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NAD+: the complete guide

NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is an endogenous redox cofactor central to mitochondrial energy production, sirtuin activity, and DNA-repair signaling. Parenteral NAD+ is administered in anti-aging and addiction-recovery research protocols.

Written by Peptide Protocol Editorial Medically reviewed per our review process Last reviewed
ClassCofactor / redox coenzyme
Half-lifeApproximately 4–10 minutes (IV); longer for subcutaneous
Typical dose100–500 mg per IV infusion; 50–200 mg per subcutaneous injection
CategoryLongevity / mitochondrial
Research useLongevity research, mitochondrial support, addiction recovery research
FDA statusNot FDA approved for anti-aging or longevity uses. Compounded NAD+ is available through 503A pharmacies in some states.

How NAD+ works

NAD+ is a substrate for sirtuins (SIRT1-7), PARPs (DNA repair enzymes), and CD38. Declining NAD+ with age is implicated in multiple aging phenotypes; supplementation aims to restore intracellular NAD+ pools.

Typical NAD+ dosage

Commonly reported research ranges: 100–500 mg per IV infusion; 50–200 mg per subcutaneous injection.

Dose should always be individualized. Factors that influence it include bodyweight, research goal, tolerance, and specific compound batch. The information below is educational, not a prescription.

How to reconstitute NAD+

A widely used reconstitution for a 500 mg vial is 10 ml of bacteriostatic water. With a typical 100000 mcg dose this works out to the unit count shown in the calculator below.

Open the NAD+ reconstitution calculator →

Pre-filled with the common 500 mg + 10 ml ratio. Adjust for your own vial.

Half-life and administration frequency

Approximately 4–10 minutes (IV); longer for subcutaneous.

This half-life informs how often NAD+ is typically dosed. Shorter half-lives usually mean more frequent dosing to maintain plasma levels; longer half-lives allow daily, weekly, or less-frequent administration depending on the compound.

Reported side effects

This list reflects effects reported in available literature or user logs. It is not exhaustive. Adverse reactions should be discussed with a qualified clinician.

Common NAD+ stacks

Storage and handling

Lyophilized: refrigerated. Reconstituted: refrigerated, use within 7–14 days (shorter than most peptides).

FDA and regulatory status

Not FDA approved for anti-aging or longevity uses. Compounded NAD+ is available through 503A pharmacies in some states.

NAD+ clinical trials and evidence

For clinical-trial and primary-literature context, start with the sources below. We prioritize official drug labels, ClinicalTrials.gov records, and PubMed-indexed literature when available.

Track your NAD+ protocol on iPhone

Peptide Protocol logs every dose, calculates reconstitution for you, and keeps your full protocol on one calm screen.

See the app →

Frequently asked questions

What is NAD+?

NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is an endogenous redox cofactor central to mitochondrial energy production, sirtuin activity, and DNA-repair signaling. Parenteral NAD+ is administered in anti-aging and addiction-recovery research protocols.

How does NAD+ work?

NAD+ is a substrate for sirtuins (SIRT1-7), PARPs (DNA repair enzymes), and CD38. Declining NAD+ with age is implicated in multiple aging phenotypes; supplementation aims to restore intracellular NAD+ pools.

What is a typical NAD+ dose?

Commonly reported ranges are 100–500 mg per IV infusion; 50–200 mg per subcutaneous injection. This is research information, not a recommendation — dosing should be individualized under clinical guidance.

What is the half-life of NAD+?

Approximately 4–10 minutes (IV); longer for subcutaneous. This influences how often it is administered.

How do you reconstitute NAD+?

A common approach is to add 10 ml of bacteriostatic water to a 500 mg vial. Use the reconstitution calculator for exact unit counts.

What are the side effects of NAD+?

Flushing, chest pressure, or nausea during rapid IV infusion; Injection-site reactions for subcutaneous dosing; Headache; Limited long-term parenteral safety data.

Is NAD+ FDA approved?

Not FDA approved for anti-aging or longevity uses. Compounded NAD+ is available through 503A pharmacies in some states.

Are there clinical trials for NAD+?

Registered or published clinical-trial sources for NAD+ are listed in the references section below. Evidence depth varies widely by compound, so check the cited trial registries and primary literature before relying on any claim.

References

  1. NAD+ metabolism and aging literature — National Library of Medicine. Primary research on NAD+ biology in aging and disease
  2. Rajman, Chwalek & Sinclair — NAD+ supplementation strategies review — PubMed. Comprehensive review of NAD+ precursors and parenteral strategies
  3. NAD+ clinical trial records — ClinicalTrials.gov. Registered studies of NAD+ and NAD+ precursors

Sources listed above were used to verify the claims on this page. See our editorial policy for how we source information.

Educational use only. Peptide Protocol is an informational tool. Nothing on this page constitutes medical advice. Many peptides are prescription-only or restricted in your jurisdiction. Always consult a licensed healthcare professional before injecting any compound.