Your body's master antioxidant — a tiny three-part protein that shields your cells and helps clear out toxins.
Written by Michael Carroll — Owner, Director of Research · Reviewed by the Peptide Initiative Research Team
Subcutaneous
Route
4 recommended
Sites
Once daily by mouth; IV and inhaled protocols are typically given 1–3 times per week
Frequency
Preparation
Oral capsules or liposomal liquid need no mixing
For injectable/IV vials (clinic use): bacteriostatic water or sterile saline
Alcohol swabs
Appropriate syringe
Pro tip
Prepare all supplies on a clean surface before you begin. Having everything ready makes the process smoother and more sterile.
Mixing
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Gather all supplies on a clean, flat surface.
Remove the plastic cap from the peptide vial and wipe the rubber stopper with an alcohol swab. Let it air dry.
Draw the appropriate amount of bacteriostatic water into a sterile syringe.
Insert the needle into the vial at an angle, aiming at the inside wall of the vial. Slowly push the plunger to let the water trickle down the glass wall -- do NOT squirt directly onto the powder.
Once all water is added, gently swirl the vial in a slow circular motion. Never shake the vial, as this can damage the peptide bonds.
Continue swirling until the powder is completely dissolved and the solution is clear. If particles remain, let the vial sit for a few minutes and swirl again.
Label the vial with the date of reconstitution, the peptide name, and the concentration (e.g. 250mcg per 0.1mL).
Example calculation
Oral forms come ready to use — no reconstitution needed. For a clinic IV vial supplied as a powder, a pharmacist or clinician reconstitutes it per the product label; this is not a home procedure.
Dose calculation
For oral use, simply take the labeled number of capsules to reach your target (for example, two 500 mg capsules for a 1,000 mg dose). Injectable dosing is calculated and administered by a healthcare professional.
Pro tip
Always add the bacteriostatic water slowly, letting it run down the side of the vial. Never shake the vial -- swirl gently to avoid damaging the peptide.
Location
Site 01
Abdomen
Pinch the skin 2 inches from navel. Avoid the area directly around the belly button. Rotate between left and right sides.
Site 02
Upper Arm
Back or outer area of the upper arm. This site may require assistance from another person for proper technique.
Site 03
Intranasal: into a nostril
Follow your provider's instructions for this injection site. Rotate sites regularly to prevent tissue damage.
Site 04
Outer Thigh
Middle third of the outer thigh. Keep at least 4 inches above the knee and below the hip. Alternate legs each injection.
Rotate between 4 sites to prevent tissue buildup and ensure consistent absorption.
Pro tip
Rotate your injection sites with each dose to prevent lipohypertrophy (buildup of fatty tissue). Keep a simple log of where you last injected.
Step by step
IV and IM routes should be performed by a trained healthcare professional
For intranasal, follow the compounded product's spray instructions
Always use sterile, single-use supplies
Never attempt IV dosing at home
Pro tip
This peptide uses subcutaneous injection is the most common self-administered route in practice. clinical studies also used intravenous (iv) infusion [1] and intranasal spray [3]; intramuscular injection is used in some clinics.. Inject at a 45-90 degree angle into pinched skin. Aspirate before injecting to ensure you haven't hit a blood vessel.
Timing
Optimal timing
Best time
Oral glutathione is commonly taken in the morning. Some people split it or take it on an empty stomach, though trials simply used daily dosing [2].
With food?
Can be taken with or without food. An empty stomach may slightly reduce competition from dietary proteins, but consistency matters more than timing.
Stacking notes
Often paired with vitamin C, N-acetylcysteine (NAC, a cysteine source the body uses to build glutathione), alpha-lipoic acid, or selenium, which support the glutathione recycling system.
Dosing tiers
Dose
100 mg per injection
Frequency
2–3 times per week
Duration
Ongoing, as directed
Delivered under the skin, bypassing gut breakdown like the intramuscular route shown effective in a controlled trial (600 mg IM every other day) [7]. Subcutaneous-specific dosing is drawn from clinical practice rather than published trials, so start at the lower end to gauge tolerance. Most protocols use a 0.5–1 mL injection volume.
Dose
200 mg per injection (up to ~600 mg per week total)
Frequency
2–3 times per week
Duration
Ongoing, as directed
The most common subcutaneous range used in practice. It mirrors the systemic delivery of the controlled intramuscular protocol [7]; subcutaneous-specific numbers come from clinical use rather than trials. Rotate injection sites (abdomen, thigh) and use sterile, single-use supplies.
Dose
250 mg per day
Frequency
Once daily
Duration
Up to 6 months
The lower dose from the 6-month oral trial in 54 healthy adults; it raised glutathione stores roughly 17-29% in blood versus baseline, and levels returned to baseline within a month of stopping [2].
Dose
1,000 mg per day
Frequency
Once daily
Duration
Up to 6 months
The higher dose in the same 54-person trial raised blood glutathione about 30-35% versus baseline and more than doubled natural-killer immune-cell activity versus placebo by 3 months [2]. In a separate 12-person pilot with no placebo arm, liposomal glutathione at 500-1,000 mg per day raised whole-blood glutathione up to 40% versus baseline within 2 weeks [12].
Dose
1,400 mg per infusion
Frequency
3 times per week
Duration
4 weeks (as studied)
Clinic-administered. In the 4-week Parkinson's trial (21 people: 11 on IV glutathione 1,400 mg three times weekly, 10 on placebo), reported adverse events were similar in the two groups, no one withdrew because of them, and the treatment did not show a statistically significant benefit over placebo on symptom scores [1]. Must be given by a healthcare professional.
Dose
100-200 mg per dose
Frequency
3 times daily (as studied)
Duration
Up to 3 months (as studied)
Trial dosing in Parkinson's: 100 or 200 mg three times daily for 3 months in 45 people — symptoms improved in every group including placebo, neither dose beat placebo, and one of the 15 people in the 200 mg arm developed cardiomyopathy [10]. An earlier 30-person trial of 300-600 mg per day divided found adverse events no more frequent than placebo [9]. A single 200 mg dose raised brain glutathione in 15 people (about a 269% rise in the glutathione-to-creatine signal at 45 minutes versus baseline) [3]. Uses a compounded nasal spray; trial samples lost potency to 72-81% of label within 4-6 weeks [3].
Dose
600 mg per injection
Frequency
Every other day
Duration
2 months (as studied)
This is the dose used in a placebo-controlled, double-blind trial, where 600 mg intramuscular every other day for 2 months improved sperm motility and structure [7]. Given by a healthcare professional or trained self-injector.
Dose
2% oxidized glutathione (GSSG) lotion
Frequency
Twice daily
Duration
10 weeks (as studied)
Applied to the skin, not injected. In a placebo-controlled trial, a 2% oxidized-glutathione lotion twice daily for 10 weeks lightened skin tone and improved the skin barrier [8]. Topical use acts locally on the skin and does not meaningfully raise whole-body glutathione.
Preservation
Before mixing
Keep oral capsules and powders in a cool, dry place away from light and humidity. Liposomal liquids often need refrigeration — follow the label. Glutathione's sulfur group is sensitive to air and moisture.
After mixing
Once a clinic vial is mixed or a liquid is opened, refrigerate and use within the timeframe on the label. Do not freeze unless directed.
Signs of degradation
Discard the vial immediately if you notice any of these:
A stronger sulfur/rotten-egg smell
Color change or cloudiness in liquids
Clumping or discoloration of powder
Important
When to stop
Any wheezing, cough or chest tightness with inhaled forms
Signs of an allergic reaction (rash, swelling, trouble breathing)
Persistent stomach upset that does not settle with a lower dose
Your doctor advises stopping before a procedure or new treatment
This information is educational and not medical advice. Glutathione is not an FDA-approved drug. Talk with a qualified healthcare provider before starting, especially if you have asthma, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or take other medicines.
Clean technique checklist
Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling supplies
Swab vial tops and injection site with alcohol and let dry
Never touch the needle tip or allow it to contact non-sterile surfaces
Use a new syringe and needle for each injection
Dispose of used sharps in a proper sharps container
Store reconstituted peptides according to the storage instructions above