Comparison · Updated
Semax VS Selank
Short answer
Selank has stronger published evidence than Semax: tier A (Controlled human trials) vs tier B (Small human studies).
Neither Semax nor Selank is FDA-approved.
Neither Semax nor Selank is on the WADA Prohibited List.
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Side by side
| Field | Semax | Selank |
|---|---|---|
| Evidence tier | B Tier B · Small human studies | A Tier A · Controlled human trials |
| Tier rationale | Human data are small open-label or non-randomized Russian clinical studies (e.g. ischemic stroke, Gusev et al. 2018); it is a registered medicine in Russia but not FDA/EMA-approved. | One small randomized trial (62 patients with anxiety disorders, selank vs medazepam, 2008; indexed in PubMed as an RCT), otherwise small Russian clinical studies; registered in Russia but not FDA/EMA-approved. |
| FDA status | Not approved | Not approved |
| Other approvals |
|
|
| WADA | Not on the Prohibited List | Not on the Prohibited List |
| Family | Mind | Mind |
| Residues | 7amino acids | 7amino acids |
| Molecular weight | 813.9 Da | 751.9 Da |
| Formula | C37H51N9O10S | C33H57N11O9 |
| Discovered | Not on file | Not on file |
| Routes studied | Intranasal, Subcutaneous | Intranasal, Subcutaneous |
| Mechanism | Semax is a synthetic analog of ACTH(4-10) with a C-terminal Pro-Gly-Pro tripeptide extension that confers metabolic stability. It increases BDNF and NGF expression, modulates serotonergic and dopaminergic systems, and enhances synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. | Selank is a synthetic analog of the endogenous tetrapeptide tuftsin (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg) with a C-terminal Pro-Gly-Pro extension for stability. It has been reported to modulate GABAergic neurotransmission and serotonin metabolism and to affect enkephalin-degrading activity in blood; it also retains immunomodulatory activity related to tuftsin. |
| Safety notes | Registered for clinical use in Russia. | Registered as an anxiolytic in Russia. |
| Cited studies | 1 study | 1 study |
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Questions
- Which has stronger evidence, Semax or Selank?
- Selank has stronger published evidence than Semax: tier A (Controlled human trials) vs tier B (Small human studies). Semax: Human data are small open-label or non-randomized Russian clinical studies (e.g. ischemic stroke, Gusev et al. 2018); it is a registered medicine in Russia but not FDA/EMA-approved. Selank: One small randomized trial (62 patients with anxiety disorders, selank vs medazepam, 2008; indexed in PubMed as an RCT), otherwise small Russian clinical studies; registered in Russia but not FDA/EMA-approved. Tiers rate the strength of published evidence, not effectiveness.
- Is Semax FDA-approved?
- Semax is not FDA-approved. Approvals listed outside the US: Russia — Semax nasal drops 0.1% and 1% (Peptogen), registered medicine.
- Is Selank FDA-approved?
- Selank is not FDA-approved. Approvals listed outside the US: Russia — Selank nasal drops 0.15% (Peptogen), registration ЛСР-003338/09.
- Are Semax and Selank banned in sport?
- Neither Semax nor Selank is on the WADA Prohibited List.
- How do Semax and Selank work?
- Semax is a synthetic analog of ACTH(4-10) with a C-terminal Pro-Gly-Pro tripeptide extension that confers metabolic stability. Selank is a synthetic analog of the endogenous tetrapeptide tuftsin (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg) with a C-terminal Pro-Gly-Pro extension for stability.