NAD+

A core cellular coenzyme that declines with age — popular for 'energy', thin on proof.

Not FDA-approved as a drugEvidence

Overview

NAD+ is a coenzyme in every cell, needed for turning food into energy and for DNA-repair and sirtuin enzymes. Levels fall with age. It is not a peptide. Oral precursors (NR, NMN) reliably raise NAD+ levels in human trials, but evidence that injecting NAD+ itself improves health outcomes is very limited.

How it works

Shuttles electrons in energy metabolism and is consumed by sirtuins, PARPs (DNA repair) and CD38. Injected NAD+ is likely broken down to smaller precursors outside cells before being taken up, so how much reaches cells intact is unclear.

Evidence

2/5

Strong biology and mouse aging studies; human trials mostly test oral precursors (NR, NMN). Direct NAD+ injection/infusion has only small pharmacokinetic studies.

Half-life

Short in blood (minutes to hours); quickly broken down to precursors

Known as

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, β-NAD, Coenzyme I

Compound facts

CAS Number: 53-84-9
Molecular Formula: C21H27N7O14P2
Molecular Weight: 663.43 g/mol
Type: Dinucleotide coenzyme
Components: Nicotinamide + Adenine + Ribose + Phosphate

Reported benefits

Human data

Raises NAD+ levels

Infusion studies show blood NAD+ rises; oral precursors do so in multiple RCTs.

Animal

Healthy aging

Boosting NAD+ improved metabolic and aging markers in mice.

Anecdotal

Energy and mental clarity

Commonly reported by users; not shown in controlled trials.

Anecdotal

Addiction-recovery use

IV NAD+ is promoted for withdrawal support; evidence is limited to small, uncontrolled reports.

“Anecdotal” means reported by users, not shown in controlled trials.

Community-reported regimens

Not recommendations. These are commonly cited ranges, shown so you can see what real-world use looks like.

Plan	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Route
Community-reported 50 mg is a common starting dose; inject slowly. Some go to 100 mg.	50000 mcg	2–3× weekly	4–8 weeks	Subcutaneous
Community-reported daily low Lower doses are used to reduce flushing and cramping.	25000 mcg	Once daily, 5 days a week	4 weeks	Subcutaneous

Reconstitution calculator

Set up for NAD+. Switch peptide or vial size any time.

Peptide

Vial

Walk me through it

1Mix

Add 2 mL water for 250 mg/mL

2Draw

Draw to 20 units = 0.2 mL = 50 mg

Drag the plunger to set your dose.

3Inject

Next site

Right belly, upper

Tap a site after you inject to keep a rotation.

Pinch the skin, stay 2 in. from the navel, then into a sharps bin.

Peptide in vial (mg)

Water to add (mL)

Dose

Doses per day

Days per week

Community doses:

Doses per vial: 10
Vial lasts: 23 days
Good once mixed: ~14 days
Syringe: 30-unit, 0.3 mL

The vial outlasts its ~14-day shelf life once mixed. A smaller vial wastes less.

Easier numbers, add this much water:

Math only: concentration (mg/mL) = vial mg ÷ mL of water; units = dose (mg) ÷ concentration × 100. Always double-check against your own vial label and a clinician. This tool does not recommend a dose.

Reconstitution

Diluent: Bacteriostatic water (0.9% benzyl alcohol) — allows multiple draws from one vial.

Wipe both vial tops with an alcohol swab and let dry.
Draw the diluent, then inject it slowly down the inside wall of the vial — never straight onto the powder.
Swirl gently or let it sit; do not shake. Foam can damage peptides.
Solution should be clear. Cloudy, stringy or discolored = discard.
NAD+ is not a peptide and dissolves readily. Injecting fast tends to cause stinging, flushing or chest tightness — go slowly.
Common mix: 500 mg + 5 mL = 100 mg/mL (50 mg = 50 units).

Full reconstitution guide →

Storage

Powder

Freezer / fridge

Keep sealed vial in the freezer (−20 °C) for long-term storage; fridge (2–8 °C) is fine for a few weeks. Keep dry and out of light.

After mixing

~14 days

Refrigerate at 2–8 °C. Never freeze after mixing. Keep upright, capped, and out of light.

Travel

Keep cool

Short trips at room temperature are generally fine for powder; keep mixed vials cold.

NAD+ in solution is less stable than dry powder; use within about two weeks and protect from light.

Side effects & cautions

Reported side effects

Injection-site stinging or burning
Flushing, warmth, chest tightness (especially with fast injection or IV)
Nausea, stomach cramps
Headache, lightheadedness

Cautions

IV NAD+ should only be given under medical supervision; rapid infusion causes significant discomfort.
Sterility matters: the FDA has warned about poor-quality and non-sterile NAD+ products used for injection.
Theoretical concern: NAD+ supports cell growth, including cancer cells. Discuss with a doctor if you have a cancer history.
No data in pregnancy or breastfeeding.

FDA & international status

FDA

Not FDA-approved as a drug

There is no FDA-approved NAD+ injection. NAD+ injections and IV drips in clinics are compounded products. Oral NAD+ precursors (NR, NMN) are sold as dietary supplements, which is not drug approval. Research vials are unregulated.

European UnionNot authorised as a medicine; NR is permitted as a novel food supplement.

United KingdomNot licensed as a medicine.

CanadaNot approved as a drug; some precursor supplements are licensed natural health products.

AustraliaNot approved as a medicine by the TGA.

WADANot prohibited. IV infusions over 100 mL in 12 hours are a prohibited method (M2) without a TUE.

Regulations change often — verify with the FDA, EMA, MHRA, Health Canada, TGA and WADA before acting.

Often paired with

5-Amino-1MQ

Often paired on the theory that NNMT inhibition spares NAD+. Untested in combination.

MOTS-c

Both marketed for mitochondrial and metabolic support. Rationale only; no combined studies.

Where to buy

NAD+ vials

Size	Price	Per mg	Stock	Latest COA
500 mg	$69.99	$0.14	In stock	99.18% pure, lot NAD0002 ILS Labs, tested 2026-07-30

Past COAs (2 lab reports)

2026-07-30, 500 mg, lot NAD0002, 99.18% pure, measured 524.56mgILS Labs, passedView PDF
2026-05-29, 500 mg, lot NAD0001, 99.67% pure, measured 532.29mgILS Labs, passedView PDF

NAD+ nasal spray (ready-made)

View ↗

Size	Price	Per mg	Stock	Latest COA
750 mg	$49.99	$0.07	In stock	99.58% pure, lot SNAD0001 ILS Labs, tested 2026-08-20

Past COAs (2 lab reports)

2026-08-20, 750 mg, lot SNAD0001, 99.58% pure, measured 783.07mgILS Labs, passedView PDF
2026-08-20, 750 mg, lot SNAD0001, measured 804.22mg / 800.47mgEthos Analytical, passedView PDF

Amino Club list prices as of 2026-10-07, before promo codes. Multi-buy: 2+ units 5% off, 3+ units 7.5% off, 10+ units 40% off. Prices change; confirm on the product page. Mixing? Their bacteriostatic water is Amino H2O from $19.99.

NAD+ at Amino Club

Check sizes, current price and the certificate of analysis (COA) on the product page. Sold for in-vitro research only.

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Look for a batch-specific COA with HPLC purity (≥98%) and mass-spec identity.
Typical vial sizes: 500 mg.

FAQ

Injection, IV, spray or oral precursor?

Oral NR or NMN has the most human data for raising NAD+. Injections and IV are popular but less studied; nasal absorption is largely unknown.

Why does it make me flush or feel chest tightness?

A common reaction to delivering NAD+ quickly. Slower injection or lower doses usually reduce it.

Is NAD+ a peptide?

No. It's a dinucleotide coenzyme made of two nucleotides. It's sold alongside peptides but is a different kind of molecule.

Read the primary research on PubMed ↗