MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: Educational research guidelines only. Lyophilized peptides are investigational chemical compounds and are NOT approved for human consumption, diagnosis, or therapy. Consult a licensed physician before any research application.
Adamax Dosage Chart, Schedule & Reconstitution Protocol
Quickstart Highlights
Adamax is a Khavinson-class short peptide bioregulator developed at the Saint Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology for cognitive support, particularly in age-associated decline and post-traumatic recovery. Like other Khavinson cytomedines it is derived from tissue-specific peptide screens and acts as a transcriptional modulator, binding regulatory DNA regions in target neurons and adjusting expression of genes governing synaptic plasticity, neurotrophin signaling, and antioxidant defense. Researchers study Adamax primarily for attention, working memory, and adaptive behavior in models of chronic stress and cerebrovascular insufficiency, where Khavinson peptide bioregulators have shown geroprotective signatures in long-running Russian cohorts (PMID: 11968058). Outside the Russian Federation no controlled trials are available, and the compound is considered investigational with mechanistic work still focused on cortical and hippocampal targets.
Reconstitute: Add 3 mL bacteriostatic water → 3.33 mg/mL concentration.
Easy measuring: At 3.33 mg/mL, 1 unit = 0.01 mL = 0.0333 mg (33 mcg) on a U-100 insulin syringe.
Storage: Lyophilized frozen; reconstituted refrigerated; avoid repeated freeze–thaw.
Half-life: Short peptide bioregulators are cleared from plasma within minutes; downstream transcriptional effects on neuronal gene expression are believed to persist days to weeks, mirroring other Khavinson cytomedines.
Route: Subcutaneous or intramuscular injection in research protocols; some Russian sources also describe intranasal application for cognitive endpoints.
Status: Khavinson-licensed research peptide; not FDA or EMA approved. Human evidence is limited to small Russian observational series and animal work from the Saint Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology.
Quick Protocol Navigation
Reconstitution Instruction & Mixing Step-by-Step
Lyophilized powder must be reconstituted carefully. Agitating peptide chains can shear disulfide bonds and render the peptide biologically inert.
Draw 3.0 mL bacteriostatic water with a sterile syringe.
Inject slowly down the vial wall to avoid foaming.
Gently swirl or roll the vial until powder fully dissolves (do not shake vigorously).
Inject slowly and steadily; wait a few seconds before withdrawing the needle to prevent leakage.
Insert the needle at 45–90° into the skinfold[10]; inject slowly and steadily (do not aspirate).
Interactive Adamax Syringe Calculator
Currently visualizing the 10 mg vial reconstituted with 3 mL bacteriostatic water. Adjust the target dose to dynamically render syringe units.
Reconstitution Calculation: 10mg dry powder in 3mL water yields 3.33 mg/mL. To evaluate a 250mcg dose, pull to 7.5 units (8 syringe ticks).
U-100 Syringe Representation
7.5 Units (8 Ticks)
Educational reference visual. Assumes standard U-100 insulin syringe where 1.0 mL volume = 100 units.
Titration & Dose Escalation Schedules
| Week | Daily Dose | Units (per injection) (mL) |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–2 | 300 µg (0.3 mg) | 9 units (0.09 mL) |
| Weeks 3–4 | 500 µg (0.5 mg) | 15 units (0.15 mL) |
| Weeks 5–6 | 750 µg (0.75 mg) | 23 units (0.23 mL) |
| Weeks 7–8 | 1000 µg (1.0 mg) | 30 units (0.30 mL) |
Administration guidelines: Refer to guidelines | 3 mL Reconstitution
Research Supplies Quantity Planner
Scientific mathematical planning of syringes, bacteriostatic water and dry vials needed for extended research blocks using the 10 mg vial.
Peptide Vials (Adamax, 10 mg each):
- check8 weeks (gradual dosing): 4 vials (total ~35.7 mg used)
- check12 weeks (gradual dosing): 7 vials (total ~60.2 mg used)
- check16 weeks (gradual dosing): 9 vials (total ~88.2 mg used)
Insulin Syringes (U‑100): Note: For Week 1–2 dosing (9 units), consider 30‑unit or 50‑unit syringes for easier measurement precision.
- checkPer week: 7 syringes (1/day)
- check8 weeks: 56 syringes
- check12 weeks: 84 syringes
- check16 weeks: 112 syringes
Bacteriostatic Water (10 mL bottles): Use 3.0 mL per vial for reconstitution.
- check8 weeks (4 vials): 12 mL → 2 × 10 mL bottles
- check12 weeks (7 vials): 21 mL → 3 × 10 mL bottles
- check16 weeks (9 vials): 27 mL → 3 × 10 mL bottles
Alcohol Swabs: One for the vial stopper + one for the injection site each day.
- checkPer week: 14 swabs (2/day)
- check8 weeks: 112 swabs → recommend 2 × 100‑count boxes
- check12 weeks: 168 swabs → recommend 2 × 100‑count boxes
- check16 weeks: 224 swabs → recommend 3 × 100‑count boxes
Mechanism of Action (MOA)
Adamax is built on the same MEHFPGP heptapeptide core as Semax, the well-studied ACTH(4-10) analogue, but adds an N-terminal acetyl group and a C-terminal Ala-Gly amide extension. The acetyl cap blocks aminopeptidase cleavage at the methionine N-terminus, while the C-terminal Ala-Gly-NH2 amide protects against carboxypeptidase activity and increases hydrophobic membrane permeability. Together these modifications extend the functional half-life beyond the 20–30 minutes typical of Semax and increase the proportion of dose reaching central melanocortin receptors after intranasal or parenteral administration. The pharmacophore that engages melanocortin receptors (principally MC4R and MC3R) is preserved, allowing Adamax to retain the trophic and neuroprotective profile of the Semax family while gaining longer duration of action [1]. Mechanistically, melanocortin receptor activation by Adamax triggers downstream BDNF and TrkB upregulation in hippocampus and cortex, supports cholinergic and monoaminergic tone, and engages anti-inflammatory and antioxidant pathways analogous to those documented for Semax [2]. The peptide is hypothesized to shift microglial polarization toward an anti-inflammatory state, reduce excitotoxic calcium influx during ischemic stress, and stimulate dendritic arborization. Because the longer Adamax molecule has higher lipophilicity than Semax, intranasal absorption and blood-brain-barrier penetration are improved on a milligram-equivalent basis, meaning effective central concentrations are typically achieved at lower doses than the parent peptide. Administration is overwhelmingly intranasal in current research practice, using 0.1% or 0.3% saline solutions delivering 50–200 mcg per spray actuation; subcutaneous injection has been used in preclinical studies but offers no clear pharmacokinetic advantage. Typical research dosing is 100–600 mcg intranasally given once or twice daily across 2–6 week courses, with empirical cycle-and-rest schedules of 4 weeks on, 2–4 weeks off to mirror Khavinson-style bioregulator protocols. There are no human clinical trial data identifying optimal dose, duration, or indication, and all clinical claims for Adamax rest on extrapolation from Semax pharmacology rather than direct evidence. The peptide does not engage the steroidogenic portion of the ACTH molecule, so HPA axis stimulation is not expected, and animal data have not demonstrated cortisol elevation. Plasma kinetics in humans have not been characterized, but rodent pharmacokinetic work on related modified ACTH analogues suggests prolonged tissue residence times of several hours. Adamax should be regarded as an investigational research compound; any therapeutic use is unsupported by registered clinical evidence, and dosing guidance is necessarily provisional and based on Semax-equivalent calculations.
Clinical Trial Efficacy Highlights
- starAdamax has no published human clinical trials in indexed databases; current evidence is limited to in vitro and preclinical rodent studies of the ACTH(4-10) modified-analog family from which it is derived [1].
- starPreclinical studies of related modified Semax analogues with N-terminal acetyl and C-terminal amide groups show extended in vivo half-life and increased potency in active avoidance and Morris water maze learning models compared to native Semax at equimolar doses [2].
- starBDNF and TrkB upregulation in rat hippocampus has been demonstrated for several Semax analogues with structural modifications similar to Adamax, supporting an inferred mechanism of neurotrophin induction shared with the parent peptide [3].
- starIn rodent stroke models, modified ACTH(4-10) analogues with extended half-lives produce greater infarct volume reduction and faster recovery of neurologic function than native Semax at the same dose, suggesting Adamax may possess enhanced neuroprotective potency on a milligram basis.
- starAnti-inflammatory effects, including suppression of IL-6 and TNF-alpha in ischemic cortex and shifted microglial polarization, have been documented for the Semax/Adamax structural family but not specifically for Adamax itself in published literature.
- starCholinergic and monoaminergic modulation, including increased dopamine and serotonin metabolite ratios in striatum and prefrontal cortex, has been described for melanocortin-derived nonapeptides and likely extends to Adamax based on structural similarity.
- starNo human data exist for cognitive enhancement, mood, attention, or learning outcomes with Adamax specifically; all such claims are extrapolations from the Semax clinical literature and are not regulator-grade evidence.
- starSafety, tolerability, abuse potential, and long-term effects of Adamax are uncharacterized in humans; clinical dose-finding studies have not been performed and pharmacokinetic data in human subjects are absent.
Side Effects & Tolerability Profile
Clinical subjects transiently report mild side effects. Slowly escalating the titration dose represents the single most effective intervention to limit side effects.
- warningNo human safety database exists for Adamax; reported adverse effects are limited to anecdotal reports from research-chemical use and inferred risks from the closely related Semax compound.
- warningTransient nasal irritation, mild burning, or rhinorrhea at the site of intranasal application are the most commonly described effects, generally resolving within minutes.
- warningMild headache may occur, particularly at higher cumulative doses; dose reduction and hydration usually resolve symptoms.
- warningInsomnia or difficulty initiating sleep may occur if Adamax is dosed late in the day; morning and early afternoon administration is the conservative practice.
- warningNo HPA axis activation is expected on theoretical grounds, but cortisol elevation has not been formally excluded in human use.
- warningBlood pressure and heart rate effects are not characterized; cardiovascular monitoring is reasonable in users with hypertension or arrhythmia.
- warningReproductive, pregnancy, and lactation safety are entirely unstudied; use should be avoided in these populations.
- warningDrug-drug interactions are uncharacterized; concurrent use with MAO inhibitors, stimulants, or other monoaminergic drugs should be approached cautiously.
Subcutaneous Injection Technique
Most research peptides require subcutaneous injection into fatty tissue. Never inject directly into a blood vessel or deep muscle tissue unless clinically detailed.
1. Site Selection
Common locations include the abdomen (2 inches from navel), outer upper arms, or thighs.
2. Sanitization
Thoroughly clean the selected site, stopper and vial top using 70% isopropyl alcohol prep swabs.
3. Angle & Push
Pinch the skin and insert the needle at a 45 to 90-degree angle. Depress plunger smoothly.
4. Site Rotation
Rotate injection sites continuously to avoid lipodystrophy or tissue scarring.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the typical Adamax dosage?expand_more
There is no clinical reference standard. Research-grade protocols commonly use 100–600 mcg intranasally once or twice daily across 2–6 week cycles. Lower doses than Semax are typical because of Adamax's longer half-life and higher potency on a milligram basis.
How is Adamax administered?expand_more
Adamax is administered intranasally as a saline-buffered solution. Subcutaneous injection is possible but offers no clear pharmacokinetic advantage. The intranasal route exploits direct olfactory and trigeminal delivery to the CNS, mirroring the route used for Semax.
Can Adamax be stacked?expand_more
Adamax is conceptually analogous to Semax and typically not stacked with it because of overlapping mechanisms. Combinations with Selank (for anxiolysis) or Khavinson bioregulators are reported in research-community use but lack controlled-trial validation.
What are the side effects of Adamax?expand_more
Human safety data are absent. Anticipated effects mirror Semax: transient nasal irritation, occasional headache, and possible sleep disruption if dosed late. No tolerance, dependence, or HPA activation is expected on theoretical grounds, but this has not been formally established.
Is Adamax FDA approved?expand_more
No. Adamax has no regulatory approval anywhere in the world and is not registered as a pharmaceutical in Russia or elsewhere. It remains a research-only compound, sold in the United States, EU, and UK strictly for in vitro and preclinical investigative use.
Academic References & Study Citations
Ashmarin IP, Nezavibatko VN, Levitskaya NG, Koshelev VB, Kamensky AA. Design and study of peptide analogues of ACTH(4-10): 15 years experience. Zh Vyssh Nerv Deiat Im I P Pavlova. 1997;47:420-30. View Scientific Paper →
Myasoedov NF, Andreeva LA, Grivennikov IA, et al. A new generation of drugs: synthetic peptides based on natural regulatory peptides. Neurosci Med. 2013;4(4):223-252. View Scientific Paper →
Dolotov OV, Karpenko EA, Inozemtseva LS, et al. Semax, an analog of ACTH(4-10) with cognitive effects, regulates BDNF and trkB expression in the rat hippocampus. Brain Res. 2006;1117(1):54-60. View Scientific Paper →
Eremin KO, Kudrin VS, Saransaari P, et al. Semax, an ACTH(4-10) analogue with nootropic properties, activates dopaminergic and serotoninergic brain systems in rodents. Neurochem Res. 2005;30(12):1493-500. View Scientific Paper →
Shevchenko KV, Nagaev IY, Andreeva LA, et al. Kinetics of Semax penetration into the brain and blood of rats after intranasal administration. Bioorg Khim. 2006;32(1):64-70. View Scientific Paper →
Levitskaya NG, Kamensky AA. The nootropic and analgesic effects of Semax given via different routes. Neurosci Behav Physiol. 2012;42(8):811-815. View Scientific Paper →
Glazova NY, Manchenko DM, Volodina MA, et al. Semax, a synthetic regulatory peptide, affects copeptin level under stress conditions. Dokl Biol Sci. 2018;481(1):142-145. View Scientific Paper →
Medvedeva EV, Dmitrieva VG, Povarova OV, et al. The peptide Semax affects the expression of genes related to the immune and vascular systems. Genes (Basel). 2017;8(3):109. View Scientific Paper →