Semax
ACTH(4-7)PGP (Methionyl-Glutamyl-Histidyl-Phenylalanyl-Prolyl-Glycyl-Proline)
Access and compounding status raise extra safety and legal questions.
A synthetic peptide developed and used clinically in Russia as a nasal spray for stroke recovery and improving mental sharpness. It boosts natural brain growth factors and has brain-protective properties, but is not approved by the US FDA or European regulators.
This entry is a cited research summary, not an established treatment reference. Dosing language is included as source context, not as medical instruction.
Semax has moderate clinical evidence but is not FDA-approved.
Access and compounding status raise extra safety and legal questions.
Safety Summary
No published Phase I/II trial or regulatory document with tabulated adverse-event frequencies (percentages) or formal severity grading was identified. The absence of quantitative incidence tables is itself noted in multiple literature reviews. No reproducible signals of systemic organ toxicity, anaphylaxis, or other consistent serious adverse events (SAEs) were identified. No tolerance, dependence, or withdrawal syndromes have been reported. No carcinogenicity signals found. Anecdotal reports suggest higher doses may increase overstimulation and insomnia risk. Long-term human safety data are limited.
Clinical check-in
If real-world use or exposure is being considered, review potential interactions, contraindications, and monitoring needs with a licensed clinician rather than relying on summary copy alone.
Cited sources
Every claim on this page links to one of the 12 sources below. Identifiers are PubMed (PMID), ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT), or DOI; click through to the source of record before acting on a claim.
- 1PMID 29798983PubMed
- 2Synthetic ACTH analogue Semax displays nootropic-like activity in humansReference
- 3Clinical study of Semax in neurodegenerative diseasesReference
- 4PMID 11517472PubMed
- 5Results of investigation of neuroprotective efficacy of Semax (optic nerve study)Reference
- 7PMID 16635254PubMed
- 8PMID 24735249PubMed
- 9doi:10.3390/ijms22126179DOI
- 10PMID 40692165PubMed
- 11PMID 17385423PubMed
- 12PMID 30225715PubMed
- 13PMID 18431004PubMed