Research-only educational guide

Semax Dosage Calculator and Chart

A structured summary of the published literature discussing Semax, including reported dosing concepts, mechanistic discussion, experimental applications, and safety notes described in research and clinical contexts.

Semax Dosage Chart: Quick Breakdown

The chart below summarizes dosing structures described in the guide as an informational reference only (not a clinical guideline).

Summary of example dosing formats described in the guide (informational reference only).
Formulation Starting daily exposure (as described) Titration range (as described) Cycle duration Washout Alternative regimen
Intranasal (spray/drops) ~600–900 mcg/day (split into 2–3 doses) Adjust based on response (guide narrative) Up to 30 days Equal to cycle duration Up to 60 days at ~600 mcg/day
Aliquot dosing (as described) ~500 mcg once daily Titrate up to ~1,000 mcg once or twice daily Up to 30 days Equal to cycle duration Up to 60 days at ~500 mcg/day

The guide also discusses dose schedules in approved intranasal formulations (0.1% and 1%) across indications, including short-course use for stroke contexts and longer short cycles for fatigue/cognitive contexts. [11–14]

What Is Semax?

Semax is described as a neuroactive peptide affecting the central nervous system, with neurotrophic, neuroregulatory, and neuroprotective properties, and is discussed as belonging to the melanocortin family of compounds. [1]

The guide describes Semax as a synthetic analog of ACTH(4–10), derived from a short fragment (Pro8-Gly9-Pro10 ACTH(4–10)) and composed of seven amino-acid residues. [1]

Clinical use is described in the guide in relation to ischemic insults, with human study discussion also describing nootropic-like activity (attention and short-term memory). [2]

Semax Benefits (Research Context)

The items below summarize representative findings discussed in the guide and its cited sources. These are research findings, not clinical claims.

Ischemic brain disease (clinical context discussed)

  • Guide discussion describes regression of neurological symptoms and improved recovery in chronic ischemic brain disease contexts. [3]
  • Antiplatelet-related discussion is described alongside neurotrophic mechanisms in the guide narrative. [3]

Alcohol delirium (complex treatment context)

  • A 30-patient alcohol delirium report is summarized as describing improvements in asthenic disorders and cognitive functions. [4]

Innate immune / neutrophil “respiratory burst”

  • A study is cited describing Semax effects on the respiratory burst in human neutrophils. [5]

Peptic ulcer healing (clinical study discussed)

  • A clinical study is summarized as reporting faster ulcer healing when Semax was used alongside basic ulcer therapy. [6]

Side Effects / Safety Notes

The guide describes numerous preclinical and clinical investigations with no major adverse effects reported in the referenced examples. [7,8]

Clinical examples cited

  • A glaucoma cohort study is cited as reporting no adverse effects after one month of administration. [7]
  • A resting-state fMRI volunteer study is cited as reporting no adverse side effects following intranasal administration. [8]

BDNF note (context discussed)

The guide includes a cautionary note that BDNF-related pathways may be relevant to hair-cycle biology in androgenetic alopecia discussions, and cites neurotrophin literature in that context. [9]

Any research protocol should be designed with appropriate oversight, endpoints, and monitoring aligned with institutional requirements.

Dosage Calculator and Guide (Research Context)

The guide describes Semax dosing primarily via intranasal spray/drops and also includes a sample research protocol narrative for subcutaneous administration.

Intranasal Semax: approved formulations discussed

The guide describes two approved intranasal formulations (0.1% and 1%) with indication-specific dosing. [11]

Formulation (as described) Example indication Daily total Split dosing Duration
0.1% intranasal drops Mental exhaustion (example) ~400–900 mcg/day 2–3 doses/day 3–5 days [12]
0.1% intranasal drops Optic nerve ailments (example) ~600–900 mcg/day 2–3 doses/day 7–10 days [12]
1% intranasal drops Mild–moderate stroke (example) ~6,000–12,000 mcg/day 3–4 doses/day at 3–4 hour intervals Up to 10 days [13]
1% intranasal drops Severe stroke (example) ~12,000–20,000 mcg/day 4–6 doses/day at 2.5–3 hour intervals Up to 10 days [13]

A study pattern is also described for stroke contexts as 10 active days followed by a 20-day washout and then another 10 active days. [14]

Intranasal transport / onset discussion

The guide discusses extraneuronal transport following intranasal administration, with reported onset in ~15–30 minutes and proposed olfactory epithelium pathway involvement. [10]

Subcutaneous Semax: sample research protocol narrative

The guide states there are no official clinical dosing guidelines for injectable Semax and provides a sample protocol narrative for research contexts. [15]

Parameter Guide example (informational reference)
Daily dose ~500 mcg to 1 mg subcutaneously (depending on responsiveness) [15]
Study duration ~4 to 8 weeks [15]
Rest period Rest period immediately following the study, equivalent to the study duration [15]
Handling note Refrigeration after reconstitution is described; monitor neurological/psychological status and EEG signs (as written). [15]

Cognitive, Mood, and Memory (Research Discussion)

The guide discusses Semax in relation to cognitive enhancement research and describes BDNF as a key factor in emotional state regulation, cognition, neurogenesis, and synaptic plasticity. [1]

BDNF and learning (animal data discussed)

The guide cites evidence that Semax can increase BDNF expression and TrkB receptor expression in animal models. [1]

Cerebral ischaemia / transcriptome-level findings

A rat cerebral ischaemia–reperfusion transcriptome analysis is cited as providing insights into protective properties of Semax (ACTH(4–7)PGP). [16]

Interpret all findings within the limitations of each study design and context (preclinical vs. clinical) and within appropriate oversight frameworks.

Reconstitution / Lab Supplies

The guide notes refrigeration/storage requirements for Semax preparations in research workflows (e.g., after reconstitution) and emphasizes monitoring in experimental settings. [15]

General lab-handling reminders (high-level)

  • Use aseptic technique per institutional protocol.
  • Label preparations with concentration, date, and lot.
  • Follow site requirements for storage temperature and stability monitoring.
  • Use appropriate disposal/sharps procedures per lab policy.

(This section is intentionally general and does not provide procedural instructions.)

Dosing Discussion (Verdict Summary)

The guide presents Semax as a research and clinical-discussion compound across CNS-related contexts, with cited literature spanning ischemic brain disease discussion, alcohol delirium treatment contexts, immune/neutrophil functional studies, ulcer therapy studies, and neuroprotective/transcriptomic findings. [3–6,16]

Dosing concepts on this page are research-summary statements and should be confined to controlled laboratory or regulated clinical research contexts where applicable.

References

  1. Dolotov OV, Karpenko EA, Seredenina TS, et al. (2006). Semax, an analogue of adrenocorticotropin (4–10), binds specifically and increases levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor protein in rat basal forebrain. Journal of Neurochemistry, 97:82–86. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-4159.2006.03658.x
  2. Kaplan A, Kochetova A, Nezavibathko V, Rjasina T, Ashmarin I. (1996). Synthetic ACTH analog Semax displays nootropic-like activity in humans. Neuroscience Research Communications. 19:115–123. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1520-6769(199609)19:2<115::AID-NRC6>3.0.CO;2-B
  3. Cherkasova K. P.6.013 Step forward in research of chronic ischemic brain disease during Semax therapy. European Neuropsychopharmacology. 2003;13(Suppl 4):S432. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0924-977X(03)92312-1
  4. Strelets NV, Utkin SY. P.6.020 Use of the neurometabolic drug “Semax” for complex treatment of alcohol delirium. European Neuropsychopharmacology. 2005;15(Suppl 2):S275. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0924-977X(05)80532-2
  5. Astashkin EI, Petrov EA, Bespalova Y, et al. Effects of Semax, a peptide ACTH4-10 analogue, on the respiratory burst in human neutrophils. Dokl Biol Sci. 2001 May–Jun;378:280–2. doi:10.1023/a:1019239413480. PMID: 12918351.
  6. Ivanikov IO, Brekhova ME, Samonina GE, Myasoedov NF, Ashmarin IP. Therapy of peptic ulcer with semax peptide. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2002 Jul;134(1):73–4. doi:10.1023/a:1020621124776. PMID: 12459874.
  7. Strakhov VV, Popova AA, Fedorov VN. (2014). The results of Semax neuroprotective efficacy investigation. Ophthalmology Journal, 7(4):43–51. doi:10.17816/OV2014443-51
  8. Lebedeva I, Panikratova YR, Sokolov O, et al. (2018). Effects of Semax on the Default Mode Network of the Brain. Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine. 165. doi:10.1007/s10517-018-4234-3
  9. Panchaprateep R, Korkij W, Asawanonda P. Brain-derived nerve factor and neurotrophins in androgenetic alopecia. Br J Dermatol. 2011 Nov;165(5):997–1002. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2011.10514.x. PMID: 21729031.
  10. Manchenko DM, Glazova NYu, Levitskaya N, Andreeva LA, Kamenskii AA, Myasoedov NF. (2012). The Nootropic and Analgesic Effects of Semax Given via Different Routes. Neuroscience and Behavioral Physiology. 42:264–270. doi:10.1007/s11055-012-9562-6
  11. P.5.021 Semax treatment effects in patients with postradiation brain lesion. European Neuropsychopharmacology. Retrieved August 3, 2022, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924977X05811861
  12. Ashmarin IP, Nezavibat'ko VN, Miasoedov NF, et al. Nootropnyĭ analog adrenokortikotropina 4-10-semaks (15-letniĭ opyt razrabotki i izucheniia) [A nootropic adrenocorticotropin analog 4-10-semax (15 years experience in its design and study)]. Zh Vyssh Nerv Deiat Im I P Pavlova. 1997;47(2):420–430.
  13. Vasil'eva EV, Salimov RM, Kovalev GI. Eksp Klin Farmakol. 2012;75(7):3–7.
  14. Glazova N, Sebentsova E, Manchenko D, et al. (2018). The Protective Effect of Semax in a Model of Stress-Induced Impairment of Memory and Behavior in White Rats. Biology Bulletin. 45:394–399. doi:10.1134/S1062359018040040
  15. Pae C. (2008). Therapeutic Possibility of “Semax” for Depression. CNS Spectrums, 13(1):20–21. doi:10.1017/S1092852900016102
  16. Filippenkov IB, Stavchansky VV, Denisova AE, et al. Novel Insights into the Protective Properties of ACTH(4-7)PGP (Semax) Peptide at the Transcriptome Level Following Cerebral Ischaemia–Reperfusion in Rats. Genes. 2020;11(6):681. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes11060681

Educational content for research discussion only. Not medical advice.