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.
Selank Dosage Chart, Schedule & Reconstitution Protocol
Quickstart Highlights
Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide analogue of the immunomodulatory tetrapeptide tuftsin, engineered at the Russian Academy of Sciences' Institute of Molecular Genetics by Kozlovskaya and colleagues. Adding a Pro-Gly-Pro tail to native Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg blocks aminopeptidase degradation and extends central nervous system activity from under one minute to roughly fifteen to twenty minutes, while preserving tuftsin-like neuro-immune signaling activity. Selank potentiates GABAergic transmission indirectly without binding the benzodiazepine recognition site, modulates serotonergic and dopaminergic turnover, and upregulates hippocampal BDNF and NGF after a single intranasal dose (PMID: 18841804). Researchers study it for generalised anxiety, asthenic syndromes, attention preservation under stress, and ethanol-withdrawal-related cognitive impairment, since a randomized 14-day trial showed anxiolytic efficacy comparable to medazepam without sedation, tolerance, or rebound on abrupt discontinuation (PMID: 18454096).
Reconstitute: Add 3 mL bacteriostatic water → 1.67 mg/mL concentration.
Easy measuring: At 1.67 mg/mL, 1 unit = 0.01 mL = 0.0167 mg (17 mcg) on a U-100 insulin syringe.
Storage: Lyophilized frozen; reconstituted refrigerated; avoid repeated freeze–thaw.
Half-life: Roughly 15-20 minutes plasma after intranasal dosing, but gene-expression effects on GABA-A subunits and BDNF persist 24 hours or longer, supporting once- to thrice-daily intranasal regimens.
Route: Intranasal is the dominant clinical and research route; subcutaneous has been studied but confers no advantage given high nose-to-brain bioavailability through olfactory and trigeminal pathways.
Status: Registered prescription anxiolytic in Russia as Peptogen 0.15% nasal solution; not FDA, EMA, or MHRA approved. Outside Russia it is sold strictly as a research compound.
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; avoid foaming.
Gently swirl/roll until dissolved (do not shake vigorously as peptides are delicate).
Inject slowly and steadily; wait a few seconds before withdrawing the needle.
Do not aspirate for subcutaneous injections; inject slowly and steadily[8].
Interactive Selank Syringe Calculator
Currently visualizing the 5 mg vial reconstituted with 3 mL bacteriostatic water. Adjust the target dose to dynamically render syringe units.
Reconstitution Calculation: 5mg dry powder in 3mL water yields 1.67 mg/mL. To evaluate a 250mcg dose, pull to 15.0 units (15 syringe ticks).
U-100 Syringe Representation
15.0 Units (15 Ticks)
Educational reference visual. Assumes standard U-100 insulin syringe where 1.0 mL volume = 100 units.
Titration & Dose Escalation Schedules
| Week | Daily Dose (mcg) | Units (per injection) (mL) |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–2 | 300 mcg | 18 units (0.18 mL) |
| Weeks 3–4 | 500 mcg | 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 5 mg vial.
Peptide Vials (Selank, 5 mg each):
- check8 weeks (including one 4-week cycle) ≈ 5 vials
- check12 weeks (one full cycle + partial second) ≈ 7 vials
- check16 weeks (two complete cycles) ≈ 10 vials
Insulin Syringes (U‑100):
- 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 (5 vials): 15 mL → 2 × 10 mL bottles
- check12 weeks (7 vials): 21 mL → 3 × 10 mL bottles
- check16 weeks (10 vials): 30 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)
Selank is a heptapeptide engineered by adding a Pro-Gly-Pro stabilization tail to the C-terminus of tuftsin, the natural IgG-derived tetrapeptide Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg. The Pro-Gly-Pro extension blocks rapid degradation by serum aminopeptidases and extends plasma half-life from under one minute (native tuftsin) to roughly 15–20 minutes after intranasal delivery. Intranasal administration is the dominant route because the peptide crosses the nasal mucosa and reaches the central nervous system via olfactory and trigeminal pathways, bypassing the blood-brain barrier and achieving measurable cerebrospinal fluid concentrations within minutes. Bioavailability of intranasal Selank in rodents is estimated at 92.8% based on classical pharmacokinetic models. Mechanistically, Selank operates across multiple convergent systems. It potentiates GABAergic neurotransmission without binding directly to the benzodiazepine site: Vyunova and colleagues demonstrated that Selank modulates expression of GABA-A receptor subunits and 84 neurotransmission-related genes in rat frontal cortex, shifting GABA-mediated inhibition without inducing the sedation, ataxia, or amnesic effects characteristic of orthosteric GABA-A agonists [2][4]. Selank also enhances serotonergic tone, increasing the 5-hydroxyindoleacetic-acid-to-serotonin ratio in hypothalamus and striatum, indicating accelerated serotonin turnover, and modulates dopaminergic signaling through D2 receptor pathways. The peptide upregulates BDNF and nerve growth factor messenger RNA in the hippocampus within hours of a single intranasal dose, an effect that becomes more robust with 5–7 days of daily administration [5]. By preserving tuftsin-like immunomodulatory activity, Selank also influences interferon-gamma and enkephalinase activity, suggesting a neuro-immune mechanism that may underlie its sustained anti-anxiety action. Downstream, Selank protects against ethanol-induced memory impairment by normalizing BDNF in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex [6], and chronic dosing reduces anxiety-like behavior in elevated plus maze and open field paradigms across multiple rodent strains. Because Selank does not act at the benzodiazepine recognition site, it produces no tolerance, no rebound anxiety, and no withdrawal on discontinuation — a clinically important separation from classic GABAergic anxiolytics. Plasma clearance is fast, but the gene-expression effects persist for 24 hours or more after a single dose, supporting once- to thrice-daily intranasal dosing as the practical regimen.
Clinical Trial Efficacy Highlights
- starIn a randomized controlled trial of 62 patients with generalized anxiety disorder and neurasthenia, Selank 2700 mcg/day intranasally for 14 days produced anxiolytic efficacy comparable to medazepam on the Hamilton Anxiety Scale, but unlike medazepam it improved rather than impaired attention and working memory measured by Schulte tables and digit symbol substitution [3].
- starVyunova and colleagues showed that intranasal Selank in rats altered expression of 84 neurotransmission-related genes in the frontal cortex within 30 minutes, including GABA-A subunits and serotonin receptor mRNAs, providing a molecular basis for its anxiolytic action independent of the benzodiazepine binding site [2].
- starKozlovskaya and colleagues at the Institute of Molecular Genetics reported that a single intranasal Selank dose increased BDNF and NGF expression in rat hippocampus, with effects amplified by 5–7 days of repeated dosing — evidence for cumulative nootropic enhancement on top of acute anxiolysis [5].
- starInozemtseva and collaborators demonstrated that Selank improves learning and memory in active avoidance and Morris water maze tasks at intranasal doses of 100–300 mcg/kg in rats, supporting cognitive benefit beyond stress reduction.
- starIn ethanol withdrawal models, Selank prevented memory and attention deficits and normalized BDNF protein in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, suggesting utility for stress- and substance-related cognitive disturbance [6].
- starSelank lacks the abuse liability, tolerance, and discontinuation syndrome of benzodiazepines: no withdrawal or rebound anxiety has been documented even after 30-day continuous courses, a key advantage cited in Russian psychiatric guidelines [1].
- starAn open-label observational study in patients with mixed anxiety-depressive disorder showed Selank produced measurable reductions in HAM-A scores by day 7 of dosing, with continued improvement through day 14; effects persisted at least 14 days after discontinuation.
- starCell-culture studies in IMR-32 neuroblastoma demonstrated Selank-induced changes in genes regulating GABAergic neurotransmission similar to those produced by GABA itself, supporting an indirect GABAergic potentiation mechanism rather than direct receptor agonism [4].
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.
- warningSelank's safety profile in Russian clinical use over 20+ years is favorable; the most common adverse event is transient nasal irritation or mild rhinorrhea at the site of intranasal application, typically resolving without intervention within minutes.
- warningHeadache has been reported in a minority of users, usually at higher cumulative daily doses (above 1500 mcg) and often associated with dehydration or concurrent stimulant use; it generally resolves on dose reduction.
- warningUnlike benzodiazepines, Selank does not produce sedation, psychomotor slowing, or amnesia on standard psychomotor batteries, and driving impairment has not been demonstrated in controlled studies.
- warningSelank has no documented abuse liability, no tolerance development over 30-day courses, and no withdrawal or rebound anxiety on abrupt discontinuation, distinguishing it sharply from GABA-A orthosteric agonists.
- warningRare reports describe transient mood blunting or emotional flatness at supraphysiologic doses; this is reversible on cessation and may relate to over-modulation of serotonergic turnover.
- warningDrug interaction data are limited; theoretical interactions with benzodiazepines, SSRIs, and MAO inhibitors have not been clinically characterized, and combination use should be approached cautiously.
- warningNo teratogenicity or reproductive toxicity has been formally established; use in pregnancy and lactation is not recommended absent safety data.
- warningLong-term immunologic effects from chronic tuftsin-like activity remain incompletely studied; cycle-based dosing (14 days on, 14 days off) is the conservative default in research protocols.
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 Selank dosage?expand_more
Standard Russian clinical dosing is 250–750 mcg per intranasal administration, given two to three times daily for a total of 900–1350 mcg/day across a 14-day course. Researchers commonly cycle 14 days on followed by a 14-day washout, repeating as needed.
How is Selank administered?expand_more
Selank is administered intranasally, usually as a 0.15% saline-buffered solution delivering roughly 75 mcg per spray actuation. Subcutaneous injection has been studied but offers no clinical advantage over the nasal route, which achieves high CNS bioavailability via olfactory pathways.
Can Selank be stacked?expand_more
Selank is frequently combined with Semax in nootropic research stacks, since their mechanisms (BDNF, GABA, serotonin for Selank; melanocortin and BDNF for Semax) are complementary rather than overlapping. Clinical evidence for combination dosing in humans is limited to anecdotal and small Russian observational series.
What are the side effects of Selank?expand_more
Most users tolerate Selank well; the most frequent issues are transient nasal irritation and mild headache. There is no sedation, tolerance, abuse liability, or withdrawal syndrome, which separates it from benzodiazepines. Long-term and pregnancy safety remain incompletely characterized.
Is Selank FDA approved?expand_more
No. Selank is a registered prescription anxiolytic in Russia (marketed as Peptogen) but is not approved by the FDA, EMA, or MHRA. In the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union it is sold only as a research chemical and is not approved for human therapeutic use.
Academic References & Study Citations
Zozulia AA, Neznamov GG, Siuniakov TS, et al. Efficacy and possible mechanisms of action of a new peptide anxiolytic selank in the therapy of generalized anxiety disorders and neurasthenia. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2008. View Scientific Paper →
Vyunova TV, Andreeva LA, Shevchenko KV, Myasoedov NF. Selank administration affects the expression of some genes involved in GABAergic neurotransmission. Front Pharmacol. 2016;7:31. View Scientific Paper →
Medvedev VE, Tereshchenko OY, Israelyan AY, et al. Optimization of therapy for anxiety disorders with peptide anxiolytic selank. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2014. View Scientific Paper →
Volkova A, Shadrina M, Kolomin T, et al. GABA, Selank, and olanzapine affect the expression of genes involved in GABAergic neurotransmission in IMR-32 cells. Front Pharmacol. 2017;8:89. View Scientific Paper →
Inozemtseva LS, Karpenko EA, Dolotov OV, et al. Intranasal administration of the peptide Selank regulates BDNF expression in the rat hippocampus in vivo. Dokl Biol Sci. 2008;421:241-3. View Scientific Paper →
Kolik LG, Konstantinopolsky MA. Selank, peptide analogue of tuftsin, protects against ethanol-induced memory impairment by regulating BDNF content in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex in rats. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2019;167(5):641-644. View Scientific Paper →
Kozlovskaya MM, Kozlovskii II, Vyunova TV, Andreeva LA. Selank and short peptides of the tuftsin family in the regulation of adaptive behavior. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2001. View Scientific Paper →
Semenova TP, Kozlovskaya MM, Zuikov AV, et al. Behavioral effects of Selank and its synthetic analogues. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2007;144(2):206-9. 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 →
Kolomin T, Shadrina M, Slominsky P, Limborska S, Myasoedov N. A new generation of drugs: synthetic peptides based on natural regulatory peptides. Neurosci Med. 2013;4:223-252. View Scientific Paper →