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All peptides

Cognitive · Investigational

Semax

Awaiting FDA decision

Talk to a clinician about your goal
Written by Peptide Association Editorial TeamLast reviewed Editorial policy

01 · Overview

A synthetic heptapeptide (Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro) that combines the ACTH(4-7) fragment with a stabilizing Pro-Gly-Pro tail and is described as an analog of ACTH(4-10) with nootropic and neuroprotective properties. In rats, a single dose increased hippocampal BDNF protein and trkB activation (PMID 16996037).

It is given intranasally, and most research comes from Russian groups.

02 · Research summary & key findings

Used clinically in Russia for central nervous system disorders; it is not approved by the FDA (PMID 9173745). Early Russian studies reported improved memory and attention in healthy men under demanding conditions, but these data are dated and not independently replicated (PMID 9173745). In an open study of 110 patients after ischemic stroke, semax was associated with higher plasma BDNF and better Barthel index recovery (PMID 29798983). A small controlled study in optic nerve disease reported improved visual function when semax was added to standard therapy (PMID 10741256). In rats, semax upregulated BDNF and trkB expression in the hippocampus (PMID 16996037).

03 · Regulatory status

Semax is in the investigational stage. While preclinical and early-phase data exist, it has not received regulatory approval for clinical use in the United States.

Semax is not FDA-approved, and as of October 2026 FDA has not finalized whether pharmacies may compound it. Whether a pharmacy will compound it depends on the pharmacy and your state. If you are working on the goal it is studied for, a licensed clinician can tell you what is lawfully available, which may be something else.

04 · Administration routes

  • Intranasal

References

  1. [1][Evaluation of therapeutic effect of new Russian drug semax in optic nerve disease] Vestn Oftalmol, 2000. PMID 10741256
  2. [2]Semax, an analog of ACTH(4-10) with cognitive effects, regulates BDNF and trkB expression in the rat hippocampus Brain Res, 2006. PMID 16996037
  3. [3][The efficacy of semax in the tretament of patients at different stages of ischemic stroke] Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova, 2018. PMID 29798983
  4. [4][A nootropic adrenocorticotropin analog 4-10-semax (l5 years experience in its design and study)] Zh Vyssh Nerv Deiat Im I P Pavlova, 1997. PMID 9173745

Primary literature

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