NAD+: Dosing Protocols
Dosing guidelines, reconstitution, and administration information
๐TL;DR
- โข5 dosing protocols documented
- โขReconstitution instructions included
- โขStorage: 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
โ๏ธ 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
๐ก Key Considerations
- โIV infusion rate determines tolerability; start slow (1-2 mg/min) and titrate
- โOral precursors (NR, NMN) bypass the poor oral bioavailability of intact NAD+
- โContraindication: Avoid during active cancer treatment, particularly with PARP inhibitors
- โEnsure adequate hydration before and during IV sessions
Unlock dosing protocols
Free access to research-backed dosing information for all peptides.
150+ peptide profiles ยท 30+ comparisons ยท 18 research tools
| 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 |
Unlock full dosage protocols
Free access to complete dosing tables and protocol details.
150+ peptide profiles ยท 30+ comparisons ยท 18 research tools
๐Reconstitution 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
- โAntecubital vein (IV infusion)
- โAny peripheral IV access site
๐งStorage 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
Compare these clinical doses with what 200+ community members report using.
Based on 200+ community reports
View community protocolsResearch Tools
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#
Subscribe to see vendor options
Free access to verified vendor scores, pricing, and suppliers.
150+ peptide profiles ยท 30+ comparisons ยท 18 research tools
Protocol updates
Get notified when we update dosing protocols or publish related comparisons.
Frequently Asked Questions About NAD+
Explore Further
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.