Peptide Encyclopedia / Semax
EncyclopediaSemax is a synthetic peptide based on a fragment of ACTH, developed in Russia and used there as an intranasal treatment for cognitive disorders and ischemic stroke. It carries no FDA or EU approval and sits on Russia's list of essential drugs. Educational only, not medical advice.
| Also known as | Semax, ACTH(4-10) Pro-Gly-Pro, Methionyl-glutamyl-histidyl-phenylalanyl-prolyl-glycyl-proline |
| Regulatory status | Semax is NOT FDA-approved and is not approved in the US or EU. |
Semax is NOT FDA-approved and is not approved in the US or EU. It is registered/approved only in Russia (developed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences; approved there in the 1990s), where it is used as an intranasal preparation for cognitive disorders and ischemic stroke and has appeared on Russia's Vital and Essential Medicines list. In the US it is an unapproved research chemical.
Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide analog of the ACTH(4-10) fragment, modified with a C-terminal Pro-Gly-Pro to resist enzymatic degradation while retaining neurotropic activity without stimulating cortisol release. Reported mechanisms include rapid induction of BDNF and NGF expression and their receptors, neuroprotective and antioxidant effects, modulation of monoaminergic systems, and reduction of post-ischemic inflammatory cascades. Mechanistic data are largely from animal/cell studies. Pharmacokinetics (half-life Short plasma half-life (parent peptide rapidly degraded, on the order of minutes); CNS/behavioral effects reported to outlast plasma presence after intranasal dosing.): Administered intranasally in Russian clinical use. The peptide is rapidly hydrolyzed by aminopeptidases; the Pro-Gly-Pro tail prolongs activity relative to the unmodified ACTH fragment. Detailed validated human PK parameters are limited and largely in Russian-language sources. No robustly verified Western-standard human PK half-life found.
Human evidence is concentrated in small Russian studies of acute ischemic stroke and cognitive/neurological conditions, reporting improved recovery of neurological function when added to standard therapy. These trials are generally small, often non-randomized or non-placebo-controlled, and not replicated to Western regulatory standards. Animal data on neuroprotection and BDNF/NGF induction are more extensive. Honest level: limited-human. Reported use: In Russian clinical practice Semax is reported as an intranasal solution (e.g., 0.1% for cognitive use; higher 1% concentrations reported in stroke protocols, often several thousand mcg/day in divided intranasal doses). Off-label community use elsewhere is intranasal for cognitive/nootropic purposes. These reflect reported practice; rigorous Western dose-finding trials are lacking.
In available Russian studies Semax was generally reported as well tolerated with few adverse effects at studied intranasal doses. Comprehensive long-term safety, large adverse-event databases, and Western regulatory review are lacking. Research-chemical sourcing carries purity and sterility risks. No verified large-scale safety dataset found..
Pregnancy and breastfeeding (no adequate safety data), No formally established clinical contraindications due to limited trial data.
No well-characterized drug interactions documented in peer-reviewed literature
Log every dose and injection site, get the reconstitution and units math automatically, follow your cycle, and record how you feel, then export a provider report. Semax tracker, free to start.
PepWise is an informational and educational tracking tool, not medical advice and not a medical device. Semax may be experimental, restricted, or prescription-only; many research peptides are not FDA-approved. Consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, changing, or stopping any protocol. Operated by STC Consulting, Inc.
