Healing & Recovery Protocol
PACAP-38Complete Dosing & Administration Guide
Neuroprotective polypeptide with potent anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective properties discovered in 1989
Dose Range
5 pmol/kg/min-20 pmol/kg/minmg
Frequency
Once daily
Route
Intravenous infusion
Cycle Length
Ongoing/indefinite
Dosing
How much
do I take?
Timing
Best time to take
PACAP-38 is administered intravenously in a clinical setting. Timing is determined by your healthcare provider based on the treatment protocol and your medical needs.
With food?
IV administration of PACAP-38 is not dependent on meal timing. Your healthcare team will provide specific instructions regarding food and fluid intake around treatment sessions.
If stacking
PACAP-38 should be used as directed by your healthcare provider. If combining with other medications or supplements, discuss potential interactions with your provider. Avoid combining with compounds that have overlapping mechanisms unless specifically guided by a medical professional.
Adjusting Your Dose
Increase if
- +You've tolerated the current dose for the recommended period without significant side effects
- +Therapeutic goals haven't been met at the current dose level
- +Your healthcare provider recommends dose escalation based on your response
- +Lab work or clinical assessments support a higher dose
Decrease if
- -Side effects are bothersome or impacting daily life despite management strategies
- -You experience any signs of an adverse reaction
- -Lab results indicate the need for dose reduction
- -Your healthcare provider recommends a lower dose based on your response
Signs of right dose
- ✓Therapeutic goals being met with minimal side effects
- ✓Stable and consistent response to treatment
- ✓Lab values or clinical markers trending in the right direction
- ✓Good tolerance with manageable or absent side effects
Dosing Calculator
Calculate Your Exact Dose
Step 1: Peptide Weight
Find the weight printed on your peptide vial label
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The peptide weight is printed on the label
Look here!
The weight is on the label
Administration
How do I
use it?
Reconstitution
What you need
- •PACAP-38 vial (lyophilized powder or solution)
- •Bacteriostatic water or sterile sodium chloride for reconstitution
- •Alcohol swabs for cleaning vial tops and injection sites
- •Appropriately sized syringes with fine-gauge needles (27-30 gauge)
- •Sharps disposal container
Injection
Route
Subcutaneous injection (into the fatty tissue just under the skin)—allows for consistent absorption and can be self-administered at home after proper training
Best sites
- •Abdomen (stomach area)—at least 2 inches from the belly button, most popular choice for self-injection
- •Front of thighs—middle to upper portion of the outer leg
- •Back of upper arm—outer area (may need assistance from another person)
Technique
- 1.Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling supplies
- 2.Clean the injection site with an alcohol swab and let it air dry completely
- 3.Pinch a fold of skin at the chosen injection site
- 4.Insert the needle at a 45-90 degree angle (depending on needle length and body composition)
- 5.Inject the medication slowly and steadily over 5-10 seconds
- 6.Release the skin fold and remove the needle, applying gentle pressure with a clean swab
- 7.Rotate injection sites to prevent tissue irritation or lipodystrophy
- 8.Dispose of the needle safely in a sharps container—never recap or reuse needles
Storage
Signs of degradation
Sample Daily Schedule
Safety
Is it
safe?
Safety Profile
PACAP-38 shows good tolerability in Phase II trials for migraine and pain conditions with minimal serious adverse events at IV doses of 2-6 mcg/kg. Primary side effects are transient flushing and headache (10-15% of subjects), likely related to vasodilation. Cardiovascular effects include mild heart rate increase and blood pressure changes, monitored in clinical settings. No carcinogenicity or teratogenicity in animal models; limited long-term safety data in humans.
Preclinical neurophysiology using patch-clamp electrophysiology demonstrates PACAP's PAC1 receptor mechanism with dose-dependent CREB phosphorylation (Western blot) and PKA/PKC activation pathways. Clinical trials show increased pancreatic polypeptide secretion (measured via radioimmunoassay) and neuropeptide release markers. Migraine mechanism confirmed through calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) interaction studies showing complementary rather than overlapping pathways.
Common Side Effects
Experienced by some users
Flushing
Facial and truncal flushing due to vasodilation via VPAC receptor activation on vascular smooth muscle, common during IV infusion
Management: Transient and self-resolving; no treatment typically required
Tachycardia
Mild to moderate increase in heart rate during IV infusion as compensatory response to vasodilation
Management: Cardiovascular monitoring during infusion; reversible after completion
Gastrointestinal Effects
Occasional nausea and abdominal discomfort during or shortly after systemic administration
Management: Antiemetics as needed; effects typically transient
Transient Warmth Sensation
Sensation of warmth throughout the body during IV infusion due to systemic vasodilation
Management: Self-limiting during infusion; no treatment required
Less Common
- •Headache and Migraine Triggering
- •Hypotension
These typically resolve with continued use or dose adjustment.
Stop and Seek Help If
- ×Severe or worsening side effects that don't improve with dose adjustment or supportive care
- ×Signs of an allergic reaction—rash, hives, swelling, or difficulty breathing
- ×Your healthcare provider recommends discontinuation based on your clinical response
- ×Development of any new medical condition that may be contraindicated with PACAP-38
- ×Pregnancy or planning to become pregnant (unless specifically approved for use during pregnancy)
- ×Abnormal lab results or clinical markers that suggest adverse effects
PACAP-38 should only be started, adjusted, or discontinued under medical supervision. This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Never stop a prescribed treatment without consulting your healthcare provider first, as abrupt discontinuation may have consequences.
Interactions
With other peptides
- ✓Related peptide sharing VPAC receptor targets; combination studies elucidate receptor-specific contributions to neuroprotection
- ✓PACAP-38 upregulates BDNF expression; co-administration may enhance neurotrophic support in neurodegeneration models
- ✓PACAP-38 anti-apoptotic effects complement antioxidant strategies for synergistic neuroprotection
With medications
- !Triptans - PACAP-38 triggers migraine through cranial vasodilation; triptans target the same trigeminal pathway creating pharmacological conflict
- !Strong Vasodilators - Additive vasodilation through multiple pathways may cause dangerous hypotension
- !PAC1 Receptor Antagonists - Direct pharmacological antagonism blocks PACAP-38 primary neuroprotective mechanism
With supplements
- ✓Multivitamins - Generally safe to take alongside PACAP-38. Space doses apart if taking oral formulations to ensure optimal absorption.
- ✓Electrolyte supplements - Helpful if experiencing any GI side effects that could lead to dehydration. Safe to combine.
Want the Full Picture?
View the complete PACAP-38 research profile including mechanism of action, clinical studies, effectiveness timeline, and FAQ.
View Full PACAP-38 Profile