NAD+: Dosage & Administration

NAD+ dosing varies significantly by route of administration. Direct NAD+ injection provides immediate bioavailability, IV infusion allows high-dose loading, and oral precursors (NMN, NR) offer convenience but require enzymatic conversion. The right choice depends on your goals, budget, and tolerance for injections.

Route	Dose Range	Frequency	Onset	Primary Use
Subcutaneous injection	50–500 mg	Daily or 2–3× weekly	Hours	Direct NAD+ repletion, anti-aging
IV infusion	250–750 mg	1–2× weekly (clinic)	Immediate	Rapid NAD+ loading, neurodegeneration
Oral NMN	250–1,000 mg	Daily	Days-weeks	Maintenance, convenience
Oral NR (Niagen)	300–1,000 mg	Daily	Days-weeks	Maintenance, most clinical data
Sublingual NMN	125–500 mg	Daily	Minutes-hours	Improved absorption over oral

Starting Protocol for Beginners

For those new to NAD+ supplementation, a conservative starting approach is recommended:

• Week 1-2: 50-100 mg subcutaneous daily (assess injection tolerance)
• Week 3-4: Increase to 100-250 mg daily based on tolerance and response
• Week 5+: Maintain at 100-500 mg, adjust frequency to 3-5× weekly for cost management

Starting at lower doses helps you acclimate to the injection discomfort (NAD+ injections sting more than typical peptides) and allows you to assess your individual response before committing to higher doses. For a broader introduction to peptide dosing, see the peptide dosage guide.

Loading vs. Maintenance Phases

Phase	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Purpose
Loading	250–500 mg	Daily	2–4 weeks	Rapidly replete depleted NAD+ pools
Maintenance	100–250 mg	2–3× weekly	Ongoing	Sustain elevated NAD+ levels

The loading phase is especially relevant for individuals over 50 whose NAD+ levels may have declined significantly. Blood NAD+ testing before and after loading can confirm whether repletion targets are being met.

Injectable NAD+ is typically supplied as a lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder in vials ranging from 100 mg to 1,000 mg. Reconstitution follows standard peptide preparation procedures:

1. Gather supplies: NAD+ vial, bacteriostatic water, alcohol swabs, insulin syringe (29-31 gauge)
2. Clean the vial stopper with an alcohol swab. Allow to dry.
3. Draw bacteriostatic water into the syringe. Common dilutions:
   • 500 mg vial + 5 mL BAC water = 100 mg/mL — draw 1 mL for 100 mg, 2.5 mL for 250 mg
   • 1,000 mg vial + 10 mL BAC water = 100 mg/mL — same concentration, more doses per vial
4. Inject water into the vial slowly, angling the needle to let water run down the side
5. Gently swirl (never shake) until fully dissolved. A slight yellow tint is normal for NAD+

Important NAD+-specific notes:

• NAD+ solutions may appear slightly yellow — this is normal and not a sign of degradation
• Using a more dilute solution (lower mg/mL) can significantly reduce injection site stinging
• Inject slowly over 15-30 seconds to further minimize discomfort
• Warm the syringe to room temperature before injection (hold in your hand for 1-2 minutes)

Use the peptide calculator for exact volumes based on your vial size, and the bacteriostatic water calculator to determine how much water to add. For detailed step-by-step instructions, see the reconstitution guide.

NAD+ dosing timing has important considerations that differ from most peptides:

Time of Day

• Morning administration is strongly preferred. NAD+ directly influences circadian clock gene expression (CLOCK, BMAL1) and energy metabolism through sirtuin activation. Administering in the morning aligns with the body's natural NAD+ rhythm, which peaks during the active phase.
• Avoid evening dosing. NAD+ can interfere with sleep onset by activating cellular energy pathways. Many users report insomnia or restlessness when dosing in the afternoon or evening.

Fasting Requirements

No strict fasting is required for injectable NAD+, unlike GH secretagogues. However, for oral NMN/NR supplements, taking them in the morning on an empty stomach or with a light meal is commonly recommended based on circadian research by Imai et al.

Cycle Length

Unlike peptides that require cycling to prevent receptor desensitization, NAD+ is a metabolic substrate — not a receptor agonist. This means tolerance is not a concern:

• Injectable protocols: Often run as loading (2-4 weeks daily) followed by ongoing maintenance (2-3× weekly). No off-cycle is strictly required.
• Oral NMN/NR: Typically taken continuously, similar to a daily supplement.
• NAD+ levels decline again after supplementation is discontinued, so most protocols are designed for ongoing use.

Understanding the relationship between these molecules is essential for choosing the right protocol:

Factor	Direct NAD+ (Injectable)	NMN (Oral)	NR / Niagen (Oral)
What it is	The molecule itself	NAD+ precursor (1 step away)	NAD+ precursor (2 steps away)
Route	Subcutaneous / IV	Oral capsule or sublingual	Oral capsule
Bioavailability	Near 100% (injectable)	Variable — depends on SLC12A8 transporter and conversion	Good oral absorption, converted via NRK pathway
Speed of NAD+ rise	Hours	Days	Days
Human clinical data	Limited (mostly clinic-based)	Growing — multiple RCTs published	Most extensive — Elysium, ChromaDex trials
Cost	$100-300+/month	$30-80/month	$30-60/month
Convenience	Requires injection or IV clinic	Pill or powder	Pill
Discomfort	Stinging injection	None	None

Bottom line: Direct injectable NAD+ provides the fastest and most potent NAD+ repletion. Oral NMN and NR are more convenient and have more human clinical trial data. Many people start with oral NMN/NR and add injectable NAD+ if they want more aggressive repletion or faster results.

For the broader anti-aging peptide landscape, see best peptides for anti-aging, which covers NAD+ alongside epitalon, SS-31, and MOTS-c.

NAD+ has specific storage requirements due to its sensitivity to light and temperature:

• Lyophilized (unreconstituted): Store at -20°C for long-term stability (years), or 2–8°C (refrigerator) for up to several months
• Reconstituted: Refrigerate at 2–8°C. Use within 28 days of reconstitution
• Light sensitivity: NAD+ is photosensitive — store in amber vials or wrap vials in foil to protect from direct light
• Oral NMN/NR: Store in a cool, dry place. Some formulations require refrigeration — check the label
• Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles with reconstituted solutions

For complete storage guidelines, see the peptide storage guide.