NAD+ dosage depends entirely on how you take it. Oral supplements need 500mg or more daily because most is destroyed before reaching your cells. Subcutaneous injections bypass that problem, so 100-200mg three times a week is enough. IV therapy goes higher because it is used for acute protocols. Here is exactly how much to take for your goal and delivery method.
Key Takeaways
- Dosage varies 5-10x between oral and injectable — same molecule, completely different delivery math
- Oral NAD+ has 5-15% bioavailability. NMN is better at 40-60%, making it more cost-effective
- SubQ injections: 100-200mg, 3x/week is the standard protocol backed by clinical logic
- IV NAD+ therapy: 250-750mg per session, always infused slowly to avoid side effects
- More is not always better. High doses increase flushing and nausea without proportional benefit
- Start low and titrate up regardless of delivery method
Why NAD+ Dosage Differs by Form
The bioavailability gap between oral and injectable NAD+ is enormous. This is why the dosage numbers look so different:
- Oral NAD+: Most is broken down in the gut before reaching circulation. Only 5-15% reaches cells.
- Oral NMN: A precursor that converts to NAD+ inside cells. Better oral bioavailability at 40-60%.
- SubQ injection: Bypasses the gut entirely. 85-95% reaches circulation.
- IV infusion: Delivered directly into blood. Near 100% bioavailability, fastest onset.
| Form | Bioavailability | Effective Dose Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral NAD+ | 5-15% | 500-1,000mg/day | Most is wasted in gut |
| Oral NMN | 40-60% | 250-500mg/day | Converts to NAD+ in cells |
| SubQ injection | 85-95% | 100-300mg/dose | Best value, home use |
| IV infusion | 99%+ | 250-750mg/session | Fastest onset, clinic required |
| Nasal spray | 30-50% | 50-100mg/day | Limited data |
| Sublingual | 40-60% | 100-300mg/day | Better than standard oral |
NAD+ Oral Supplement Dosage
For oral supplementation, the dose needs to be high enough to overcome poor absorption:
- Oral NAD+: 500-1,000mg/day. Studies showing benefits used 300-1,000mg.
- NMN: 250-500mg/day is the evidence-backed range. Some researchers use up to 1,000mg.
- NR (nicotinamide riboside): 250-500mg/day, similar mechanism to NMN.
Timing: Morning with food to reduce nausea. Some take it pre-workout for the energy effect.
Cycling: Can be taken daily long-term. Some protocols use 5 days on, 2 off.
NAD+ Injection Dosage (SubQ)
Subcutaneous injections bypass gut absorption entirely. This means you need far less than oral to achieve the same effect.
| Goal | Dose | Frequency | Timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | 50mg | 3x/week | Morning | Build tolerance first |
| General wellness | 100-150mg | 3x/week | Morning | Most users stay here |
| Anti-aging focus | 200mg | 3x/week | Morning | Standard protocol |
| Intensive (short-term) | 200-300mg | Daily | Morning | Max 2-4 weeks |
| Long-term maintenance | 100mg | 2x/week | Flexible | Sustainable long-term |
Reconstitution: Add 2mL bacteriostatic water to a 1,000mg vial for a concentration of 500mg/mL. A 100mg dose = 0.2mL. Use the reconstitution calculator to get exact volumes.
Injection site: Abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Rotate weekly to avoid buildup at one site.
NAD+ IV Therapy Dosage
IV dosing is higher because it is typically used for acute intensive protocols, not daily maintenance:
| Protocol | Dose | Frequency | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard wellness | 250-500mg | 1-2x/week | Ongoing |
| Intensive anti-aging | 500-750mg | 2x/week | 4-8 weeks |
| Addiction recovery | 750-1,500mg | Daily | 5-10 days |
| Maintenance | 250mg | Monthly | Long-term |
Critical: Always infuse slowly. Start at 1mg/minute. Side effects (flushing, nausea, heart racing) are caused by infusing too fast, not by the dose itself. See the NAD+ IV therapy guide for the full protocol.
NAD+ Dosage by Goal
| Goal | Best Form | Recommended Dose | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy and fatigue | SubQ injection | 100-200mg 3x/week | 2-4 weeks |
| Anti-aging | SubQ or IV | 200mg SubQ 3x/wk or 500mg IV monthly | 3+ months |
| Cognitive function | SubQ injection | 150-200mg 3x/week | 4-8 weeks |
| Addiction recovery | IV | 750-1,500mg daily x 5-10 days | Acute only |
| Athletic recovery | SubQ injection | 100mg 3-5x/week | Ongoing |
| Budget-conscious | Oral NMN | 250-500mg/day | Daily, long-term |
How to Titrate NAD+ Dosage
Regardless of delivery method, start low and increase gradually:
- Oral NMN: Start at 250mg/day. Increase to 500mg after 2 weeks if tolerated.
- SubQ injection: Start at 50mg per injection. Increase to 100mg after 2-3 sessions, then 200mg if no issues.
- IV: The clinic controls this. Always communicate any symptoms immediately.
Signs you need to lower the dose:
- Persistent nausea
- Excessive flushing (especially with oral)
- Insomnia or over-stimulation
- Heart pounding or palpitations (IV-specific, from too-fast infusion)
NAD+ Side Effects by Dose Range
Side effects are dose-dependent and mostly manageable:
| Dose Level | SubQ Injection | Oral NMN | Common Effects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 50-100mg | 250mg/day | Minimal, well tolerated |
| Medium | 100-200mg | 500mg/day | Occasional mild flushing |
| High | 200-300mg | 750-1,000mg/day | Flushing, nausea more common |
NAD+ Dosage FAQ
References
- Yoshino J, et al. Nicotinamide mononucleotide, a key NAD+ intermediate, treats the pathophysiology of diet- and age-induced diabetes in mice. Cell Metabolism. 2011;14(4):528-536.
- Irie J, et al. Effect of oral administration of nicotinamide mononucleotide on clinical parameters and nicotinamide metabolite levels in healthy Japanese men. Endocrine Journal. 2020;67(2):153-160.
- Gariani K, et al. Eliciting the mitochondrial unfolded protein response by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide repletion reverses fatty liver disease in mice. Hepatology. 2016;63(4):1190-1204.
- Verdin E. NAD+ in aging, metabolism, and neurodegeneration. Science. 2015;350(6265):1208-1213.
- Rajman L, Chwalek K, Sinclair DA. Therapeutic Potential of NAD-Boosting Molecules: the In Vivo Evidence. Cell Metabolism. 2018;27(3):529-547.
The information in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement or compound. Results vary by individual.