Glutathione Dosage Guide

Glutathione is a three-amino-acid peptide, made from glutamate, cysteine, and glycine, that every cell in the body builds for itself. It is the most abundant antioxidant inside human cells. It neutralizes unstable molecules called free radicals, serves as a cofactor for several detoxification enzymes, and maintains the redox balance that mitochondria need to produce energy efficiently.

Unlike most peptides profiled on PeptideWiki, glutathione is endogenously produced and widely sold as a dietary supplement. Research interest spans five main application areas: aging and mitochondrial health, immune function, neurodegenerative disease, liver detoxification, and dermatology. The evidence base includes a Phase 3 trial in chemotherapy-induced neuropathy and multiple Phase 1 and Phase 2 trials in healthy adults, Parkinson's disease, and cosmetic skin applications.

Use our Peptide Dosage Calculator if you are calculating injectable volumes from a compounded vial. For oral liposomal and capsule forms, product labels list dose per serving directly.

For the complete mechanism of action and referenced research, see our full Glutathione profile. New to peptide supplementation? Start with the Beginner's Guide to Peptides.

Glutathione is dosed very differently across forms. The tables below reflect published trial protocols and established compounding pharmacy ranges. Always start at the lower end for your chosen form.

Oral Liposomal (Most Common Consumer Form)

Intravenous (Clinic)

Intramuscular and Subcutaneous

Intranasal (Research Protocol)

Topical

Glutathione is sold in more distinct forms than almost any other peptide. Preparation varies by route: liposomal products arrive ready-to-use, IV and IM compounded vials are already in solution, and topical creams are pre-formulated. Unlike BPC-157 or TB-500, glutathione is not typically reconstituted from lyophilized powder by consumers.

Preparation Steps by Form

Storage

• Oral liposomal (liquid): Refrigerate at 2–8°C after opening. Use within 30 days. Some brands recommend freezer storage before first opening.
• Oral capsule and S-acetyl: Room-temperature storage; check manufacturer expiration date.
• Compounded IV / IM / SC solution: Refrigerate per pharmacy instructions; protect from light.
• Intranasal spray: Refrigerate or room-temperature per pharmacy instructions; typically 28–30 day in-use limit.
• Topical: Per product label; typically cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

For a visual walkthrough of injection technique if you are self-administering IM or SC, see our How to Reconstitute Peptides guide (the injection mechanics are the same even though glutathione does not require reconstitution).

Each form has its own correct technique. This section covers the five most common routes.

Oral Liposomal (Most Common)

• Take on an empty stomach, at least 10 minutes before food or other supplements.
• For liquid formulations, dispense the dose into the mouth and hold under the tongue for 30 to 90 seconds before swallowing. This brief sublingual contact raises blood glutathione markers acutely.
• For capsules, take with a small sip of water on an empty stomach.
• Typical timing: first dose in the morning. Split dosing (AM and early afternoon) is used for 1,000 mg per day protocols.

Intravenous (Clinic Only)

• Administered only in a licensed clinic by a qualified practitioner.
• Typical technique: slow IV push over 10 to 20 minutes via a 22 or 20 gauge catheter, followed by a sterile saline flush.
• Pre-infusion: blood pressure and heart rate check. Patients with asthma or known sulfite sensitivity are screened before the first dose.
• Do not push glutathione through the same line as IV vitamin C. The two are redox-incompatible during simultaneous infusion.

Intramuscular and Subcutaneous (Home Injection)

• Use a 29 to 31 gauge insulin syringe. For IM, a 25 gauge 1-inch needle is sometimes used.
• IM sites: deltoid (upper arm), ventrogluteal (hip), or vastus lateralis (thigh). Rotate weekly.
• SC sites: lower abdomen (avoid 2-inch radius around the navel) or outer thigh. Pinch the skin and insert at 90 degrees for a standard SC injection.
• Swab the site with an alcohol pad, let dry for 10 seconds, inject, then apply light pressure with a clean gauze or swab.
• Discard used needles in a sharps container.

Intranasal

• Blow the nose gently before use to clear passages.
• Shake the bottle if the label directs. Tilt head slightly forward.
• Insert the nozzle into one nostril, pinch the other shut, and spray while inhaling gently. Repeat on the other side.
• Avoid forceful sniffing, which deposits the spray in the throat rather than the upper nasal tissue where absorption happens.
• Wait 30 seconds between applications. The Bastyr Phase 1 Parkinson's protocol used three administrations per day.

Topical

• Apply to clean, dry skin. Most trial protocols apply twice daily, morning and evening.
• Use a thin layer. More product does not increase absorption and is often washed off or absorbed into clothing.
• For skin-brightening protocols, combine with daily broad-spectrum sunscreen during the day. Most published trials measured changes in sun-exposed areas.

Three stacking patterns have the most published support. Each addresses a different mechanistic angle.

Stack 1: GlyNAC (Glycine + N-Acetylcysteine)

The Sekhar lab at Baylor published two trials (pilot and placebo-controlled RCT) showing that glycine plus N-acetylcysteine corrects intracellular glutathione deficiency more reliably than direct glutathione supplementation in older adults. Glycine and NAC are the precursors the cell needs to build glutathione itself. The RCT used approximately 100 mg per kg per day of each amino acid, split into two daily doses, for 16 weeks.

Stack 2: Glutathione + Alpha Lipoic Acid

Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) recycles oxidized glutathione (GSSG) back to the reduced active form (GSH). A typical stack is 500 mg oral liposomal glutathione plus 300 to 600 mg ALA per day. The rationale is to keep a higher proportion of the glutathione pool in the active reduced state.

Stack 3: Glutathione + Vitamin C (Spaced)

Vitamin C supports glutathione recycling and has its own antioxidant activity. Oral glutathione and oral vitamin C can be taken together. IV glutathione and IV vitamin C should be spaced by at least several hours and never pushed through the same line, due to redox incompatibility in solution.

Stack 4: Glutathione + Selenium

Selenium is a cofactor for glutathione peroxidase, the enzyme that uses glutathione to neutralize hydrogen peroxide. Ensuring adequate selenium status (typically 100 to 200 mcg per day from diet plus supplementation if needed) supports the full antioxidant cascade. Do not exceed 400 mcg per day of selenium long-term.