Crystagen (20mg Vial) Dosage Protocol
Khavinson immune short-peptide bioregulator (EDP) — research-only; not approved, benefits unproven.
Mix & measure Crystagen · 20 mg
Pre-filled with this protocol’s recommended BAC water and documented starting dose — edit any field to run your own numbers.
Reconstitution math only — not dosing advice. U-100 syringe: 100 units = 1 mL. Full reconstitution guide → · Advanced calculator →
Quickstart Highlights
Crystagen is a synthetic tripeptide bioregulator (Glu-Asp-Pro), the immune/thymic member of the Khavinson “cytogen” short-peptide family — one of the bioactive peptides identified in the bovine thymus extract Thymalin[1][5]. This educational page outlines a once-daily subcutaneous approach with a dilution chosen so doses land on easy-to-read insulin-syringe marks. It is an unapproved research chemical, not a medicine; its proposed immune effects are hypothesized from limited, largely preclinical work and are not established human pharmacology — presented for research and educational use only.
Add 3.0 mL bacteriostatic water to one 20 mg vial → ~6.67 mg/mL (6,667 mcg/mL), a practical dilution for accurate dosing.
1,000–2,000 mcg once daily, stepped up over the first weeks of a 12-week course (about ~14 mg per week at the maintenance dose).
At ~6.67 mg/mL, 1 unit ≈ 66.7 mcg; 1,000 mcg ≈ 15 units and 2,000 mcg ≈ 30 units on a U-100 syringe.
Lyophilized: store at −20 °C (−4 °F); once reconstituted, refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F) and do not freeze the solution.
Important: Start with the Prep & Injection Guide — it covers the preparation and safety basics every protocol on this site assumes.
Dosing & Reconstitution Guide
A single practical dilution with accurate once-daily dosing, step by step
Standard Titration Approach (3 mL = ~6.67 mg/mL)
Reconstitute: Add 3.0 mL bacteriostatic water to one 20 mg vial → final concentration ~6.67 mg/mL (6,667 mcg/mL).
Typical daily range: 1,000–2,000 mcg once daily, stepped up over the first weeks of a 12-week course.
Easy measuring: At ~6.67 mg/mL, 1 unit ≈ 66.7 mcg on a U-100 syringe. Compute units by dividing the dose in mcg by 66.7 (e.g. 2,000 mcg ÷ 66.7 ≈ 30 units).
Storage: Lyophilized: store at −20 °C (−4 °F); after reconstitution, refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F) and do not freeze the mixed solution.
Frequency: one subcutaneous injection each day, stepping up over the first two weeks to a 2,000 mcg maintenance dose. At maintenance the weekly total is roughly 14 mg, in line with schedules described in the originating research literature[3][4]. These figures come from preclinical/observational reference protocols, not from approved human dosing.
Reconstitution Steps
Draw 3.0 mL of bacteriostatic water into a sterile syringe.
Release it slowly down the vial’s inner wall to limit foaming.
Swirl or roll gently until fully dissolved — don’t shake.
Label with the date and concentration, then refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F), shielded from light.
The 3.0 mL dilution keeps each dose between 15 and 30 units, where U-100 syringe markings are easy to read. Avoid freezing the reconstituted solution, since freeze–thaw can denature the peptide.
Important: This guide is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. For research use only. Not for human consumption.
Supplies Needed
Quantities below assume a 12-week course of once-daily injections with the titration above.
A 20 mg vial covers roughly 1.5 weeks at the ~13–14 mg/week maintenance dose, so plan about 8 vials for a full 12-week course.
- 4 weeks: ~3 vials
- 8 weeks: ~6 vials
- 12 weeks: ~8 vials
- Per injection: 1 syringe
- 4 weeks (once daily): ~28 syringes
- 12 weeks (once daily): ~84 syringes
Use ~3.0 mL per 20 mg vial for reconstitution.
- Full 12-week course (~8 vials): ~24 mL → 3 bottles
- Per 20 mg vial: ~3 mL
One for the vial stopper + one for the injection site each day.
- Per injection: 2 swabs
- 12 weeks (once daily): ~168 swabs → 1–2 boxes
Protocol Overview
A concise summary of the once-daily regimen, drawn from commonly cited reference protocols.
- ▪Goal: Explore Crystagen’s proposed immune/thymic gene-expression activity as a Khavinson short-peptide bioregulator — effects are hypothesized from limited preclinical work, not established in humans[5][6].
- ▪Schedule: Daily subcutaneous injections for a 12-week course, with a two-week step-up to the maintenance dose.
- ▪Dose Range: 1,000–2,000 mcg per day after step-up, averaging about ~13–14 mg per week at maintenance.
- ▪Reconstitution: 3.0 mL bacteriostatic water per 20 mg vial gives ~6.67 mg/mL for accurate unit measurements.
- ▪Storage: Keep the dry vial frozen at −20 °C (−4 °F); once mixed, refrigerate at 2–8 °C and do not freeze the solution.
Dosing Protocol
A suggested daily titration approach based on common reference doses.
- ▪Start: Begin at 1,000 mcg once daily (Week 1) to gauge tolerability.
- ▪Titrate: Step up to 1,500 mcg in Week 2, then to the 2,000 mcg maintenance dose from Week 3 onward.
- ▪Target: Hold 2,000 mcg daily through Weeks 3–12.
- ▪Cycle Length: A single 12-week course, as described in the originating research literature.
- ▪Timing: Inject at a consistent time each day and rotate injection sites systematically.
Storage Instructions
Correct storage is what preserves the peptide’s stability and activity.
- ▪Lyophilized: Hold the dry vial at −20 °C (−4 °F) in dry, dark conditions and limit moisture exposure[7].
- ▪Reconstituted: Refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F) and use within about 28 days; do not freeze the mixed solution, as freezing can denature peptides[8].
- ▪Handling: Let frozen vials warm to room temperature before opening so condensation won’t form, and keep the solution clear of heat and direct light.
- ▪Freeze–thaw: Avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles of the reconstituted solution.
Important Notes
Practical points that keep daily administration safe and consistent.
- ▪Sterile technique: Use a fresh sterile U-100 insulin syringe each time and drop it straight into a puncture-proof sharps container afterward.
- ▪Site rotation: Move between abdomen, thighs and upper arms to reduce local irritation and lipohypertrophy[9].
- ▪Slow injection: Push the plunger slowly and pause a few seconds before withdrawing the needle to prevent backflow.
- ▪Recordkeeping: Log the daily dose, injection site and any observations to keep the protocol consistent.
- ▪Regulatory note: Crystagen is not FDA- or EMA-approved for human administration; it is not specifically named by WADA, but the S0 “non-approved substances” catch-all applies to peptides like it in sport[10].
How This Works
Crystagen is a synthetic tripeptide with the sequence Glu-Asp-Pro (EDP)[1][2]. It is the immune/thymic member of the Khavinson “cytogen” family of short-peptide bioregulators — one of the bioactive peptides originally identified in the bovine thymus extract Thymalin.
Its proposed mechanism, described by the originating Russian group, is that the peptide enters cells and influences gene expression and transcription factors in immune (thymic) tissue — a regulatory rather than hormonal action[5][6]. This mechanism is preclinical and hypothesized, not established human pharmacology.
Most of the supporting literature comes from the same originating group and is largely preclinical or observational[11]. The parent extract Thymalin holds a Russian registration, but that reflects a lower-rigor regulatory standard and does not equal FDA or EMA approval[12].
Important caveat: popular claims of immune “rejuvenation,” anti-aging, or thymic restoration are not established. They rest on limited preclinical and observational work, much of it from a single research lineage, and should be read as hypotheses rather than demonstrated human effects.
Crystagen is not an approved medicine. It is an unapproved research chemical presented here for research and educational purposes only.
Lifestyle Factors
General habits that support immune health alongside the protocol.
- ▪Nutrition: Eat a balanced, nutrient-dense diet with adequate protein to support normal immune function.
- ▪Activity & rest: Pair regular moderate activity with real recovery time; chronic overtraining can blunt immune function.
- ▪Sleep: Aim for 7–9 hours to support the body’s natural immune and repair processes.
- ▪Stress: Manage stress with evidence-based practices, since chronic stress influences immune regulation.
Potential Benefits & Side Effects
What preclinical and veterinary literature describe; human evidence is limited and individual results vary.
Potential Benefits
- ▪Immune modulation (preclinical): The originating group reports effects on immune gene expression and thymic-cell activity in laboratory and animal models[5][6].
- ▪Bioregulator hypothesis (preclinical): Khavinson short peptides are proposed to act as tissue-specific gene regulators, but this remains a hypothesis from limited data[11].
- ▪Reported tolerability: Described as generally well tolerated in the limited available studies, with occasional mild injection-site reactions.
- ▪Note on humans: These effects are not established in humans — no rigorous large-scale clinical trials of Crystagen have been completed[13].
Common Side Effects
- ▪Injection-site reactions: Mild redness, tenderness or soreness can occur; rotating sites helps.
- ▪Unknown long-term profile: Human safety data is limited, so caution and monitoring are advised.
- ▪Sport restriction: Crystagen is not specifically named by WADA, but the S0 non-approved-substances catch-all applies to athletes.
Injection Technique
General subcutaneous technique, following established clinical best-practice guidance[14][15].
Pre-Injection Preparation
- ▪Wash your hands well with soap and water.
- ▪Wipe the vial stopper with an alcohol swab and let it air-dry.
- ▪Choose a site (abdomen, thigh, or upper arm) and clean it with a fresh alcohol swab, letting it dry fully[15].
- ▪Draw the intended dose, then check for air bubbles and push any out.
Injection Procedure
- ▪Pinch a skinfold at the chosen site between thumb and forefinger.
- ▪Insert the needle into the pinch at a 45–90-degree angle (use 45 degrees if the fat layer is thin)[14].
- ▪Skip aspiration for subcutaneous shots — it isn’t needed[14].
- ▪Press the plunger slowly and steadily until it’s fully down.
- ▪Wait 5–10 seconds, then pull the needle straight out to prevent leakage.
Post-Injection Care
- ▪Drop the used syringe straight into a puncture-proof sharps container — never recap a needle.
- ▪Return the reconstituted vial to the fridge right away.
- ▪Rotate the injection site each day to prevent irritation and lipohypertrophy[9].
- ▪Watch the site for excess redness, swelling, or signs of infection.
Recommended Source
Crystagen is a niche research peptide and is not always stocked. For high-purity research peptides generally, we point researchers to Prime Lab Peptides.
Why Prime Lab Peptides?
- ▪Top-rated on Trustpilot: Independently reviewed as the highest-rated peptide lab on Trustpilot — making it the best current source in the USA.
- ▪Third-party tested: Every batch ships with a Certificate of Analysis (COA) confirming purity and composition.
- ▪Consistent quality: ISO-aligned manufacturing and handling keep product integrity reliable batch to batch.
- ▪Cold-chain integrity: Temperature-controlled shipping and storage across the whole fulfilment chain.
- ▪Research-grade purity: Fit for educational and research use that demands high-quality peptides.
Note: Product availability and specifications subject to change. Verify current product details on supplier website.
References
- 1
Peptides / Khavinson Review (PubMed)Khavinson short peptides (cytogens): structure, including the Glu-Asp-Pro family and their proposed gene-regulatory activity.
- 2
Peptide Synthesis (PubMed)Synthesis and characterization of EDP (Glu-Asp-Pro) and related Khavinson tripeptide bioregulators.
- 3
WADA Scientific ResearchProposed peptide-bioregulator dosing schedules described in the originating Russian research literature.
- 4
Russian State Pharmacological RegistrationBackground on the Russian registration of the thymus extract Thymalin — a lower-rigor standard that is not equivalent to FDA/EMA approval.
- 5
Biogerontology (PubMed)Preclinical reports of Khavinson immune peptides affecting gene expression and thymic-cell activity.
- 6
Cell Cycle / Epigenetics (PubMed)Proposed transcription-factor/epigenetic mechanism for short-peptide bioregulators (preclinical).
- 7
Peptide Storage GuideBest practices for storing lyophilized peptides (temperature, humidity and light protection).
- 8
Bacteriostatic Water GuidanceBacteriostatic water for injection: multi-dose vial stability and handling.
- 9
NCBI BookshelfBest practices for subcutaneous injection: aseptic technique and site rotation.
- 10
WADA Prohibited ListWADA S0 “non-approved substances” category, which captures peptides not named elsewhere on the Prohibited List.
- 11
Biogerontology Review (PubMed)Reviews of Khavinson peptide bioregulators; evidence base is largely preclinical and observational.
- 12
Regulatory Background (PubMed)On the Russian registration of Thymalin and why national registration differs from FDA/EMA approval.
- 13
ClinicalTrials.govClinical-trial registry: no completed rigorous efficacy trials of Crystagen (Glu-Asp-Pro) in humans.
- 14
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Subcutaneous injection technique: angle, site and no-aspiration guidance.
- 15
Subcutaneous Injection Technique (Patient Education)How to administer a subcutaneous injection: clinical technique guidelines.
- 16
Prime Lab PeptidesResearch-peptide supplier — purity specifications and certificates of analysis (Crystagen not always stocked).
How to reconstitute Crystagen
- 1Wipe the vial stopper and your bacteriostatic-water vial with an alcohol swab.
- 2Draw your chosen amount of bacteriostatic water and inject it slowly down the inner wall of the Crystagen vial.
- 3Let it rest, then gently swirl until fully dissolved — do not shake.
- 4Refrigerate the reconstituted vial and draw each dose with a U-100 insulin syringe.
Crystagen — frequently asked questions
How do I reconstitute a 20 mg vial of Crystagen?
Wipe the stopper with an alcohol swab, then inject your bacteriostatic water slowly down the inside wall of the vial. Let it sit and gently swirl until dissolved — never shake. Store the mixed vial in the refrigerator and draw doses with an insulin syringe. Use the calculator above to turn any dose into syringe units.
How much bacteriostatic water should I add to Crystagen?
There is no single correct amount — more water simply spreads the same 20 mg of peptide across a larger volume, which makes small doses easier to measure accurately. 1 to 3 mL per vial is typical. Enter your chosen volume in the calculator above to see the resulting concentration and syringe units.
What do the "units" on an insulin syringe mean?
On a U-100 insulin syringe, 100 units equal 1 mL, so 1 unit equals 0.01 mL. The calculator above converts your draw volume into these units automatically so you can measure without doing the math by hand.
How should I store Crystagen after mixing?
Keep the reconstituted vial refrigerated at roughly 2 to 8 degrees Celsius, away from light, and avoid freezing it. Reconstituted research peptides are generally used within a few weeks. Always follow the specific guidance supplied with your product.
How many doses does a 20 mg vial of Crystagen provide?
Divide the vial strength of 20 mg by the amount you use per injection. The calculator above reports this as "doses per vial" the moment you enter a dose.
Is Crystagen approved for human use?
No. Crystagen is sold strictly for laboratory and research purposes and is not approved by the FDA or other regulators for human use. Everything on this page is research information, not medical advice — consult a licensed healthcare professional before any use.
New protocols & dosing updates
Reconstitution charts, new peptide protocols and safety updates — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.