EPO Dosing Calculator
EPO: FDA-approved hormone for anemia and red blood cell production.
Pre-filled with the most-reported community reconstitution protocol for EPO. See how 1 mL and 2 mL of bacteriostatic water change concentration and syringe-draw volume, then adjust the calculator below for your own vial.
Quick answer · Community-reported standard
A 5,000 IU vial of EPO reconstituted with 2 mL of bacteriostatic water yields a concentration of 2,500 IU/mL. At that concentration, a 50 IU dose of EPO equals 2 units on a U-100 insulin syringe (0.020 mL). EPO is typically administered every other day via subcutaneous or intravenous.
EPO reconstitution: 1 mL vs 2 mL bac water
Bacteriostatic water volume is flexible. Less water means higher concentration and smaller injection volumes; more water means lower concentration and easier dose precision. Both options below are valid for a 5,000 IU vial.
| BAC water added | Concentration | Volume per 50 IU dose | Draw on U-100 syringe (units) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mL | 5,000 IU/mL | 0.010 mL | 1 units |
| 2 mL | 2,500 IU/mL | 0.020 mL | 2 units |
Calculate your EPO dose
Alternative EPO protocols
Beyond the default above, EPO is also reported in the following protocols. Use these as starting points and recalculate with the tool above.
Performance Enhancement Protocol (Historical)
Community- Dose
- 4000-6000 IU per week (split into 2-3 doses)
- Frequency
- 2-3 times per week
- Duration
- 4-8 weeks
- Route
- Subcutaneous injection
Historical performance protocol discussed in anti-doping literature; associated with significant health risks
Microdose EPO Protocol (Historical)
Community- Dose
- 500-2000 IU per dose
- Frequency
- Every 2-3 days
- Duration
- Ongoing (low-dose maintenance)
- Route
- Subcutaneous injection
Lower-dose protocol discussed in cycling anti-doping investigations; designed to evade detection
CKD anemia (dialysis patients)
Clinical- Dose
- 50-100 units/kg three times weekly
- Frequency
- Three times weekly
- Duration
- Ongoing with dose adjustments
Adjust dose to maintain hemoglobin 10-11.5 g/dL; IV or SC administration
CKD anemia (non-dialysis patients)
Clinical- Dose
- 50-100 units/kg three times weekly
- Frequency
- Three times weekly or less
- Duration
- Ongoing with monitoring
Subcutaneous preferred; lower starting doses may be appropriate
Chemotherapy-induced anemia
Clinical- Dose
- 150 units/kg three times weekly or 40,000 units weekly
- Frequency
- Weekly or three times weekly
- Duration
- During chemotherapy course
Initiate when hemoglobin less than 10 g/dL; discontinue after chemotherapy
EPO reconstitution & storage
Epoetin alfa is supplied as a ready-to-use solution in single-dose vials. Do not shake. Do not dilute. Inspect visually for particulate matter before use. Multi-dose vials contain benzyl alcohol as preservative.
Store at 2-8C (36-46F). Do not freeze or shake. Protect from light. Single-dose vials should be used immediately once opened. Multi-dose vials may be stored at 2-8C for up to 21 days after initial entry.
EPO dosing FAQ
How much bacteriostatic water should I add to a 5,000 IU vial of EPO?
The community standard is 2 mL of bacteriostatic water for a 5,000 IU EPO vial. That gives a concentration of 2,500 IU/mL, so a 50 IU dose is 2 units on a U-100 insulin syringe. Adding 1 mL instead doubles the concentration to 5,000 IU/mL and halves the draw to 1 units. Less water = smaller injection volume but harder to measure precisely.
How many syringe units is a 50 IU dose of EPO?
On a standard U-100 insulin syringe, a 50 IU dose of EPO is 2 units when the 5,000 IU vial is reconstituted with 2 mL of bacteriostatic water (2,500 IU/mL). If you use 1 mL of bac water instead, draw 1 units (5,000 IU/mL).
What is the standard EPO dose?
Community-reported protocols for EPO typically use 50–300 IU every other day via Subcutaneous or intravenous. 50 IU is a common starting dose. FDA-approved protocol for CKD anemia; target hemoglobin 10-11 g/dL per FDA guidance
How long does a vial of EPO last at 50 IU every other day?
A 5,000 IU vial of EPO contains roughly 100 doses at 50 IU per injection. At every other day dosing, that is approximately 200 days (about 29 weeks) of supply per vial. Reconstituted EPO should generally be used within 28 days when refrigerated.
Where do you inject EPO?
EPO is typically injected subcutaneous or intravenous. Common sites reported in the literature and by users include: Subcutaneous (abdomen, thigh, upper arm), Intravenous (for dialysis patients via vascular access). Rotate sites with each injection to reduce localized irritation.
Can I use sterile water instead of bacteriostatic water for EPO?
Bacteriostatic water (containing 0.9% benzyl alcohol as a preservative) is strongly preferred for multi-dose vials like EPO because it inhibits microbial growth and lets a single vial be used over multiple weeks. Sterile water has no preservative and should generally be reserved for single-use preparations only.
More on EPO
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.