Semax (10 mg vial)
Once daily subcutaneous protocol for cognitive and neurological research.
Semax is an ACTH(4-10) analog with a stabilizing tail, developed in Russia, where it saw clinical use for stroke and cognitive support. It is studied for focus, memory and BDNF signaling. The protocol below is once daily, injectable or intranasal.
Quick answer: at the standard 10 mg + 1 mL reconstitution, a 800 mcg dose of Semax draws 8 units (0.08 mL) on a U-100 insulin syringe, once daily subcutaneous.
Get Semax → code PEPDOSE
Protocol overview
Dosing & reconstitution
Frequency: Once daily subcutaneous
Typical duration: 8 weeks
Reconstitution: 10 mg vial + 1 mL bacteriostatic water = 10 mg/mL. Units below are for a U-100 insulin syringe at this concentration.
| Phase | Dose | Units per injection |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1-2 | 300 mcg | 3 units (0.03 mL) |
| Weeks 3-4 | 500 mcg | 5 units (0.05 mL) |
| Weeks 5-6 | 600 mcg | 6 units (0.06 mL) |
| Weeks 7-8 | 800 mcg | 8 units (0.08 mL) |
Units = (dose ÷ concentration) × 100 on a U-100 syringe. Change the vial size or water volume and the calculator redoes all of this for you.
Track this protocol → Free account · log doses, rotate sites, never lose your history
Semax dosing schedule
Semax is a registered medicine in Russia, where it is supplied as an intranasal solution and used in stroke and cognitive indications. Two caveats matter: the clinical literature is largely Russian-language and has limited independent Western replication, and the registered product is intranasal drops — not the injectable vial sold as a research chemical.
| Phase | Amount | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered intranasal use | 0.1% solution | Drops per nostril, several times daily | The registered presentation. Amounts are expressed as drops of a stated concentration, not as an injected mg figure. |
| Higher-concentration form | 1% solution | Intranasal, acute stroke setting | A stronger presentation used in the acute neurological indications. |
Study length: Course lengths of 10–14 days are typical in the published Russian clinical work.
Reconstitution and measurement
This part is arithmetic and does not depend on the evidence level. Concentration is vial size divided by the bacteriostatic water you add. Draw volume is your target amount divided by that concentration. Units are draw volume times 100, because a U-100 syringe reads 100 units per millilitre. Common vials for Semax: 10 mg.
- Wipe the stoppers of both vials with an alcohol swab and let them dry.
- Draw the bacteriostatic water with a sterile syringe and inject it slowly down the inside wall of the peptide vial — never straight onto the powder.
- Swirl gently until the solution is clear. Do not shake; foaming and agitation damage peptides.
- Label the vial with the date and concentration, and refrigerate at 2–8 °C protected from light.
Worked example at the calculator defaults: 10 mg + 2 mL of bacteriostatic water = 5 mg/mL, so on a U-100 insulin syringe 1 unit = 50 mcg of Semax. Change either input and the calculator redoes this for you.
Storage and stability
Important notes
Practical considerations for consistency and safety.
- Use a new sterile insulin syringe for each injection and dispose in a proper sharps container.
- Inject slowly and steadily; wait a few seconds before withdrawing the needle to ensure complete delivery.
- Administer at the same time each day for consistent levels. Setting a daily reminder helps maintain the schedule.
- The 10 mg vial size is standard for this compound. Reconstitute with 1 mL bacteriostatic water for a convenient concentration.
How Semax works
A synthetic analog of the ACTH 4-10 fragment with a Pro-Gly-Pro tail that resists enzymatic breakdown. It has no corticotropic activity — the adrenal-stimulating part of ACTH is absent — and is studied for effects on BDNF expression.
Benefits & side effects
Potential benefits
- Nootropic with neuroprotective properties
- Supports focus, memory and cognitive function
- Anti-anxiety effects reported
- Also available as nasal spray
Possible side effects
- Injection site reactions
- Headache occasionally
- Generally well tolerated
- Nasal spray may cause irritation
This list reflects published literature and community reports. Individual responses vary. Not medical advice.
Bloodwork worth tracking
The community-standard practice is a baseline panel before starting, a recheck 8 to 12 weeks in, and another after time off. For Semax, the markers most worth watching:
CMPCBC
Typical time off: 4 wks
Lab panels are how a research protocol stays honest: numbers move before symptoms do. Interpretation belongs with a clinician. Not medical advice.
Lifestyle factors
None of the literature above was run on a background of poor sleep and no protein. These variables move outcomes more reliably than any compound on this site.
- Protein in the 1.6 to 2.2 g/kg range preserves lean mass through any body-composition phase.
- Resistance training 2 to 4 days per week plus 150+ minutes of weekly aerobic work reinforces whatever the protocol is doing.
- Sleep is the recovery window: 7 to 9 hours at consistent times.
- Hydration matters more than usual on compounds with GI or flushing effects: 2 to 3 liters daily.
- Track the variables that matter: weigh-ins, measurements, photos, and labs at sensible intervals.
References
Quick answers
How many syringe units is a 800 mcg dose of Semax?
At the standard reconstitution of 10 mg with 1 mL bacteriostatic water (10 mg/mL), a 800 mcg dose draws 8 units (0.08 mL) on a U-100 insulin syringe.
How do you reconstitute Semax?
Add 1 mL of bacteriostatic water to the 10 mg vial for 10 mg/mL. Inject the water slowly down the inside wall of the vial, swirl gently without shaking, and refrigerate at 2 to 8 °C after mixing.
How long does a 10 mg vial of Semax last?
About 12 maintenance doses of 800 mcg, roughly 1.7 weeks at once daily subcutaneous.
Does Semax have human trial data?
Yes. The dosing on this page is anchored to published human research (Semax clinical literature (Russian registration, ischaemic stroke and cognitive indications)).
How does Semax work?
A synthetic analog of the ACTH 4-10 fragment with a Pro-Gly-Pro tail that resists enzymatic breakdown. It has no corticotropic activity — the adrenal-stimulating part of ACTH is absent — and is studied for effects on BDNF expression.
Sourcing Semax
Whatever you are working with, the documentation matters more than the price. Ask for a batch certificate of analysis whose lot number matches the vial you actually receive — a COA for a different batch tells you nothing about yours.
Semax at Summit Research Supply → Grade a COA first
Summit is the supplier we feature and an affiliate link. Our COA checklist applies the same way to any vendor.
