TB-500 dosage and protocol
Last reviewed Oct 7, 2026. Editorial policy
US regulatory status: Advisory panel backed, FDA decision pending
TB-500 (Thymosin Beta-4) is a naturally occurring peptide that promotes healing of injured tissue including muscles, tendons, ligaments, and skin. It upregulates cell-building proteins like actin to accelerate repair, reduces inflammation, and improves flexibility. One of the most effective peptides for recovering from injuries and chronic pain conditions.
- Vial size: 5 mg
- Reconstitution: 3 mL bacteriostatic water
- Concentration: 1.67 mg/mL
- Administration: subcutaneous
Research areas
- Injury Recovery
- Tissue Repair
- Anti-Inflammatory
- Flexibility
- Muscle Healing
- Tendon Recovery
Quick start
- Reconstitute: Add 3.0mL bacteriostatic water → ~1.67mg/mL concentration
- Typical daily range: 500–1000mcg once daily (gradual titration)
- Easy measuring: At 1.67mg/mL, 1 unit = 0.01mL ≈ 16.7mcg on a U-100 syringe
- Storage: Lyophilized at −20°C; after reconstitution, refrigerate at 2–8°C; do not freeze reconstituted solution
Dosing protocol
| Phase | Dose | Frequency | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–2 | 500 mcg | Once daily (SC) | 0.30 mL (30 units) |
| Weeks 3–4 | 600 mcg | Once daily (SC) | 0.36 mL (36 units) |
| Weeks 5–8 | 750 mcg | Once daily (SC) | 0.45 mL (45 units) |
| Weeks 9–12 | 1000 mcg | Once daily (SC) | 0.60 mL (60 units) |
How it works
TB-500 is the research name for a synthetic peptide based on thymosin beta-4; products sold under this name may be the full 43-amino-acid peptide or a shorter fragment containing the actin-binding region (residues 17-23). Its best-characterised role is binding monomeric G-actin, which regulates the pool of actin available for building the cytoskeleton. Through this and other signalling effects, Tβ4 promotes cell migration, the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis), and differentiation of progenitor cells, while dampening inflammatory signalling such as NF-κB activation. In rodent and other animal models, Tβ4 accelerated wound closure, improved healing of skin, cornea and cardiac tissue after injury, and reduced inflammation and fibrosis. Studies on tendon and muscle repair in animals have also been reported, though fewer and smaller. Human trials have tested full-length Tβ4 mainly as eye drops and topical gels for dry eye, corneal and skin wounds, with some positive signals. There are no published human trials of injectable TB-500 for musculoskeletal injuries or chronic pain, so claims of being highly effective for injury recovery rest on animal data and anecdote. TB-500 is prohibited in competitive sport by WADA.
Units chart for a 5 mg vial
| Water added | Strength | 1 unit = | 500 mcg | 600 mcg | 750 mcg | 1 mg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mL | 5 mg/mL | 50 mcg | 10 units | 12 units | 15 units | 20 units |
| 2 mL | 2.5 mg/mL | 25 mcg | 20 units | 24 units | 30 units | 40 units |
| 3 mL | 1.67 mg/mL | 16.7 mcg | 30 units | 36 units | 45 units | 60 units |
Units on a U-100 insulin syringe (100 units = 1 mL).
Pages for each vial size and water volume
Reconstitution steps
- Draw 3.0mL bacteriostatic water with a sterile syringe
- Inject slowly down the vial wall; avoid foaming
- Gently swirl/roll until dissolved (do not shake)
- Label with date and concentration; refrigerate at 2–8°C (35.6–46.4°F), protected from light
Storage
Evidence: Common practice. What vendors and users usually do. No published stability testing supports a specific number.
- Powder or unopened: Sealed powder: freezer (about −20 °C) for long-term storage, refrigerator for weeks. Let the vial reach room temperature before opening.
- Mixed or in use: Refrigerator, 2–8 °C. Do not freeze and thaw repeatedly.
- Use within: no tested number
- Light: Keep it in the box or another dark container.
Most reconstituted peptides are kept in the refrigerator (2–8 °C) and used within about 28 days. That is a convention, not tested data: the 28 days comes from the USP <797> limit for opened multiple-dose containers, which is about sterility, not about whether the peptide stays intact.
Sources: Crestigen: Peptide storage and handling guide; USP General Chapter <797> Pharmaceutical Compounding: Sterile Preparations
Store lyophilized at −20°C. After reconstitution, refrigerate at 2–8°C and do not freeze reconstituted solution. Use within 28 days when stored with bacteriostatic water preservative.
Important notes
- Research use only — not approved for human use
- Upregulates actin — key protein for cell building and repair
- Excellent for chronic injuries that haven't responded to other treatments
- Best stacked with BPC-157 for synergistic healing protocol
- May also improve cardiovascular function and heart healing
- Systemic distribution — effective even when injected away from injury site
Supplies
- Bacteriostatic water
- Insulin syringes
- Alcohol swabs