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Glutathione

Glutathione is a small molecule every cell makes, and the most common antioxidant inside cells. It is not an FDA-approved drug. The liver makes most of it, and levels fall with age. Plain glutathione by mouth is poorly absorbed, so this page mostly covers the injectable form.

Dose range100–1000 mgHow often3 times a weekDosage ↓

What it’s studied for

  • Oxidative stressStudied in humans

    In people with diabetes, 500 mg a day by mouth for six months raised glutathione. A marker of DNA damage went down. source

  • Skin toneStudied in humans

    In small trials, 250 to 500 mg a day by mouth lowered skin melanin, the pigment that darkens skin. Results were mixed across body sites. source

  • Immune cellsStudied in humans

    In a small trial in healthy adults, liposomal glutathione by mouth raised one kind of immune-cell activity by up to 400% in two weeks. source

2 more uses studied
  • Parkinson’s researchStudied in humans

    Small trials of glutathione by IV gave mixed results. A 2020 review of seven trials found a modest gain in movement scores. source

  • EnergyReported by users

    Users describe steadier energy. This has not been measured in trials.

Also listed asGSHL-glutathione reducedgamma-glutamylcysteinylglycine
Educational only, not medical advice. Talk to a doctor before using any compound.Last reviewed October 23, 2026
New here? Three things worth knowing first

What’s a ? A short chain of amino acids, the building blocks of protein. Many act like messengers in the body.

Why the vial has to be mixed. It ships as a dry powder. You add , and the amount you add decides how many on the syringe equal one dose. The calculator does that math.

injection, 3 times a week. Subcutaneous means into the fat layer just under the skin. It uses a small insulin syringe. Any word with a dotted underline on this page opens a short definition.

Dosage guidelines

Subcutaneous, conservative. 100 mg three times a week for 8 to 12 weeks, then 4 weeks off. No studies have tested doses under the skin.

StepDose per injectionDraw to
1100 mg (100,000 mcg)100 units

Units are for a 600 mg vial mixed with 6 mL of water. Change the vial in the calculator

Full protocol details

Other protocols described

  • Subcutaneous, standard. 200 mg three times a week for 8 to 12 weeks, then 4 weeks off. Weekly totals usually land between 300 and 1,000 mg.
  • Subcutaneous, intensive. 200 mg daily or 5 times a week, over a shorter 4 to 8 weeks.
  • Intramuscular, maintenance. 400 to 600 mg once a week, cycled 8 to 12 weeks on and 4 weeks off.
  • Intramuscular, maximum. The top of the ladder: 800 to 1,000 mg once a week.
  • Liposomal, by mouth. 500 mg a day, or 1,000 mg on the high end, by mouth. Described as continuing through breaks from injections.
  • NAC as a precursor. 600 mg of NAC a day, or 600 mg twice a day on the high end. The body turns NAC into its own glutathione.
  • Nebulized. 300 to 600 mg breathed in as a mist, tested only in small pilots in cystic fibrosis and emphysema. Listed as unsuitable for anyone with asthma.
  • Doses used in studies. Studies gave 250 to 1,000 mg a day by mouth, and 600 to 1,400 mg per dose by IV. In practice, doses begin low and rise.

Mixing in the protocols: 600 mg vial + 12 mL bacteriostatic water · 50 mg/mL: 100 mg = 2.0 mL; 200 mg = 4.0 mL; 300 mg = 6.0 mL.
Other forms: Glutathione dissolves only to about 20–50 mg/mL in water, so 2–3 mL for a 600 mg vial (200–300 mg/mL) is too little. Mixing is described as running the water down the vial wall and swirling rather than shaking, adding water up to 12 mL in total if flakes remain after 30 minutes. Volumes this large are often split across two sites or given into the muscle. After mixing it is kept at 2–8 °C, out of light, not frozen, and used within 14 days. A fresh solution is described as clear to very pale yellow; cloudy, deeper yellow or brown solution, particles or a strong sulfur smell are signs it has degraded. At room temperature it loses about 10–15% a month, and 0–5% a month below 15 °C. One manufacturer's product mixed with sterile water lasts 8 hours at room temperature or 48 hours in the fridge.

Subcutaneous, conservative

Dose
100 mg
How often
3 times a week
Route
Subcutaneous
How long
8–12 weeks
Break
4 weeks off between injectable cycles

There are no dose-finding studies for subcutaneous use; these figures come from clinical practice.

Subcutaneous, standard

Dose
200 mg
How often
3 times a week
Route
Subcutaneous
How long
8–12 weeks
Break
4 weeks off between injectable cycles

Weekly totals are typically 300–1,000 mg.

Subcutaneous, intensive

Dose
200 mg
How often
Daily or 5 times a week
Route
Subcutaneous
How long
4–8 weeks

Intramuscular, starting

Dose
200 mg
How often
Weekly
Route
Intramuscular
How long
4 weeks

Increased every 4 weeks based on tolerance and response.

Intramuscular, maintenance

Dose
400–600 mg
How often
Weekly
Route
Intramuscular
How long
Ongoing
Break
8–12 weeks on, 4 weeks off for injectables

Intramuscular, maximum

Dose
800–1,000 mg
How often
Weekly
Route
Intramuscular
How long
As needed

Liposomal, by mouth

Dose
500 mg (standard) or 1,000 mg (high)
How often
Daily
Route
Oral
How long
Ongoing

Oral forms are described as continuing through injectable off-periods.

NAC as a precursor

Raising the body's own production

Dose
600 mg NAC (standard) or 600 mg twice daily (high)
How often
Daily
Route
Oral
How long
Ongoing

Nebulized

Dose
300–600 mg in a buffered solution
Route
Nebulizer

Studied in small pilots in cystic fibrosis and emphysema. Listed as unsuitable for anyone with asthma.

Doses used in studies

Clinical research

Dose
Oral 250–1,000 mg a day for 4 weeks to 6 months; liposomal 500–1,000 mg a day for 4 weeks; IV 600 mg twice daily for 30 days or 1,400 mg three times a week for 4 weeks; IV for skin 1,200 mg twice a week for 6 weeks; intranasal 300–600 mg a day for 3 months

Titration in practice starts at 100–300 mg a week by injection or 250–500 mg a day by mouth, then rises.

Peptide calculator

How much is in your vial?

Check the label. The most common strengths:

Not listed above? Type it here.
mg
The amount your protocol lists for each injection.
mg
3 mL of BAC water
3 mL
This vial holds up to 6 mL of water.
Easy math
50units
That’s the 50 mark on a U-100 syringe. That’s 0.5 mL of liquid.
Every 10 units = 20 mg.
0102030405060708090100 50 units
Syringe size:
Strength200 mg/mL
Your dose100 mg
Doses per vial6

50 units. 3 mL of BAC water

How the vial is mixed

The powder has to be dissolved in bacteriostatic (BAC) water before use. For a 600 mg vial this page uses 6 mL, which puts the usual dose on a round syringe mark: every 10 units is 10 mg.

Vial with alcohol padSTEP 1Wipe both topsAlcohol pad on the peptide vial and the BAC water vial.
Drawing water into the syringeSTEP 2Draw 6 mL of waterThat’s 6 full 1 mL syringes.
Adding water down the vial wallSTEP 3Add it slowlyAim at the glass wall, not at the powder.
Gently swirling the vialSTEP 4Swirl, don’t shakeRoll gently until clear. Refrigerate after.

Read the full mixing guide →

What to watch for

  • Pain, redness or lumps at the injection site, more than with most peptidesReported by users
  • Mild nausea or tiredness in the first weekReported by users
  • Liver problems and rare severe allergic reactions with high-dose IV infusionsStudied in humans
  • Tightening of the airways when inhaled by people with asthmaStudied in humans
  • Unwanted skin lighteningReported by users

Not for anyone allergic to glutathione. Inhaled glutathione is not for anyone with asthma, especially with sulfite sensitivity. Talk to a doctor first, especially with asthma, pregnancy, chemotherapy, nitrate heart medicines, or liver or kidney problems.

Reasons to get medical help right away: trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, chest pain, fainting, or any severe or worrying reaction.

Full side-effect list and who should avoid it

In published research

  • Oral, 250–1,000 mg a day for up to six months: well tolerated, no serious adverse events
  • IV, 1,400 mg three times a week for four weeks: well tolerated, no dropouts
  • IV, 1,200 mg twice a week: 32% adverse events, including liver problems and one anaphylaxis
  • Nebulized in asthma: airway narrowing, FEV1 down 19% (sulfites)
  • FDA warning about compounded injections made from supplement-grade material

What users report

  • Common: injection-site pain, redness and lumps (more than with most peptides), mild nausea, tiredness in the first week
  • Less common: headaches, dizziness, detox-type reactions, unwanted skin lightening
  • Forum reports only: mood changes and irritability
  • Rare, with high-dose unregulated IV infusions: anaphylaxis, liver problems, whole-body inflammatory reactions
  • Mostly dose-related and temporary

Not for

  • Known allergy to glutathione
  • Asthma, especially with sulfite sensitivity (nebulized glutathione in particular; other routes are a question for a doctor)

Use caution with

  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Liver or kidney impairment
  • Active chemotherapy
  • Nitroglycerin or other nitrates
  • Medicines cleared by conjugation in the liver
  • Zinc status: low and high zinc both affect glutathione, so long-term injectable use is described with zinc monitoring

How the body handles it

  • No half-life has been published for injected glutathione
  • A healthy cell holds about 90% reduced GSH to 10% oxidized GSSG
  • Plain oral glutathione is poorly absorbed

Supplies

What 12 weeks of the schedule above takes, counted dose by dose.

Plan for
Glutathione 600 mg
Our trusted peptide supplierGlutathione 600 mg6 vials100 mg 3 times a week for 12 weeks is 3,600 mg, with no weeks offSee the vial on PepSelect
Bacteriostatic water 30 mL
PepSelectBacteriostatic water 30 mL2 vials6 mL in each peptide vial, 36 mL in allSee BAC water on PepSelect
U-100 insulin syringes, 1 mL
AmazonU-100 insulin syringes, 1 mL42 syringes36 injections + 6 to mix the vialsSee syringes on Amazon
Alcohol prep pads
AmazonAlcohol prep pads84 padsTwo each time: one for the vial top, one for the skinSee alcohol pads on Amazon

By clicking this link, WikiPep may receive a commission.

Stacking

The community pairs glutathione with NAC, vitamin C and NAD+, which are described as feeding or refilling it. None of these pairings has been tested in a trial.

  • NACReported by users

    The body turns NAC into its own glutathione. Some people use it alongside the injected form.

  • Vitamin CReported by users

    Vitamin C and glutathione are described as refreshing each other after use.

  • NAD+Reported by users

    NAD+ is described as helping make energy, and glutathione as clearing up the waste that energy-making leaves behind.

Also used alongside it, with no interactions described: alpha-lipoic acid, SS-31 and MOTS-c, and thymosin alpha-1.

Talk to a doctor before combining it with: chemotherapy or nitroglycerin, since glutathione takes part in how the liver handles drugs.

Go deeper

Every study, community report and source behind this page.

What the studies show18 findings, each with its evidence label

Status, October 2026. Glutathione is not an FDA-approved drug; it is sold orally as a dietary supplement, and as of FDA's May 14, 2026 list it sits in Category 1 (under evaluation) of the 503A bulk substances nominated for compounding. Source

How it works

The sulfur group on its cysteine gives up electrons to neutralize reactive oxygen molecules. An enzyme, glutathione reductase, then uses NADPH to turn the spent GSSG back into active GSH.

In the liver, enzymes called glutathione S-transferases attach glutathione to some drugs, metals and toxins so the body can excrete them. This is the chemistry that handles NAPQI, the harmful breakdown product of acetaminophen, and it is why acetylcysteine (NAC), a glutathione building block, is the hospital antidote for acetaminophen overdose.

Glutathione also regenerates vitamins C and E, and is involved in the work of immune cells such as lymphocytes, NK cells and macrophages, most noticeably when levels are low. It is also present in mitochondria, where cells make energy.

Plain glutathione taken by mouth is poorly absorbed. Injection, liposomal capsules and NAC (which the body turns into glutathione) are the alternatives people use.

Benefits

Each one carries an evidence label, so you can see how much is actually known.

Oxidative stress

In a trial in people with diabetes, 500 mg a day by mouth for six months raised glutathione and lowered 8-OHdG, a marker of DNA damage from oxidation. source

Studied in humans

Conjugation chemistry

The body attaches its own glutathione to some toxins and metals, such as arsenic, so they can be excreted. No study cited here measured whether adding glutathione changes that.

Unknown

Immune markers

In a small trial in healthy adults, liposomal glutathione raised NK-cell activity by up to 400% and lymphocyte growth by up to 60% within two weeks. Effects are described as smaller in people whose levels were not low. source

Studied in humans

Skin tone

In small -controlled trials, 250–500 mg a day by mouth lowered the skin's melanin index. Results were mixed across body sites. source

Studied in humans

Parkinson's research

Small trials of IV glutathione gave mixed results. A 2020 review of seven randomized trials found a modest improvement in motor scores, with no change in thinking or mood. source

Studied in humans

Mitochondria and energy

Glutathione is present in mitochondria, and users describe steadier energy. This has not been measured in trials.

Reported by users

What the science shows

Oral glutathione for six months (human, 2015)

Studied in humans

54 healthy adults took 250 mg a day, 1,000 mg a day or for six months in a double-blind trial. At the high dose, glutathione rose 30–35% in red cells, plasma and lymphocytes and 260% in cheek cells. NK-cell activity more than doubled by three months. source

Liposomal glutathione (human, 2018)

Studied in humans

12 healthy adults took 500 mg or 1,000 mg of liposomal glutathione daily for four weeks. By two weeks levels were up 40% in whole blood, 25% in red cells, 28% in plasma and 100% in immune cells. The oxidation marker 8-isoprostane fell 35%. NK-cell activity rose up to 400% and lymphocyte growth up to 60%. The two doses did not differ. source

Diabetes (human, 2022)

Studied in humans

354 people took part (250 with diabetes, 104 without). 125 people with diabetes took 500 mg a day by mouth for six months. Glutathione rose (Cohen's d = 1.01) and 8-OHdG fell (d = -1.07). HbA1c stayed more stable, most clearly in people over 55. 44 were lost to follow-up. source

IV glutathione in Parkinson's (human pilot, 2009)

Studied in humans

21 people (11 on glutathione, 10 on placebo) received 1,400 mg IV three times a week for four weeks. Motor scores improved 2.8 points more than placebo, which was not significant (P = 0.32). It was well tolerated, and the difference was gone during eight weeks of follow-up. source

IV glutathione in early Parkinson's (human, open-label, 1996)

Studied in humans

9 people with early, untreated Parkinson's received 600 mg IV twice a day for 30 days. All improved, with disability scores down 42%, lasting 2–4 months after stopping. There was no control group. source

Parkinson's meta-analysis (2020)

Studied in humans

Seven randomized trials with 450 participants together showed a modest improvement in motor scores (effect size -0.48, P = 0.02), with no difference in thinking, mood or daily activities and no increase in adverse events. source

Skin, 500 mg a day (human, 2012)

Studied in humans

60 people took 500 mg a day by mouth, in divided doses, or placebo for four weeks. The melanin index fell at all six sites measured but beat placebo at only two: the right face and the sun-exposed left forearm. No adverse effects. source

Skin, 250 mg a day (human, 2017)

Studied in humans

250 mg a day by mouth for 12 weeks lowered the melanin index and improved elasticity, wrinkles and smoothness compared with placebo. Both the reduced and oxidized forms worked. source

NAC and glycine in older adults (human, 2011)

Studied in humans

8 adults aged 60–75 had 46.2% less red-cell glutathione than 8 adults aged 30–40. After 14 days of NAC plus glycine, their glutathione rose 94.6%, its production rate rose 78.8%, and oxidative stress returned to normal. source

Inhaled glutathione in asthma (human, 1997)

Studied in humans

In 8 people with mild asthma, nebulized glutathione narrowed the airways (FEV1 down 19%, airway resistance up 61%) and caused cough and breathlessness, put down to sulfites. A pre-treatment with salbutamol blocked it. source

Intranasal glutathione in Parkinson's (human, 2015)

Studied in humans

300–600 mg a day by nose for three months was tolerable. The trial was not designed to show a benefit, and none was shown. source

Skin-lightening review (2025)

Studied in humans

In one study reviewed, 32% of people on 1,200 mg IV twice a week had adverse events, including liver problems and one anaphylaxis. The review names IV as the riskiest route and oral and topical as the safest. source

What the community reports6 user reports, a timeline and 7 pairings

What to expect

Weeks 1–2

With liposomal glutathione, blood levels rose within a week and peaked at two weeks: 40% in whole blood, 25% in red cells and 100% in immune cells.

Studied in humans
Weeks 1–2

Some users describe clarity and energy, especially with injections. Others describe a 'detox reaction', and injection-site reactions are common.

Reported by users
Weeks 2–4

Users describe steadier energy and early symptoms fading.

Reported by users
Week 4

In one trial, 500 mg a day by mouth lowered the melanin index over four weeks.

Studied in humans
Month 1–3

With 1,000 mg a day by mouth, blood levels rose within the first month and NK-cell activity had doubled by three months.

Studied in humans
Weeks 4–8

Users describe visible skin brightening and changes they attribute to immune function.

Reported by users
Month 6

With 1,000 mg a day by mouth, levels peaked at 30–35% above baseline in red cells and plasma.

Studied in humans
After stopping

Levels are described as returning to baseline over weeks to months, with no withdrawal or rebound.

Reported by users

What people report

Gathered from user communities. Anecdotal: useful for what to expect, not proof.

Energy and clarity

Some people on weekly IV infusions for about two months describe milder fatigue, joint pain and brain fog; others notice nothing. Some describe clearer thinking within days of starting injections.

Reported by users

Skin

Gradual brightening over 4–8 weeks, stronger at higher doses, fading after stopping.

Reported by users

'Glut flu'

Headache, fatigue and irritability in the first days or weeks, described as more common with a high toxic load and usually gone within 1–2 weeks or at a lower dose.

Reported by users

Feeling worse

Some describe irritability, mood changes, dizziness or headaches.

Reported by users

Injections

The main complaints are injection-site pain and the large volumes involved.

Reported by users

Oral forms

Liposomal glutathione is described as more consistent than plain capsules, and NAC as a cheaper alternative.

Reported by users

Stacking

How it is described alongside other compounds.

NAD+

Described as complementary: NAD+ is involved in energy production and glutathione in clearing its byproducts.

NAC

Supplies the building block for the body's own glutathione, alongside the injected form.

Vitamin C

The two regenerate each other, and vitamin C is involved in glutathione production.

Alpha-lipoic acid

Regenerates glutathione and works in both water- and fat-soluble parts of the cell.

SS-31 and MOTS-c

Described as complementary: general antioxidant activity alongside compounds aimed at the mitochondria.

Thymosin Alpha-1

Described as working on immune function by a different route.

Chemotherapy and nitroglycerin

No combinations are known to be off-limits, but because glutathione takes part in drug processing in the liver, these are combinations to check with a prescriber.

Common questions10 questions

Common questions

Why inject glutathione rather than take it by mouth?

Plain oral glutathione is mostly broken down in the gut. Liposomal glutathione (a 40% rise in whole blood within two weeks at 500 mg a day) and NAC are the oral alternatives.

Does glutathione lighten skin?

Small trials at 250–500 mg a day by mouth found a lower melanin index, through effects on tyrosinase and a shift toward lighter pheomelanin. Results varied by body site, and the change is gradual and fades after stopping.

Is NAC an alternative to injectable glutathione?

NAC is cheaper and gives the body what it needs to make its own glutathione. Injections are described for cases where production may be impaired, and many people use both.

Can glutathione levels be measured?

Yes, with lab tests. Fatigue, frequent illness, brain fog and slow recovery are often linked to low levels, but they are vague signs with many causes, so a doctor is the one to interpret results.

Is it used long term?

Many people do. Injectables are described in cycles of 8–12 weeks on and 4 weeks off, with oral forms continuing, and zinc levels checked during long-term injectable use.

Why won't the powder fully dissolve?

There is too little water for its 20–50 mg/mL solubility. 6–12 mL per 600 mg vial is the range described; 12 mL (50 mg/mL) is the volume that stays within that solubility.

Why 14 days after mixing instead of 28?

Its sulfur group oxidizes quickly in solution, so 14 days is the practical limit.

Is IV glutathione safe?

It was tolerated in several small trials, but one skin study had a 32% adverse event rate. In studies it was given under medical supervision.

What does “minimum effective dose” mean?

It is the lowest dose that still produces the effect someone is after. User reports describe starting there and staying there for as long as it keeps working, rather than climbing toward the top of the range. Side effects tend to rise with dose, and the top of each range on this page is a ceiling people report, not a target.

When does the dose go up?

There is no trial schedule for Glutathione. User reports describe staying on a dose while it is still working, and moving up only after progress has stalled for two weeks or more and side effects have settled. There is no prize for getting to the top dose fast. These are not quick fixes: most of what people report builds over weeks, not days.

Source material13 studies and documents

References

  1. Richie JP, Nichenametla S, Neidig W, et al. Eur J Nutr. 2015;54(2):251-263. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24791752/…
  2. Sinha R, et al. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2018;72(1):105-111. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28853742/…
  3. Kalamkar S, Acharya J, Madathil A, et al. Antioxidants. 2022;11(5):1026. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35624883/…
  4. Hauser RA, Lyons KE, McClain T, et al. Mov Disord. 2009;24(7):979-983. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19230029/…
  5. Sechi G, Deledda MG, Bua G, et al. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 1996;20(7):1159-1170. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8938817/…
  6. Arjinpathana N, Asawanonda P. J Dermatolog Treat. 2012;23(2):97-102. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20524875/…
  7. Weschawalit S, Thongthip S, Phutrakool P, et al. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2017;10:147-153. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28490897/…
  8. Sekhar RV, Patel SG, Guthikonda AP, et al. Am J Clin Nutr. 2011;94(3):847-853. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21795440/…
  9. Marrades RM, Roca J, Barbera JA, et al. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 1997;156(2):425-430. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9279219/…
  10. Mischley LK, Leverenz JB, Lau RC, et al. Mov Disord. 2015;30(12):1696-1701. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26230671/…
  11. Alzahrani TF, et al. Cureus. 2025;17(1):e78045. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39980969/…
  12. US Food and Drug Administration. Human drug compounding notice. June 2019. www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/fda-hig…
  13. Wang HL, et al. Exp Ther Med. 2021;21(2):125. doi.org/10.3892/etm.2020.9557…