SS-31 50mg vials are a common research size. Learn how reconstitution math works, what dosing discussions exist, and what to check before buying.
SS-31 50mg refers to a single vial containing 50 milligrams of lyophilized SS-31, the research form of the mitochondria-targeted tetrapeptide elamipretide. That vial size is popular because the reconstitution math is simple and 50 milligrams supports a longer laboratory protocol than a 10 mg vial. SS-31 is not FDA-approved for human use in the United States, so every 50 mg vial sold today is intended strictly as a research reference material.
What SS-31 (Elamipretide) Actually Is
SS-31 is a synthetic four-amino-acid peptide made of D-arginine, dimethyltyrosine, lysine, and phenylalanine amide. It is an aromatic-cationic molecule that concentrates in the inner mitochondrial membrane, where it binds to cardiolipin.
Because it localizes to mitochondria, SS-31 is studied as a way to stabilize the electron transport chain and limit oxidative damage rather than as a broad-spectrum antioxidant. Researchers have tested elamipretide in Barth syndrome, primary mitochondrial myopathy, dry age-related macular degeneration, and heart failure.
Elamipretide has not been approved by the FDA for any indication, and several late-stage trials missed their primary endpoints. That regulatory status matters when marketing copy treats SS-31 50mg as a finished medicine instead of an investigational compound.
SS-31 50mg Reconstitution Math
Most discussions of ss-31 reconstitution and dosage start with the same question: how much diluent should go into the vial? Bacteriostatic water is the usual choice because the benzyl alcohol content slows bacterial growth in a multi-use vial.
| Diluent volume | Final concentration | Volume that delivers 1 mg | Practical note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mL | 50 mg/mL | 0.02 mL (2 units on a U-100 syringe) | Very concentrated; hard to measure small amounts |
| 2 mL | 25 mg/mL | 0.04 mL (4 units) | Compact but still dense |
| 5 mL | 10 mg/mL | 0.1 mL (10 units) | Most common approach for a 50 mg vial |
| 10 mL | 5 mg/mL | 0.2 mL (20 units) | Easiest measurement, larger injection volume |
Once reconstituted, the solution should be refrigerated at 2 to 8 °C, protected from light, and kept away from repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Many researchers work through a vial within a few weeks rather than storing it long term.
A 50 mg SS-31 vial reconstituted with 5 mL of bacteriostatic water yields a concentration of 10 mg/mL, which is the simplest baseline for calculating any further dilution.
How SS-31 Dosing Is Discussed in Research and Community Protocols
Clinical trials have used elamipretide at daily subcutaneous doses measured in the tens of milligrams and at weight-based intravenous infusions. Those numbers come from supervised studies with monitoring, and they should not be copied into a self-directed protocol.
Community write-ups vary far more widely, with reported ranges from roughly 1 mg to 10 mg per day, cycles of four to eight weeks, and occasional five-days-on, two-days-off schedules. None of those schedules has been validated in controlled human trials.
There is no established human dose of SS-31 outside of clinical trials. Anyone weighing use should speak with a licensed healthcare professional, since dosing questions also involve injection technique, sterility, and possible interactions with prescription medications.
SS-31 Benefits and Side Effects Reported So Far
Any honest review of ss-31 peptide benefits and side effects has to separate trial data from anecdote. Laboratory and animal work points to improved mitochondrial ATP production and reduced cardiolipin oxidation, while human results have been mixed.
- Reported benefits: better mitochondrial efficiency in cell and animal models, signs of cardiac and skeletal muscle support, and limited retinal effects in early eye studies.
- Trial reality: several Phase 2 and Phase 3 programs failed to hit their primary endpoints, including walking-distance measures in mitochondrial myopathy.
- Reported side effects: injection site pain, redness, or swelling, plus headache, nausea, and fatigue, generally described as mild and temporary.
- Unknowns: long-term safety, effects on pregnancy, and interactions with common medications remain poorly characterized.
Delivery route also gets attention. A ss-31 peptide nasal spray is promoted as a needle-free alternative because SS-31 has poor oral bioavailability, but human nasal absorption data are thin and inconsistent.
Buying and Handling SS-31 50mg
When people search ss-31 peptide buy online, the real question is how to tell a legitimate research supplier from a repackager. Vial size and label design say very little about quality.
- Ask for a certificate of analysis from an independent lab, not one produced by the vendor.
- Confirm HPLC purity of 98% or higher with a matching mass spectrometry result.
- Check that the lot number on the vial matches the lot on the COA.
- Look for endotoxin and sterility testing if the material is intended for injection research.
- Verify cold-pack shipping and written storage instructions.
Comparing price per milligram is more honest than comparing price per vial. A bargain 50 mg vial that ships warm or arrives without documentation is not a bargain, and no US supplier may legally sell SS-31 as a dietary supplement or an approved human drug.
Combining SS-31 With Other Peptides
Search interest in ss-31 and mots-c together comes from the fact that both peptides are tied to mitochondrial biology, yet they work through different pathways. SS-31 binds cardiolipin on the inner membrane, while MOTS-c influences AMPK signaling and metabolic gene expression.
No published human trial has tested that combination, so any stacking protocol is guesswork. Combining compounds increases the chance of unexpected interactions and makes it harder to identify which agent caused a side effect.
SS-31 50mg is a vial size, not a dose, and the number printed on the label tells you nothing about how much to use. Because elamipretide remains investigational, any decision about it belongs in a conversation with a qualified healthcare professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SS-31 50mg used for?
SS-31 50mg is a 50 milligram vial of lyophilized elamipretide sold as a laboratory research material. Scientists use it to study mitochondrial function, cardiolipin binding, and oxidative stress in cell and animal models. It is not FDA-approved for human use in the United States.
How much bacteriostatic water do I add to a 50 mg SS-31 vial?
Adding 5 mL of bacteriostatic water produces a concentration of 10 mg/mL, which is the most common starting point. Using 2 mL yields 25 mg/mL, and 10 mL yields 5 mg/mL for easier measurement of small amounts. More diluent means a larger injection volume for the same amount of peptide.
Is SS-31 the same thing as elamipretide?
Yes. SS-31 is the research shorthand for elamipretide, which has also been called MTP-131 and Bendavia. It is a synthetic tetrapeptide developed by Stealth BioTherapeutics and studied in mitochondrial and cardiac conditions without gaining FDA approval.
This page provides educational research information and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.