guidesApril 25, 2026·7 min read

VIP Dosage Chart: 50mcg SubQ AM/PM Protocol

VIP is the final step in the Shoemaker protocol — using it too early backfires. Covers 50mcg SubQ, intranasal CIRS dosing, and cycling.

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VIP Dosing: 50mcg SubQ AM/PM Protocol

VIP (vasoactive intestinal peptide) is a 28-amino-acid neuropeptide with regulatory roles across the immune, nervous, and cardiovascular systems. It is a cornerstone therapeutic in the Shoemaker protocol for CIRS (Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome) and is under investigation for pulmonary hypertension and neuroinflammation.

Research-context information only. VIP is a research peptide. Protocols, doses, and reactions reported below come from published research and self-reported community sources. This article reports what has been documented, not what should be done. Consult a licensed physician for personal medical decisions.

VIP is a prescription compound for CIRS protocols. Research-grade VIP is available for subcutaneous use. For a full breakdown of VIP's research-backed effects, see our VIP Benefits Guide. This is not medical advice.

VIP Dosing Table

Match your vial size below — reconstitution and dose math update automatically.

Reconstitute: add 2 mL of bacteriostatic water to the 10 mg vial. Resulting concentration: 5 mg/mL.
50 mcg1 units · 0.01 mL
AM + PM SubQ (Shoemaker protocol)
Standard CIRS dose
100 mcg2 units · 0.02 mL
Daily SubQ
Advanced

Math assumes U-100 insulin syringes (1 mL = 100 units). Verify your syringe matches before injecting. Round half-units to the nearest visible mark.

Quick Reference: Standard Protocol

Parameter Standard Protocol
Dose 50 mcg (5 units on insulin syringe)
Route Subcutaneous injection
Timing AM and PM
Frequency Every day (twice daily)
Cycle 8 weeks on, 8 weeks off
Vial size 5 mg
Reconstitution 5 mL bacteriostatic water → 1 mg/mL
Draw amount 5 units on insulin syringe per dose
Storage Refrigerate, use within 28 days

Standard protocol: 50 mcg subcutaneous AM and PM daily, cycled 8 weeks on / 8 weeks off. For the full VIP profile, see our VIP peptide page.

Cycling Details

The standard subcutaneous protocol runs 8 weeks on, 8 weeks off with twice-daily dosing (AM and PM). The twice-daily schedule maintains more consistent VIP levels given the peptide's relatively short half-life.

VIP's broad anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects build over weeks. The 8-week cycle provides sufficient time for meaningful immune modulation and potential circadian rhythm normalization.

Alternate Protocol: Shoemaker CIRS (Intranasal)

Note: The standard protocol above reflects the common community protocol (50 mcg SubQ). The Shoemaker protocol below uses intranasal delivery for CIRS patients and requires a prescription.

Parameter Shoemaker CIRS Protocol
Route Intranasal spray
Dose 50 mcg per spray
Phase 1 (Weeks 1-4) 4 sprays/day (200 mcg total)
Phase 2 (Weeks 5-18+) 6-8 sprays/day (300-400 mcg)
Prerequisites Mold remediation complete, MARCoNS cleared, inflammatory markers trending down
Monitoring VIP serum, C4a, TGF-B1, MMP-9, lipase every 30 days

VIP is the final step in the Shoemaker protocol. The Shoemaker protocol specifies not starting VIP with active mold exposure or persistent MARCoNS colonization, describing it as a point at which VIP can worsen the inflammatory cascade.

Routes of Administration

Subcutaneous (standard): Subcutaneous protocols document sites including the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm, using 29-31 gauge insulin syringes. The twice-daily schedule (AM and PM) reflects the peptide's short half-life.

Intranasal (Shoemaker protocol): Prescription compounded spray, 50 mcg per metered spray. Direct CNS access via olfactory pathways. Requires physician supervision and lab monitoring.

VIP Mechanism of Action

Reconstitution Quick Reference

Vial Size BAC Water Concentration 50 mcg Dose
5 mg 5 mL 1 mg/mL 5 units

5 mg vial + 5 mL BAC water = 1 mg/mL (1,000 mcg/mL). At 1 mg/mL concentration, a 50 mcg dose corresponds to 5 units on an insulin syringe.

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Community protocols describe gentle swirling — not shaking — to avoid degradation, with storage at 2–8°C, protected from light, and use within 28 days.

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How much will this cycle cost?

Calculate your total cost including vials, syringes, and supplies

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Affiliate disclosure: vendor links in this article are affiliate links — The Peptide Catalog may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no additional cost to you.

Where These Numbers Come From

VIP has clinical evidence across multiple conditions, primarily CIRS and pulmonary hypertension.

CIRS Clinical Data (Shoemaker et al., 2013): Intranasal VIP at 50 mcg 4x daily for 30 days significantly reduced C4a and TGF-B1, improved quality of life, and restored estradiol and testosterone levels in CIRS patients who had completed all prior protocol steps.

Grey Matter Restoration (Shoemaker et al., 2017): Extended VIP therapy at 6-8 sprays/day for 12+ weeks safely restored grey matter volume in multiple brain nuclei — a landmark finding demonstrating VIP-driven neuroplasticity could reverse structural brain changes from chronic biotoxin exposure.

Pulmonary Hypertension (Petkov et al., 2003): Inhaled VIP reduced mean pulmonary artery pressure by 10-15%, increased cardiac output, and improved oxygen saturation in 8 patients with no significant side effects.

COVID-19 (Youssef et al., 2022): IV aviptadil (synthetic VIP) received FDA Fast Track Designation for critical COVID-19 respiratory failure. A 60-day RCT in 196 patients showed improved recovery and survival.

Stacking Protocols

VIP + Thymosin Alpha-1

Peptide Dose Route Timing Purpose
VIP 50 mcg AM/PM SC Daily Anti-inflammatory, neuroprotection
Thymosin Alpha-1 1.5 mg SC AM, 5on/2off Immune surveillance, NK/dendritic cell support

VIP + BPC-157

Peptide Dose Route Timing Purpose
VIP 50 mcg AM/PM SC Daily Systemic immune modulation
BPC-157 250-500 mcg SC Daily Gut healing, tissue repair

Especially relevant for CIRS patients with GI involvement.

VIP Nasal Spray Administration

Side Effects & Safety

  • Transient hypotension — slight blood pressure drop (VIP is a potent vasodilator)
  • Mild headache — typically resolves within days
  • Nasal irritation — intranasal route, mild burning
  • Loose stools/diarrhea — VIP affects GI motility
  • Facial flushing — vasodilatory effect, uncommon at standard doses
  • Elevated lipase — monitor as safety marker; significant elevation warrants dose reduction
  • Exclusion criteria — trial protocols and Shoemaker guidance document exclusion criteria including active MARCoNS colonization, ongoing mold exposure, VIPoma/pancreatic tumors, and pregnancy

mg to Units Conversion

On a standard 100-unit insulin syringe, each "unit" equals 0.01 mL (so 100 units = 1 mL). Once VIP is reconstituted, the conversion from a target dose to syringe units depends on the chosen dilution.

The two reconstitution ratios most often described in community protocols are below.

Reconstitution A: 5 mg vial + 5 mL BAC water (1 mg/mL) — the standard dilution from the Quick Reference above.

Dose (mcg) Volume (mL) Units (insulin syringe)
25 mcg 0.025 mL 2.5 units
50 mcg 0.05 mL 5 units
75 mcg 0.075 mL 7.5 units
100 mcg 0.1 mL 10 units

Reconstitution B: 5 mg vial + 10 mL BAC water (500 mcg/mL) — more BAC water for larger, easier-to-measure draws.

Dose (mcg) Volume (mL) Units (insulin syringe)
25 mcg 0.05 mL 5 units
50 mcg 0.1 mL 10 units
75 mcg 0.15 mL 15 units
100 mcg 0.2 mL 20 units

These conversions reflect the dilutions documented in community reconstitution protocols. They report how the math is described, not a recommended dosing schedule.

Core Supplies for This Protocol

The essentials for running any reconstituted injectable: cold storage, accurate syringes, alcohol prep pads, and metabolic tracking.

Cooluli Classic 4L Mini Fridge
Storage

Cooluli Classic 4L Mini Fridge

Compact thermoelectric mini-fridge with heat/cool toggle. The most-mentioned dedicated peptide-storage fridge in research community sources — fits ~20 vials and runs quietly.

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BD Ultra-Fine 31G 0.3cc 5/16" Insulin Syringes (Box of 90)
Injection

BD Ultra-Fine 31G 0.3cc 5/16" Insulin Syringes (Box of 90)

0.3cc 31G syringes — each gradation marks 1 unit (vs 2 units on 1cc), making sub-50-unit peptide doses accurate. BD Ultra-Fine is the most widely-cited brand in peptide community sources.

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Med-Pride Alcohol Prep Pads — Medical-Grade, Individually Wrapped
Injection

Med-Pride Alcohol Prep Pads — Medical-Grade, Individually Wrapped

Medical-grade 70% isopropyl alcohol prep pads, individually wrapped and sterile single-use. Standard for cleaning vial stoppers and injection sites before sub-Q dosing.

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CONTOUR NEXT GEN Glucose Meter All-In-One Kit
Tracking

CONTOUR NEXT GEN Glucose Meter All-In-One Kit

Ascensia's CONTOUR NEXT GEN — the most clinically-validated home glucose meter. Includes 20 test strips + lancing device. Tracks the blood-sugar response GLP-1 users care about, especially during dose escalation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the standard VIP dose?
The most commonly documented protocol is 50 mcg subcutaneously twice daily (AM and PM), cycled 8 weeks on / 8 weeks off. Community reconstitution protocols describe a 5 mg vial with 5 mL bacteriostatic water (1 mg/mL concentration), where 50 mcg equals 5 units on an insulin syringe.
What is VIP peptide used for?
VIP is most extensively documented in published research for Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) from mold illness, where Shoemaker protocol studies have examined it as a final-step intervention. Research also covers pulmonary hypertension, neuroprotection, and circadian rhythm regulation.
How long does a VIP protocol last?
The standard subcutaneous protocol cycles 8 weeks on / 8 weeks off. The Shoemaker CIRS intranasal protocol runs 30 days initially, with extended grey matter restoration protocols of 12+ weeks.
Does VIP require a prescription?
Compounded VIP nasal spray requires a prescription. Research-grade VIP for subcutaneous injection is available through peptide vendors.
What are the side effects of VIP?
Across published trials, VIP has shown a favorable safety profile at studied doses. Mild side effects may include transient hypotension (vasodilation), mild headache, slight nasal irritation (intranasal route), and occasional loose stools. Serious adverse events are rare.
What does the Shoemaker protocol specify about VIP and active mold exposure?
The Shoemaker protocol specifies that patients pass all preceding steps — including removal from mold exposure and clearance of MARCoNS — before starting VIP. The protocol describes starting VIP during active exposure as a step that can worsen outcomes.
How should VIP be stored?
Refrigerate at 2-8°C, protected from light. Reconstituted solution should be used within 28 days. Compounded nasal sprays have a 30-90 day beyond-use date depending on the pharmacy.
Can VIP be stacked with other peptides?
VIP is sometimes used alongside BPC-157, thymosin alpha-1, or KPV in integrative protocols. Any combination should be managed by a qualified healthcare provider.

References

Citation Topic PMID
Shoemaker et al., Health (2013) Intranasal VIP corrects CIRS — reduced C4a and TGF-B1 in water-damaged-building exposure Not PubMed-indexed (Health 5:396–401)
Shoemaker et al., Internal Medicine Review (2017) Intranasal VIP safely restores grey matter nuclei volume in CIRS Not PubMed-indexed (Intern Med Rev 3(4))
Petkov et al., J Clin Invest (2003) VIP for primary pulmonary hypertension, first human trial 12727925
Aton et al., Nat Neurosci (2005) VIP mediates circadian rhythmicity in clock neurons 15750589
Youssef et al., Crit Care Med (2022) IV aviptadil in critical COVID-19, 60-day RCT 36044317
Delgado et al., Pharmacol Rev (2004) VIP significance in immunomodulation 15169929
Gonzalez-Rey et al., J Leukoc Biol (2005) VIP generates regulatory T cells in vivo 16204628
Said et al., Circulation (2007) VIP-knockout mice develop pulmonary hypertension 17309917
Ganea et al., Acta Physiol (2015) VIP effects on immune cells, inflammatory/autoimmune diseases 25345837

For educational and research purposes only. This is not medical advice. VIP is a prescription compound for CIRS protocols and should only be used under medical supervision.