Filtering

[pavlovs]

My most recent order of Glutathione from Acecosm wasn’t delivered after two weeks and that company is less help than Chinese UGL vendors. lol 0 out of 5 stars.

Yeah, makes sense. That may be true of the other Korean companies as well. There's a lot of stockpiling going on by Americans because of tariff issues and items less than $800.00 no longer being exempt. Also, like peptides, there's been an increased focus and spotlight on the do-it-yourself cosmetic procedure crowd. Probably off of the Korean companies are as overwhelmed with orders. Btw, I didn't get glutathione from Acecosm, they don't sell my preferred brand (or at least they didn't used to), the other two sell Luthione.

 

[yobculture]

What kit do you use? I wouldn't mind starting if I could get an affordable and reliable source for the kits.

Several people have told you where to get kits, including me in the post below. I also mention that you can source supplies for your own kit by looking at the supplies listed in the Filtering Kit (CLICK LINK). I started with the kit because I liked having a visual of exactly what I needed. After that, I was able to get my own filtering supplies based off that kit. That will save a lot of money.

I don’t have any wisdom to share, but I think filtering is a good idea. I didn’t want to do it because it looked too fussy, but it was a lot easier than I thought it would be. The Filtering Kit that a lot of people buy is presently sold out, but you can recreate the supplies by looking at their list and purchasing separately. The instructional video here is too long and fussy, but it will give you a good idea of the process. I still don’t understand why one would need to put a filter on the vent needle, since you’re probably going to inject air into the vial later when you dose, but whatever. They probably just want to sell more filters.

I personally like this video the best, save for the filter on the venting needle. (I don’t put a filter on the venting needle. Not medical advice.)

 

[nonyabizznez]

Actually, that’s a relief! That’s all I do, too. I was probably just impressed because you wore a mask and gloves. I don’t wear a mask, but sometimes I wear gloves. It’s hard getting the pull-apart filter packaging opened while wearing gloves, so it just annoys me. If I don’t wear gloves, I just spray my hands thoroughly with my bottle of alcohol.

I don't wear gloves when I recon/filter and I don't filter the vent needle. I'm no authority but it's my personal comfort level. I've yet to see any real benefit from filtering a vent except maybe for the people selling filters.

 

[desinr-gal]

Several people have told you where to get kits, including me in the post below. I also mention that you can source supplies for your own kit by looking at the supplies listed in the Filtering Kit (CLICK LINK). I started with the kit because I liked having a visual of exactly what I needed. After that, I was able to get my own filtering supplies based off that kit. That will save a lot of money.

I had these same questions.. I went to Ali express to get all the stuff and then found out they won't ship anything to me. arrg. I guessed the vent filter is because there's a vacuum in the vial so it sucks in air. If your space isnt super sterile that air could contaminate?? I was wondering about that as I live in a very humid non sterile place. I have another question too, How much volume of product can one filter filter? I saw other posts where a larger filter than was used in the video is recommended. not the 4mm.

Will filtering save me from having to ship out to test?

 

[pavlovs]

https://peptidetest.com/collections/lab-supplies

The site that yobculture posted is a website where you can order a filter kit, enough for several vials. I bought my first kit from this site, they are legit. Now I buy just what I need from other sources. You can also buy individual pieces if you'd rather.

The possibility of air contaminating the vials is real, this is why some folks may choose not to filter, and others choose to filter with an air purifier present.

The larger filters lose a little more of the solution than the small filters. Either should be fine for peptides. I use one filter per 1 syringe of solution, regardless of the amount of solution in that syringe.

Filtering doesn't replace a test. Filtering doesn't tell you the purity or quantity (mgs) that is in the vial. Filtering can remove bacterial contaminates, or particles that don't need to be there, like flies and seamonkeys

If I got any of this wrong, I am sure someone will tell me Good luck!

 

[yobculture]

The possibility of air contaminating the vials is real, this is why some folks may choose not to filter, and others choose to filter with an air purifier present.

I guess this is the part that really confuses me. It seems that many, if not most, people inject air into their reconstituted vial each time before extracting their peptide. Are they contaminating the contents of their vial each time they do that?

 

[iamiPAC]

https://peptidetest.com/collections/lab-supplies

The site that yobculture posted is a website where you can order a filter kit, enough for several vials. I bought my first kit from this site, they are legit. Now I buy just what I need from other sources. You can also buy individual pieces if you'd rather.

The possibility of air contaminating the vials is real, this is why some folks may choose not to filter, and others choose to filter with an air purifier present.

The larger filters lose a little more of the solution than the small filters. Either should be fine for peptides. I use one filter per 1 syringe of solution, regardless of the amount of solution in that syringe.

Filtering doesn't replace a test. Filtering doesn't tell you the purity or quantity (mgs) that is in the vial. Filtering can remove bacterial contaminates, or particles that don't need to be there, like flies and seamonkeys

If I got any of this wrong, I am sure someone will tell me Good luck!

NOT THE SEAMONKEYS! LOL..

 

[pavlovs]

I am not a scientist by any means, but I do read a lot. I think that a generally healthy person may not have to worry too much about the air, as long as the environment is relatively clean. Filtering the solution shouldn't add anymore air than we add from a non filtered vial, or at least add no more air than those who pull air

into the syringe and then shoot the room air into the vial to equalize the pressure.

I don't know that as a fact, though. I'm just hypothesizing that one is no worse than the other.

I guess this is the part that really confuses me. It seems that many, if not most, people inject air into their reconstituted vial each time before extracting their peptide. Are they contaminating the contents of their vial each time they do that?

 

[Calm Logic]

There's also other reasons to filter, such as to avoid subclinical inflammation from particulates formed during recon.

 

[Calm Logic]

That's the first type mentioned here:

Particulates can come from a wide variety of sources, including:

The drug substance itself: Yes, if a peptide (or any drug compound) doesn't fully dissolve, or if it aggregates or precipitates out of solution (due to changes in pH, temperature, concentration, or interaction with other components), it can form particulates. Peptides are particularly prone to aggregation and insolubility, especially longer or more hydrophobic ones.

Excipients: Other ingredients in a formulation might not fully dissolve.

Container/Packaging: Small pieces of glass, rubber (from stoppers), plastic, or metal can shed from vials, syringes, or other packaging materials during manufacturing, storage, or handling.

Manufacturing Equipment: Wear and tear on equipment can introduce metal, plastic, or other debris.

Environmental Contaminants: Dust, fibers (from clothing, wipes), skin flakes, or other airborne particles can enter a product if manufacturing environments are not sufficiently controlled (e.g., cleanrooms).

Chemical Reactions: Unexpected chemical reactions within the product over time can lead to the formation of insoluble byproducts.

Microbial Contamination: While not solid in the same way, microbial growth (bacteria, fungi) can also be considered a particulate contaminant.

 

[mlke6]

people inject air into their reconstituted vial each time before extracting their peptide

That's something I only did in the very beginning. I've watched videos where people inject air into their bac water as well.

 

[lazygardener]

While test peptides are likely not made to full FDA standards in the real compounding pharmacies filtered needles are almost never used. Only practical application is when small all glass (no stopper or cap) ampules are actually broken open, the filter needle prevents risk of glass particles alone. As soon as drawn up the filter needle is discarded and new needle attached. I have zero plans to ever use a filter needle for glp1s. Plus filter needles will not filter out things which could actually cause problems like chemicals and pyrogens.

The raws used a compounding pharmacies are tested for sterility, and they are supposed to also regularly test the sterile area used for recon to ensure it's also sterile.

On top of that, they actually do generally filter as filtering through an appropriate filter is an acceptable way of ensuring the final product is sterile (this is large scale recon, not one fill needle at a time since they don't use needles to fill vials prior to capping). So yes, compound pharmacies absolutely filter.

 

[GLP1Pharmacist]

The raws used a compounding pharmacies are tested for sterility, and they are supposed to also regularly test the sterile area used for recon to ensure it's also sterile.

On top of that, they actually do generally filter as filtering through an appropriate filter is an acceptable way of ensuring the final product is sterile (this is large scale recon, not one fill needle at a time since they don't use needles to fill vials prior to capping). So yes, compound pharmacies absolutely filter.

Sorry you are wrong. I even inspect some of these places as part of my job. Depending on classification, likely 304a or 304b requirements differ. The patient level routine compounding pharmacies are not testing actual compounds, "making sterile" or filtering. They buy sterile, prepare sterile for patient use. If they fall into another category of commercial large scale production and supply people other than end users other requirements and regulations come into play where sterilizing batch product testing, etc regulations apply.

 

[Calm Logic]

I haven't been filtering for UGL AAS like test-c, so I have started to not filter sometimes for peptides, like using a vial of tirz (T10 plus overfill) for relatively single use.

I recently read that C. acnes is so prevalent that it is not uncommon to show up as a false positive when doing pathology samples during surgery. But one can use that to argue either way.

@GLP1Pharmacist, @zpped, and anyone else:

What is your guess that the large compounding pharmacies for GLPs actually filter (like Southend Pharmacy for Brello Health)?

 

[GLP1Pharmacist]

For patient specific compound I doubt they are filtering at all. If they are doing bulk compounding, batching not based on specific patient need they may have to filter or otherwise sterilize. I have surveyed dozens of places that compound and filtering is not occurring unless glass ampules are being broken. They start with sterile products, compound in an aseptic environment such as compounding room with isolater/compounding hood and assign expiration date.

 

[joseblo]

If you're willing to say, I'd like to learn a bit more about the compounders. I definitely noticed differences when I switched between them, but couldn't tell why. I assumed it was a difference in material (eg freebase vs acetate etc) rather than in actual amount of peptide. I thought at the time that everything was made in USA/Europe (EL/NN), but I've started doubting that now.

If they aren't using freebase raw, then it seems like they might do some form of reconstitution at scale. That's the only time I could see them filtering. Otherwise, it's easier to just use known sterile equipment, containers, etc in a hood/clean room. What I appreciate about them and pharma is the testing and supply chain integrity that they CAN provide at price and scale.

 

[JGinTexas]

I haven't been filtering for UGL AAS like test-c, so I have started to not filter sometimes for peptides, like using a vial of tirz (T10 plus overfill) for relatively single use.

I recently read that C. acnes is so prevalent that it is not uncommon to show up as a false positive when doing pathology samples during surgery. But one can use that to argue either way.

@GLP1Pharmacist , @zpped , and anyone else:

What is your guess that the large compounding pharmacies for GLPs actually filter (like Southend Pharmacy for Brello Health)?

Would you think c. acnes is a major concern when reconning? Test subject has had issues in the past, unrelated to peptide use.

 

[Calm Logic]

Would you think c. acnes is a major concern when reconning? Test subject has had issues in the past, unrelated to peptide use.

No, it is hard to get clinically infected with C. acnes with subq or even IM injections. It's usually only a concern during shoulder implant surgery. For some reason, it is especially attracted to implants of the shoulder area.

I learned most of this by going with an older relative to their appointment at the infectious disease department of a hospital, after they tested positive for C. acnes after shoulder implant surgery. Since they had some clinical symptoms last year that are associated with infection (stomach issues resulting in major weight loss), they were given three months of amoxicillin after testing positive this year after a second, revision surgery.

 

[JGinTexas]

No, it is hard to get clinically infected with C. acnes with subq or even IM injections. It's usually only a concern during shoulder implant surgery. For some reason, it is especially attracted to implants of the shoulder area.

I learned most of this by going with an older relative to their appointment at the infectious disease department of a hospital, after they tested positive for C. acnes after shoulder implant surgery. Since they had some clinical symptoms last year that are associated with infection (stomach issues resulting in major weight loss), they were given three months of amoxicillin.

Good to know and yes I am familiar with C. Acnes with RS as well for similar post surgery issues.