If I reconstitute a 36 mg vial of retatrutide with 180 mL bacteriostatic water, what is the resulting concentration and how many milliliters are needed for a 1 mg or 2 mg dose?

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Retatrutide Reconstitution with 180 mL Bacteriostatic Water

When reconstituting a 36 mg vial of retatrutide with 180 mL of bacteriostatic water, the resulting concentration is 0.2 mg/mL (36 mg ÷ 180 mL = 0.2 mg/mL); therefore, you would need 5 mL for a 1 mg dose and 10 mL for a 2 mg dose.

Concentration Calculation

  • Final concentration: 36 mg ÷ 180 mL = 0.2 mg/mL 1
  • This is a straightforward dilution where the total drug amount is divided by the total volume of diluent

Dosing Volumes

For 1 mg dose:

  • Volume needed: 1 mg ÷ 0.2 mg/mL = 5 mL 1

For 2 mg dose:

  • Volume needed: 2 mg ÷ 0.2 mg/mL = 10 mL 1

Preparation Requirements

Sterile technique is mandatory throughout the reconstitution process:

  • Sanitize the preparation area with 70% isopropanol without added ingredients like dyes or glycerin 2
  • Thoroughly wash hands to wrists with detergent or soap and potable water, or use sanitizing agents containing 70% isopropanol 2
  • Sanitize the vial stopper with isopropanol before needle puncture 2
  • Avoid direct contact contamination of sterile needles and syringes 2

Storage and Handling

  • Refrigerate the reconstituted solution at 4°C to minimize potency loss 2
  • Label clearly with medication name, concentration (0.2 mg/mL), date and time of preparation, and expiration time 1
  • Shake well before each use to ensure proper mixing 2
  • Perform visual inspection for physical integrity after mixing 2

Important Caveats

  • The large dilution volume (180 mL) creates a very dilute concentration requiring larger injection volumes, which may not be practical for subcutaneous administration 3, 4
  • Standard retatrutide dosing in clinical trials used once-weekly subcutaneous injections with therapeutic doses ranging from 1 mg to 12 mg 3, 4
  • If not used immediately, discard the reconstituted solution after 24 hours when stored at refrigeration temperature 1

References

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Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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