VIP Dosing Calculator
VIP: Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide guide.
Pre-filled with the most-reported community reconstitution protocol for VIP. 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 mg vial of VIP reconstituted with 1 mL of bacteriostatic water yields a concentration of 2.50 mg/mL. At that concentration, a 50 mcg dose of VIP equals 2 units on a U-100 insulin syringe (0.020 mL). VIP is typically administered once daily via subcutaneous.
VIP 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 mg vial.
| BAC water added | Concentration | Volume per 50 mcg dose | Draw on U-100 syringe (units) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mL | 5.00 mg/mL | 0.010 mL | 1 units |
| 2 mL | 2.50 mg/mL | 0.020 mL | 2 units |
Calculate your VIP dose
Alternative VIP protocols
Beyond the default above, VIP is also reported in the following protocols. Use these as starting points and recalculate with the tool above.
CIRS/Mold Illness Nasal Spray Protocol
Community- Dose
- 50 mcg per spray (4-8 sprays daily)
- Frequency
- 4-8 times daily
- Duration
- 30+ days
- Route
- Intranasal
Final step in Dr. Shoemaker CIRS protocol; requires passing VCS and MARCoNS eradication first
Standard Nasal Spray Protocol
Community- Dose
- 50 mcg per spray
- Frequency
- 2 sprays twice daily (escalating)
- Duration
- 8-12 weeks
- Route
- Intranasal
Weeks 1-2 at 50 mcg twice daily, weeks 3-4 at 100 mcg twice daily, month 2+ at 200 mcg twice daily
IV infusion research protocol (acute respiratory failure)
Clinical- Dose
- 50-150 pmol/kg/min escalating infusion
- Frequency
- Continuous IV infusion over 12 hours
- Duration
- 3 consecutive days in clinical trial settings
Used in the ZYESAMI trial for COVID-19 respiratory failure. Dose escalation with continuous hemodynamic monitoring required. Aviptadil (synthetic VIP) was the formulation used.
Inhaled VIP for PAH research
Clinical- Dose
- 100-200 micrograms per inhalation
- Frequency
- Daily inhalation
- Duration
- Up to 3 months in open-label studies
Nebulized delivery targeting pulmonary vasculature. Designed to achieve local pulmonary effects while minimizing systemic vasodilation. Results from controlled trials were not confirmatory.
VIP reconstitution & storage
Reconstitute with bacteriostatic water. Add water slowly along vial wall. Do not shake. Use 1-2 mL per vial.
Lyophilized powder: Store at -20°C to 4°C. Reconstituted: Store at 2-8°C, use within 3-4 weeks. Protect from light.
VIP dosing FAQ
How much bacteriostatic water should I add to a 5 mg vial of VIP?
The community standard is 1 mL of bacteriostatic water for a 5 mg VIP vial. That gives a concentration of 2.50 mg/mL, so a 50 mcg dose is 2 units on a U-100 insulin syringe. Adding 1 mL instead doubles the concentration to 5.00 mg/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 mcg dose of VIP?
On a standard U-100 insulin syringe, a 50 mcg dose of VIP is 2 units when the 5 mg vial is reconstituted with 1 mL of bacteriostatic water (2.50 mg/mL). If you use 1 mL of bac water instead, draw 1 units (5.00 mg/mL).
What is the standard VIP dose?
Community-reported protocols for VIP typically use 50 mcg–100 mcg once daily via Subcutaneous. 50 mcg is a common starting dose. Less common route; some practitioners prefer SubQ for systemic effects beyond nasal/respiratory
How long does a vial of VIP last at 50 mcg once daily?
A 5 mg vial of VIP contains roughly 100 doses at 50 mcg per injection. At once daily dosing, that is approximately 100 days (about 14 weeks) of supply per vial. Reconstituted VIP should generally be used within 28 days when refrigerated.
Where do you inject VIP?
VIP is typically administered subcutaneous. Common subcutaneous sites are the lower abdomen (at least an inch from the navel), the outer thigh, and the love handles. Rotate sites with each injection to reduce localized irritation and bruising.
Can I use sterile water instead of bacteriostatic water for VIP?
Bacteriostatic water (containing 0.9% benzyl alcohol as a preservative) is strongly preferred for multi-dose vials like VIP 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 VIP
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.