and flushing are rate-dependent; slowing the infusion typically resolves symptoms
Intensive neurological/addiction protocol
- Dose: 500-1000 mg NAD+ per session
- Infusion rate: Slow infusion over 4-8 hours to minimize adverse effects at higher doses
- Frequency: Daily for 7-10 consecutive days
- Notes: Used in addiction medicine for alcohol and opioid use disorders; preliminary evidence only; requires clinical supervision
Oral Precursor Dosing#
Nicotinamide riboside (NR)
- Standard dose: 300 mg/day (GRAS-approved dose)
- Research doses: 500-1000 mg/day in clinical trials
- Maximum studied: 2000 mg/day (short-term tolerability demonstrated)
- Administration: Once or twice daily with or without food
- Onset: Blood NAD+ elevation detectable within days; peak effects at 2-4 weeks
- Duration: Clinical trials typically 8-12 weeks; many users report ongoing daily supplementation
Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
- Standard dose: 250-500 mg/day
- Research doses: Up to 1250 mg/day in clinical trials
- Administration: Once daily, typically in the morning
- Onset: NAD+ metabolite changes detectable within hours; steady-state effects at 2-4 weeks
- Duration: Clinical trials typically 4-12 weeks
Sublingual NAD+#
- Dose: 50-200 mg daily in sublingual tablet or lozenge form
- Administration: Dissolved under the tongue; held for 30-60 seconds before swallowing
- Rationale: Bypasses GI degradation and first-pass hepatic metabolism
- Evidence: Limited pharmacokinetic data in humans; theoretical advantage over oral NAD+ but less characterized than oral NR/NMN
Dose-Response Data#
Oral NR dose-response in humans
- A dose-escalation study tested NR at 100, 300, and 1000 mg/day in healthy volunteers. All doses raised blood NAD+ metabolites in a dose-dependent manner, with 1000 mg/day producing the greatest increases in whole blood NAD+ (approximately 90% increase from baseline at steady state).
Oral NMN dose-response in humans
- Clinical trials have tested NMN at 250, 600, 900, and 1250 mg/day. NAD+ metabolite increases appear dose-dependent, though the dose-response relationship has not been as thoroughly characterized as for NR.
IV NAD+ dose-response
- Formal dose-finding studies for IV NAD+ have not been published. Clinical protocols are based on empirical experience and tolerability rather than controlled dose-response data.
Administration Routes Comparison#
| Route | Compound | Dose range | Bioavailability | Onset | Practical considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV infusion | NAD+ | 250-1000 mg/session | 100% | Immediate | Requires clinical setting; 2-8 hour infusions; rate-dependent side effects |
| Oral | NR | 300-1000 mg/day | Moderate | Days to weeks | Convenient; well-studied; GRAS at 300 mg/day |
| Oral | NMN | 250-1000 mg/day | Moderate | Days to weeks | Convenient; emerging clinical data |
| Sublingual | NAD+ | 50-200 mg/day | Unknown | Unknown | Avoids GI degradation; limited PK data |
| Intranasal | NAD+ | Under investigation | Unknown | Unknown | Very limited data |
Human-Equivalent Dosing#
For oral precursors, human clinical trial doses are used directly. Animal-to-human scaling is relevant primarily for preclinical studies:
- Mouse NMN studies (e.g., 300-500 mg/kg/day in mice) translate to approximately 24-40 mg/kg/day in humans using BSA scaling (Km mouse/Km human = 3/37), or approximately 1700-2800 mg/day for a 70 kg adult. Current human trial doses (250-1250 mg/day) are below these allometric translations, suggesting room for higher doses pending safety data.
Evidence Gaps#
- No formal dose-finding (Phase I/II dose-escalation) studies for IV NAD+ have been published
- Optimal dose and duration for specific indications (neurodegeneration, addiction, metabolic disease) are unknown
- Head-to-head comparisons of IV NAD+ vs oral NR vs oral NMN for tissue NAD+ elevation in humans have not been conducted
- Sublingual and intranasal pharmacokinetics in humans are poorly characterized
- Long-term dosing safety beyond 12 weeks is limited for all routes
Related Reading#
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Frequently Asked Questions About NAD+
What is the recommended dose of NAD+?
Research protocols for NAD+ typically use 250-500 mg per session administered 1-2 times per week during loading; monthly for maintenance for Loading phase 4-8 sessions; maintenance ongoing. Infused over 2-4 hours; rate titrated to patient tolerance; nausea and flushing are rate-dependent. Alternative protocols may use different doses depending on the research objective. No FDA-approved human dosing exists.
How is NAD+ administered?
NAD+ is typically administered via the following routes: Antecubital vein (IV infusion), Any peripheral IV access site. The choice of administration site may depend on the research protocol and study objectives. Always follow established research protocols.
How long is a typical NAD+ cycle?
Typical research protocols for NAD+ use a cycle duration of 4-8 weeks IV loading; ongoing for oral supplementation. Cycles may be repeated based on research objectives.
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Medical Disclaimer
This website is for educational and informational purposes only. The information provided is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before using any peptide or supplement.