Storage conditions for lyophilized peptides

[Lazarev]

Hello everyone,

First post here, been lurking for a long time and I'm finally getting started on a cycle. I work in pharma/medical devices so I'm very knowledgeable when it comes to most things related, including manufacturing, but peptides have me completely dumbfounded.

I see very varying opinions and data on how lyophilized peptides should be stored. And on top of that it depends on the peptide too. From what I understand HGH is decently stable lyophilized as long as the temp doesn't change too much and it's away from light/moisture. But considering it's UGL it obviously won't be as stable as pharma-grade so it's most likely less.

While I agree that obviously reconstituted peptides should be stored in the fridge and used short-term, for lyophilized, some say drawer is fine, most people recommend to store it in the freezer, but wouldn't that increase the risk of moisture getting in and degrading the peptide/forming aggregates ?

I have Retatrutide and HCG on hand, so I'm wondering how I should store it for the best effectiveness ? Even if they'll be used in a relatively short timespan (~3 months, not much into stocking up until I'm sure about everything related to safety/storage/usage/effectiveness etc)

If you have any data, research and such, fully open to discussing, learning and seeing what you have

Thanks a lot ! <3

 

[Ghoul]

You will never be sure about anything regarding UGL peptides.

Even lyophilized, one batch may be stable for months at room temperature, and the next degrades rapidly in a week due to excess residual moisture, lack of proper vacuum, presence or lack of a particular excipient.

This is on top of the huge variation in innate stability between peptides. What's the stability of food? Rolled oats vs fresh fish?



The best you can do in this situation is apply the generalities we know to apply to all peptides.

Reconstituted, the colder, without freezing, the better. Protected from light, Protected from unnecessary agitation. Reconstituted to the proper dilution, using pharma grade BAC. The more dilute the better.

Lyophilized. The major commercial (legit) peptide manufacturers advise -20c (in a non auto defrost lab freezer) for storage up to 6 months. -80c for long term storage.

If you're able to, a portable cooler style -86c cryofreezer can be had for around $900-1500, and will keep all peptides stable, for all practical purposes, indefinitely,

 

[brutalbuilt]

fridge

 

[AlexDavis43]

Hello everyone,

First post here, been lurking for a long time and I'm finally getting started on a cycle. I work in pharma/medical devices so I'm very knowledgeable when it comes to most things related, including manufacturing, but peptides have me completely dumbfounded.

I see very varying opinions and data on how lyophilized peptides should be stored. And on top of that it depends on the peptide too. From what I understand HGH is decently stable lyophilized as long as the temp doesn't change too much and it's away from light/moisture. But considering it's UGL it obviously won't be as stable as pharma-grade so it's most likely less.

While I agree that obviously reconstituted peptides should be stored in the fridge and used short-term, for lyophilized, some say drawer is fine, most people recommend to store it in the freezer, but wouldn't that increase the risk of moisture getting in and degrading the peptide/forming aggregates ?

I have Retatrutide and HCG on hand, so I'm wondering how I should store it for the best effectiveness ? Even if they'll be used in a relatively short timespan (~3 months, not much into stocking up until I'm sure about everything related to safety/storage/usage/effectiveness etc)

If you have any data, research and such, fully open to discussing, learning and seeing what you have

Thanks a lot ! <3

Welcome to Meso. Check out the New Member Introduction thread.

Also, store it in the fridge. And try the search bar. Stuff like this has been answered a million times.

 

[hellogre2]

Janoshik already said "I wouldnt worry about unreconstituted hgh degradatation if kept at room temp, no light up to multiple years"

ugl GH are kept in warehouse, probably at room temp, for multiple month/years before you end up injecting it, if room temp was degrading gh, we wouldve know already.

 

[Ghoul]

Janoshik already said "I wouldnt worry about unreconstituted hgh degradatation if kept at room temp, no light up to multiple years"

ugl GH are kept in warehouse, probably at room temp, for multiple month/years before you end up injecting it, if room temp was degrading gh, we wouldve know already.

He asked about peptides, generally.

Are you extrapolating Janoshik's statement to all peptides?

 

[hellogre2]

He asked about peptides, generally.

Are you extrapolating Janoshik's statement to all peptides?

No, I didn't write "all peptides", "GH" is the word I used.

I just thought it could be interesting to point the fact that a peptide that degrades very fast upon reconstitution without a fridge (can lose 50% of his potency upon 3 days with certains conditions) could be kept at room temp for years lyophilized.

The warehouse thing still applies to all peptides though. Anecdotally (without lab test so take it for what its worth), I have multiple peptides batch that are around 2 years old, kept at room temp/no light, and they work just as good as the first day (that includes a semaglutide batch).

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Meanwhile there is insulin which can be good in heat for a while.

People need to stop classifying peptides as a whole. They are unique drugs.

 

[Lazarev]

Hey everyone, thanks a lot for the answers !

Storing it in the fridge for now, as far as possible from the door and in a dark box. Considering I only have a household freezer (without auto-defrost) that sometimes acts up, I'd rather avoid my peptides going through too much temp variation. Might get a dedicated freezer just for my peptides if it's worth it and I end up buying in bulk. For now, with only 2 peptide kits that won't be stored long-term, it's mainly about ensuring they'll be fine for the few months before use.

Main reason why I created a new thread is that it heavily varies between compounds due to chain lengths and the amino acids composing them. Only one I'm fairly sure about storage is insulin. For the rest I see a lot of variable answers - some people swear by drawer storage, some by the fridge, others respect the freezer recommendations... So I'd rather get some science-based answers.
And considering retatrutide is fairly new, I don't see much data on it. Although the same storage conditions as other GLP-1s might apply.

 

[CharlesV]

has anyone bought a fridge or freezer specifically for their peptides? mini fridge? i’ve always kept mine in the kitchen LG fridge sealed from light. but im outgrowing it and will probably have to buy a mini fridge soon.

 

[AlexDavis43]

has anyone bought a fridge or freezer specifically for their peptides? mini fridge? i’ve always kept mine in the kitchen LG fridge sealed from light. but im outgrowing it and will probably have to buy a mini fridge soon.

Some guys getting carried away with -80C freezers that cost $1k. Maybe if you have 10 years worth of peptides??

Imo, if you're running out of space in your kitchen fridge and don't have more than a year or so worth of peptides, a mini fridge should suffice.

 

[Sampei]

has anyone bought a fridge or freezer specifically for their peptides? mini fridge? i’ve always kept mine in the kitchen LG fridge sealed from light. but im outgrowing it and will probably have to buy a mini fridge soon.

I have a mini fridge for my peptides. It's very handy and doesn't cost much at all.

 

[Lee_48]

has anyone bought a fridge or freezer specifically for their peptides? mini fridge? i’ve always kept mine in the kitchen LG fridge sealed from light. but im outgrowing it and will probably have to buy a mini fridge soon.

Mini fridge in the bedroom. Fits right on the nightstand next to the bed. Make it a lot easier for pre bed administration. The in-laws come over a lot, and know they are welcome to help themselves, this prevents any awkward conversation not being in the kitchen fridge.

Amazon.com

 

[CharlesV]

thanks! that’s what i needed to hear. the few times it’s been brought up, ive seen people recommend the $1000+ scientific fridges. just wondered if anyone really went that extreme, or just a basic $100-$300 mini fridge is working for folks in real life. i’ll just grab something that rates well that’ll blend in and maybe grab one of those wifi temp monitors.

 

[AlexDavis43]

thanks! that’s what i needed to hear. the few times it’s been brought up, ive seen people recommend the $1000+ scientific fridges. just wondered if anyone really went that extreme, or just a basic $100-$300 mini fridge is working for folks in real life. i’ll just grab something that rates well that’ll blend in and maybe grab one of those wifi temp monitors.

Funny you say that. I thought the one linked was pretty good looking. Retro.

 

[Ghoul]

thanks! that’s what i needed to hear. the few times it’s been brought up, ive seen people recommend the $1000+ scientific fridges. just wondered if anyone really went that extreme, or just a basic $100-$300 mini fridge is working for folks in real life. i’ll just grab something that rates well that’ll blend in and maybe grab one of those wifi temp monitors.

Framing the question of whether anyone goes to the "extreme" of -80c storage gives away the answer you're looking for.

It's not extreme, it's optimal. Whether you need or want optimal is a different matter. -80c storage will result in less degradation than -20c or 4c(refrigeration) temperature.

How much less? It's impossible to say, particularly with UGL peptides and their inconsistent formulations, different levels of residual moisture, whether vacuum is present or not, etc. But in all cases, -80c will result in less degradation than higher temps.

Time is the most important consideration, and that's exactly why the companies that produce peptides for labs and pharma, actual experts in this field, recommend -20c for relatively short storage of around 3-6 months, and -80c for long term storage.

So as a practical matter, if you don't intend on ever storing peptides longer than a year, imo, the benefit from cryostorage is minimal (but still better), but 3,4, 5 years worth? Then going from dedicated $200 fridge/freezer to a $600 used cryofreezer is a minimal investment to keep your peptides in optimal condition, regardless of which ones, or how well/poorly they're manufactured. $400-$500 is nothing compared to the value of 25-30 kits.

Plenty of "working folks" quickly spend $500 on fishing gear or other hobbies. I'm not sure what a temp monitor would do for you other than alert you to your mini fridge crapping out. Just put them in a small insulated box/cooler in the back of your refrigerator, which will protect them from light and temp swings from opening the door, it'll be as good as a mini fridge, and you'll immediately notice if your refrigerator fails since you're in it every day.

 

[CharlesV]

Plenty of "working folks" quickly spend $500 on fishing gear or other hobbies.

thanks for the input. i was hoping you’d chime in.

that puts it in perspective. i wouldn’t think twice about forking that out on a couple of the hobbies i partake in outside of bio hacking…the thought of spending it on a fridge just seems weird.

it is getting so strange lately, i really think we should be buying as much product as we can afford and sitting on them.

i’ll take a deep dive into scientific boxes and see if i can come up on a deal.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Meanwhile serostim is stored at room temp lol

 

[CharlesV]

Funny you say that. I thought the one linked was pretty good looking. Retro.

i did too! i actually bought a cheap ass Frigidaire retro 6 pack mini cooler to stash in my cabinet. it could hold like 10-15 kits. 3 days after i got it, my kits were soaked from humidity. so don’t get the $40-$50 model variety for sure. that pos got returned immediately, and i went back to the kitchen fridge.

maybe the nicer ones like you linked have the humidity control figured out?

 

[Lee_48]

i did too! i actually bought a cheap ass Frigidaire retro 6 pack mini cooler to stash in my cabinet. it could hold like 10-15 kits. 3 days after i got it, my kits were soaked from humidity. so don’t get the $40-$50 model variety for sure. that pos got returned immediately, and i went back to the kitchen fridge.

maybe the nicer ones like you linked have the humidity control figured out?

The one I linked above has been going good for over a year now. I keep a digital thermometer inside that shows the humidity to monitor any temperature changes as well.
I too bought one of those smaller chap ones at first, and the same thing happened to me.