Semax Dosage Chart
Clinic/vendor intranasal protocol and source limits for the Russian-approved cognitive and neuroprotective peptide.
Fact-checking at PeptideProbe is editorial, not clinical. Our editors check claims, dosing figures, and trial results against primary sources; they are not licensed clinicians and do not provide medical review. Nothing here is medical advice — talk to a qualified healthcare provider before starting any therapy.
Educational tool — not medical advice. This calculator provides estimates based on population averages and published trial data. Outputs are not clinical recommendations and do not replace evaluation by a qualified prescriber. Do not start, stop, or change a peptide therapy based on the result of this tool.
Semax is a synthetic analog of ACTH (4-10) developed at Russia's Institute of Molecular Genetics. It is approved in Russia for stroke recovery, cognitive impairment, and as a nootropic. Mechanism studies describe BDNF/trkB and neuroprotective effects, but it is not FDA-approved in the US. On July 24, 2026, FDA's Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee recommended Semax-related bulk drug substances for the 503A Bulks List; that vote is advisory only, is not approval, and has not changed federal legal status.
Semax at a Glance
| Clinic/vendor dose | 200–600 mcg per nostril (total 400–1,200 mcg per dose) |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 2–3× per day intranasal |
| Course length | 10–14 days, repeated as needed (not source-derived) |
| Route | Intranasal spray |
| FDA status | Not FDA-approved. Russian-approved; July 2026 PCAC recommendation is advisory only and legally unchanged. |
| Source quality | Mechanism studies plus Russian-language clinical stroke literature; no English replicated dose-ranging trial. |
Semax Dosing by Use Case
Commonly cited protocols vary by what Semax is being used for. The table below summarizes typical ranges reported in clinical practice and published literature.
| Use case | Typical dose | Frequency | Cycle length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cognitive support / nootropic | 400–600 mcg total per dose | 2× daily intranasal | 10–14 days, may repeat after 2 weeks off | Common clinic/vendor convention; not established by the cited literature. |
| Acute ischemic stroke (Russian clinical literature) | 12–18 mg/day in the cited 1997 study | Divided intranasal dosing under supervision | 5 days for moderate stroke; 10 days for severe stroke in the cited study | Clinical setting only; this does not validate nootropic microgram protocols. |
| ADHD / focus support (off-label) | 400 mcg total per dose | Morning + midday intranasal | 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off | Off-label clinic/vendor convention; not validated in Western trials. |
Stacking Semax
Semax and Selank are sometimes alternated for combined nootropic + anxiolytic support. Co-administration is less common than alternating cycles.
Where these numbers come from
The cited Semax literature supports a limited evidence base, not the intranasal nootropic protocol printed here. Two 2006 Dolotov papers and the 2025 Filippenkov paper are mechanism/animal studies involving BDNF, trkB, gene-expression, and ischemia models. The human clinical citation is a Russian-language acute ischemic stroke study, with a much higher supervised stroke regimen than the microgram nootropic doses clinics and vendors commonly print. None of these sources establishes 200-600 mcg per nostril, 2-3x daily, 10-14 day nootropic or focus protocols, and the trial literature has not been independently replicated in English-language journals. Semax is approved in Russia but not FDA-approved in the US; the July 2026 PCAC recommendation for the 503A Bulks List is advisory only, is not approval, and has not changed federal legal status.
Semax has limited Russian clinical safety data and sparse Western validation.
- •Common side effects: mild nasal irritation; rare reports of headache or transient blood pressure changes.
- •Does not produce sedation or stimulant-like dependence in published data.
- •Long-term continuous use beyond labeled course lengths is not well-studied.
- •Not FDA-approved.
- •Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- •Active sinusitis or nasal pathology (avoid intranasal route)
- •Bipolar disorder or active mania (theoretical concern with dopaminergic modulation)
Semax Dosing FAQ
Mechanism studies measured neurotrophin changes within hours after intranasal dosing in animals. Human onset claims for nootropic use are not well established in English-language trials; clinic protocols usually use short courses rather than continuous daily use.
The cited sources do not establish dependence or withdrawal. That is not the same as a long-term safety study, so repeated courses should be clinician-supervised.
Sources
- Dolotov OV et al. Semax, an analogue of adrenocorticotropin (4-10), binds specifically and increases levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor protein in rat basal forebrain. J Neurochem 2006
- Dolotov OV et al. Semax, an analog of ACTH(4-10) with cognitive effects, regulates BDNF and trkB expression in the rat hippocampus. Brain Res 2006
- Gusev EI et al. Effectiveness of Semax in the acute period of hemispheric ischemic stroke. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 1997
- Filippenkov IB et al. Genes associated with action of ACTH-like peptides with neuroprotective potential in rat brain regions with different degrees of ischemic damage. Int J Mol Sci 2025
- FDA briefing document for Semax-related bulk drug substances, Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee meeting, July 23-24 2026
- Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee meeting, July 23-24 2026 (BPC-157 and other peptide nominations) — FDA
- Bulk Drug Substances Used in Compounding Under Section 503A of the FD&C Act — FDA
Related Dosage Charts
Where to get Semax with a prescription
Semax requires a prescription and medical supervision. Each service below states that a licensed provider reviews your intake and prescribes through a US compounding pharmacy where appropriate. Those are the companies’ own descriptions of how they operate, not findings of ours. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved, and a consultation does not guarantee a prescription.
Some telehealth links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Commission never affects which products or clinics we list, how they are ordered, or what we say about them — see our editorial policy.
Says a board-certified physician reviews each intake and prescribes through a licensed 503A compounding pharmacy where appropriate, and lists a LegitScript certification. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved.
We are not a clinic and do not prescribe. Listing a service here is not a clinical endorsement of it, and you should confirm licensure and pharmacy sourcing yourself before treatment.
Want the full Semax guide?
Mechanism, clinical evidence, side effects, costs, and provider listings for Semax therapy.
Medical Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before beginning any peptide therapy treatment.