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AHK-Cu 100mg — Research Protocol Reference
SKU AU100 · Last reviewed 29 July 2026
Research use only. The parameters below document protocols reported in published research and supplier literature. They are not medical advice, not a prescription, and not a recommendation for human use. Advance Peptides products hold no Health Canada or FDA approval. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before acting on any of it.
Dosing Protocol
AHK-Cu is administered once daily via subcutaneous injection. Inject into the abdomen or thigh, rotating sites each session.
Individuals with copper metabolism disorders such as Wilson's disease should not use copper peptides.

⚠️ Syringe note: All doses in this protocol fall below 10 units on a standard U-100 insulin syringe. A 3mL micro needle syringe is strongly recommended for accurate measurement. Standard insulin syringes make draws at this scale difficult to read reliably. ⚠️
Recommended Dose Protocol
| Phase | Dose Per Injection | Frequency | Draw Amount |
|---|
| Weeks 1–2 (intro) | 1mg | 5 on / 2 off | ~3.5 units |
| Weeks 3–4 | 1.5mg | 5 on / 2 off | ~5.25 units |
| Weeks 5–12 (maintenance) | 2mg | 5 on / 2 off | ~7 units |
| Weeks 13–20 (rest) | , Rest Period, | , Rest Period, | , Rest Period, |
| Repeat as Needed | 2mg | 5 on / 2 off | ~7 units |
⚠️ * Titrate up only if needed. Max dose: 2,000mcg (7 units). Begin at the intro dose and hold for the full intro phase. Advance to the maintenance dose only if the intro dose is well tolerated and additional effect is needed. Do not exceed 2,000mcg per injection. ⚠️
Dosing reflects protocols commonly studied in copper peptide research, including work by Dr. Loren Pickart on GHK-Cu and related tripeptide complexes. The once-daily subcutaneous schedule and 12-week active phase align with durations used in published hair and skin regeneration studies. An 8-week rest period is observed to prevent copper accumulation.
Administration Timing
Inject at the same time each day to maintain consistent peptide levels in tissue.
- Time of day: Morning injections are common. Consistency matters more than the specific time chosen.
- Food timing: No food restrictions apply. Inject at any point relative to meals.
- Site rotation: Rotate between abdomen and thigh daily. For scalp or localised hair loss applications, some research protocols use intradermal injection near the target area, consult relevant literature before doing so.
- Rest period: Observe the full Weeks 13–20 rest before repeating. Copper accumulates with prolonged use, the rest period is not optional.
- Daily consistency: Missing doses reduces the cumulative effect on collagen and follicle stimulation. Set a daily reminder.
Daily injection at a consistent time delivers the steadiest tissue exposure across the 12-week active phase.
Notes & Best Practices
- Copper accumulation caution: Extended use beyond 12 weeks without a rest period risks copper accumulation. Always observe the full 8-week rest before repeating the cycle.
- Micro needle syringe: Draws range from 3.5 to 7 units. A standard U-100 syringe makes these volumes difficult to measure accurately. A 3mL micro needle syringe gives far more reliable results at this scale.
- Blue tint is normal: Reconstituted AHK-Cu may appear slightly blue due to the copper complex. This does not indicate contamination or degradation.
- Collagen results take time: Research on copper peptides shows cumulative improvement over 8–12 weeks. Do not assess effectiveness before completing at least 6 weeks of consistent dosing.
- Wilson's disease contraindication: Individuals with copper metabolism disorders must not use this peptide. AHK-Cu delivers bioavailable copper directly to tissue.
High Dosage Side Effects
Taking too much AHK-Cu can increase the likelihood of unwanted side effects. Signs your dose may be too high:
- Injection site irritation: Redness, swelling, or prolonged soreness at the injection site. Copper peptides can cause localised tissue irritation at higher concentrations.
- Metallic taste: A persistent metallic taste has been reported with elevated copper peptide intake. This may indicate systemic copper levels are rising beyond the intended range.
- Nausea: Reported with excess copper intake. If nausea develops during the protocol, reduce dose and allow several days to stabilise before reassessing.
- Headache or fatigue: Non-specific symptoms associated with elevated copper levels in some individuals. Monitor and reduce dose if they persist.
If these symptoms occur, reduce to the previous dose level and hold for at least one week before attempting to increase again.
Low Dosage Side Effects
A dose may be too low if expected effects are absent after consistent use. Common indicators:
- No skin texture improvement after 6 weeks: Research on copper peptides shows measurable changes in skin firmness and elasticity within 6–8 weeks at therapeutic doses.
- No reduction in hair shedding after 4 weeks: Studies investigating AHK-Cu for follicle stimulation report early reductions in shedding within the first month at effective doses.
- No improvement in wound or scar tissue: If the primary goal is tissue repair and no change is observed after 4 weeks, the dose may be insufficient to activate fibroblast activity at the target site.
If well-tolerated with no observable effects after 4–6 weeks, advance to the next titration step.
⚠️ This is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a professional. ⚠️