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.
Thymogen Dosage Chart, Schedule & Reconstitution Protocol
Quickstart Highlights
Thymogen (alpha-glutamyl-tryptophan, Glu-Trp) is a synthetic thymic dipeptide immunomodulator isolated from the thymus extract Thymalin and developed in Russia. As the smallest active fragment of natural thymic peptides, it is reported to drive differentiation of T-cell precursors into mature T-lymphocytes, normalise the T-helper/T-suppressor ratio, and rebalance Th1/Th2 cytokine output; in vitro the alpha-Glu-Trp form suppressed TNFα-stimulated IL-1α and IL-8 while raising ICAM-1 (PMID 37131521). In Russia it is a registered medicine sold as a 25 mcg intranasal spray and a 100 mcg/mL intramuscular solution, dosed 50-100 mcg/day in short 3-10 day courses. A distinct isomer, gamma-D-glutamyl-L-tryptophan (SCV-07/golotimod), reached US Phase 2 trials for oral mucositis, tuberculosis and HSV-2 but was never approved (PMID 18619817, NCT00756951). It is not FDA- or EMA-approved; the subcutaneous reconstitution figures here are an educational measurement reference only.
Reconstitute: Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water → 0.5 mg/mL concentration.
Typical dose: 50-100 mcg/day
Easy measuring: At 0.5 mg/mL, 1 unit = 0.01 mL = 0.0050 mg (5 mcg) on a U-100 insulin syringe.
Storage: Lyophilized powder stored frozen at −20 °C and protected from light; reconstituted solution refrigerated at 2-8 °C and used within about 2-4 weeks. Commercial Russian ampoules and intranasal spray are stored refrigerated at 2-8 °C and not frozen.
Half-life: Not formally characterised in peer-reviewed human PK studies; as a small dipeptide it is hydrolysed by peptidases within minutes, yet immunomodulatory effects persist for days, supporting short 3-10 day courses.
Route: Intranasal 0.01% spray (25 mcg/dose) and intramuscular 100 mcg/mL solution in Russia; modelled here as a subcutaneous reconstitution reference for measurement only.
Status: Registered medicine in Russia (Cytomed); NOT FDA- or EMA-approved. The gamma-D isomer SCV-07 reached US Phase 2 but was not approved. Research/educational use only.
About Thymogen
Thymogen (alpha-glutamyl-tryptophan) is a two-amino-acid thymic dipeptide immunomodulator: the Glu-Trp sequence is the active core shared by several natural thymic peptide hormones, and the synthetic dipeptide was designed to reproduce their effect on T-cell maturation and cytokine balance [1][2]. Clinically, and in its Russian regulatory approval, Thymogen is given intranasally as a 0.01% spray (25 mcg per dose) or intramuscularly as a 100 mcg/mL solution; it is NOT injected subcutaneously in routine practice. The subcutaneous reconstitution figures below are an educational measurement reference that mirror how this site presents every compound, not a clinically validated delivery method.\n\nThis guide models a 1 mg vial reconstituted with 2 mL of bacteriostatic water (500 mcg/mL) so that low-microgram doses map cleanly onto a U-100 insulin syringe: 25 mcg ≈ 5 units, 50 mcg ≈ 10 units, and 100 mcg ≈ 20 units. Approved labelling uses 100 mcg once daily (IM) or 25 mcg per nostril twice daily (intranasal), so the practical Thymogen dosage modelled here is 50-100 mcg/day delivered as a short 3-10 day course.\n\nFrequency: Once daily for a short 3-10 day course, repeated no more than four times per year per the Russian label. Thymogen is not FDA- or EMA-approved and is presented here for educational purposes only, not medical advice.
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 2 mL of bacteriostatic water into a sterile syringe.
Inject the water slowly down the inner wall of the 1 mg Thymogen vial; do not aim the stream directly at the powder, and avoid vigorous shaking.
Gently swirl or roll the vial until the solution is completely clear; the result is a 500 mcg/mL concentration (5 mcg per insulin-syringe unit).
Store refrigerated at 2-8 °C and draw the prescribed number of units per dose (25 mcg ≈ 5 units, 50 mcg ≈ 10 units, 100 mcg ≈ 20 units).
Educational note: real-world Thymogen is delivered as an intranasal 0.01% spray (25 mcg/dose) or by intramuscular injection (100 mcg/mL) in Russia — these subcutaneous reconstitution figures are a measurement reference only; for subcutaneous educational modeling, inject slowly and wait a few seconds before withdrawing the needle.
Interactive Thymogen Syringe Calculator
Currently visualizing the 1 mg vial reconstituted with 2 mL bacteriostatic water. Adjust the target dose to dynamically render syringe units.
Reconstitution Calculation: 1mg dry powder in 2mL water yields 0.50 mg/mL. To evaluate a 250mcg dose, pull to 50.0 units (50 syringe ticks).
U-100 Syringe Representation
Educational reference visual. Assumes standard U-100 insulin syringe where 1.0 mL volume = 100 units.
Titration & Dose Escalation Schedules
| Phase | Dose per injection | Units (per injection) |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1-3 — low / intranasal-equivalent start | 25 mcg | 5 units (0.05 mL) |
| Standard daily course (intranasal total per day) | 50 mcg | 10 units (0.10 mL) |
| Full therapeutic — intramuscular-equivalent daily dose | 100 mcg | 20 units (0.20 mL) |
Administration guidelines: Refer to guidelines | 2 mL Reconstitution
Research Supplies Quantity Planner
Scientific mathematical planning of syringes, bacteriostatic water and dry vials needed for extended research blocks using the 1 mg vial.
Peptide Vials (Thymogen, 1 mg each):
- check8 weeks at 50 mcg/day ≈ 3 vials (≈2,800 mcg); at 100 mcg/day ≈ 6 vials
- check12 weeks at 50 mcg/day ≈ 5 vials; at 100 mcg/day ≈ 9 vials
- check16 weeks at 50 mcg/day ≈ 6 vials; at 100 mcg/day ≈ 12 vials
- checkClinically Thymogen is used in 3-10 day courses (1-2 vials each), not continuous 8-16 week regimens — these totals are illustrative reference only
Insulin Syringes (U-100):
- checkOnce-daily dosing: 7 syringes per week
- check8 weeks ≈ 56 syringes; 12 weeks ≈ 84 syringes; 16 weeks ≈ 112 syringes
- checkEach 50-100 mcg dose is only 10-20 units, so a 0.3 mL (30-unit) U-100 syringe improves measurement precision
Bacteriostatic Water (30 mL bottles): Use 2 mL per vial for reconstitution.
- check8 weeks (50 mcg/day) ≈ 3 vials ≈ 6 mL
- check12 weeks (50 mcg/day) ≈ 5 vials ≈ 10 mL; 16 weeks ≈ 6 vials ≈ 12 mL
- checkA single 30 mL bottle comfortably covers a full 16-week reference course at either the 50 or 100 mcg/day dose
Alcohol Swabs: clean the vial stopper and injection site before every dose.
- check1-2 swabs per dose (vial top + injection site)
- check8 weeks ≈ 56-112 swabs; 12 weeks ≈ 84-168 swabs
- check16 weeks ≈ 112-224 swabs; keep extras for re-swabbing the multi-use vial between draws
Mechanism of Action (MOA)
Thymogen is alpha-L-glutamyl-L-tryptophan, a synthetic dipeptide that was isolated from the natural calf-thymus peptide complex Thymalin by reverse-phase HPLC and then chemically synthesised; it represents the smallest active fragment of the thymic peptide pool and was developed by Russian researchers (Morozov, Khavinson and colleagues) as a thymomimetic immunomodulator [1]. Because it is only two amino acids, it is a defined chemical entity rather than a heterogeneous extract, which distinguishes it from Thymalin and from larger thymic peptides such as thymosin alpha-1.\n\nMechanistically, Thymogen is described as stimulating the proliferation and differentiation of T-lymphocyte precursors into mature, immunocompetent T-cells, normalising the ratio of T-helper to T-suppressor cells, and raising intracellular cyclic AMP in T-cell precursors. It is reported to increase thymulin-like serum activity and to nudge the immune response toward a Th1 pattern. In vitro work on the alpha-Glu-Trp form showed that it suppressed TNFα-stimulated production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1α and IL-8 while increasing surface expression of the adhesion molecule ICAM-1 on mononuclear cells, a profile the authors interpreted as simultaneous damping of excessive inflammation and enhancement of cellular functional activity [2]. The dipeptide has also been characterised as an interferon inducer, contributing to its antiviral and anti-infective effects.\n\nAn important caveat for interpreting the literature: most modern peer-reviewed trial data come from a chemically distinct isomer, gamma-D-glutamyl-L-tryptophan (SCV-07/golotimod), rather than the alpha-L form registered as Thymogen. SCV-07 reproducibly shifts T-helper cells toward a Th1-like response and increases interferon-gamma production by thymic and spleen cells, and it has been studied against tuberculosis, HSV-2 and chemoradiation-induced oral mucositis [3][4][5][7]. The two isomers share a glutamyl-tryptophan backbone and overlapping immunomodulatory activity, but they are not identical, and findings cannot be assumed to transfer one-for-one.\n\nPharmacokinetics: as a small dipeptide, Thymogen is rapidly hydrolysed by serum and tissue peptidases, so its plasma half-life is on the order of minutes and a formal human pharmacokinetic profile has not been well characterised in the peer-reviewed literature. Its immunological effects nonetheless persist for days after dosing, which is the rationale for short 3-10 day courses rather than continuous administration. Approved routes are intranasal (mucosal absorption from the 0.01% spray) and intramuscular injection; SCV-07 was additionally active orally in animal models. The subcutaneous reconstitution scheme on this page is an educational measurement convention used across this site, not a clinically validated delivery method.\n\nRegulatory status: Thymogen is a registered medicine in the Russian Federation (manufactured by Cytomed) sold over the counter as a spray and by prescription as an injection. It is not approved by the FDA or EMA, and the related SCV-07 program did not reach approval in the United States [6].
Clinical Trial Efficacy Highlights
- starAnisimov, Khavinson and Morozov (2000, Biogerontology) administered the alpha-L-Glu-L-Trp dipeptide (the active substance of Thymogen) to rats and reported that it slowed age-related changes and reduced the incidence of spontaneous tumours, framing the immunomodulatory dipeptide as a geroprotector that inhibits spontaneous carcinogenesis [1].
- starGolovacheva and colleagues (2023, Cell and Tissue Biology) tested alpha-glutamyl-tryptophan in vitro and found it suppressed TNFα-stimulated production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1α and IL-8 while increasing surface ICAM-1 expression on mononuclear cells, an immunomodulatory rather than purely stimulatory profile consistent with regulating inflammation and supporting tissue repair [2].
- starSimbirtsev and colleagues (2003, Russian Journal of Immunology) studied the glutamyl-tryptophan isomer SCV-07 in a murine tuberculosis model and observed immunostimulatory effects, including promotion of a Th1-like immune response and enhanced macrophage function against Mycobacterium tuberculosis [3].
- starRose, Tuthill and Pyles (2008, International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents) showed that oral SCV-07 (gamma-D-glutamyl-L-tryptophan) at an optimal dose of about 5 mcg/kg significantly reduced recurrent genital HSV-2 lesions in guinea pigs, producing outcomes statistically indistinguishable from topical aciclovir, though the benefit did not persist after treatment stopped [4].
- starAlterovitz and colleagues (2011, Oral Oncology) used Bayesian network analysis to identify gene clusters that predicted which head-and-neck cancer patients responded to gamma-D-glutamyl-L-tryptophan (SCV-07) for attenuation of chemoradiation-induced oral mucositis, distinguishing responders from non-responders with 93-100% accuracy and pointing toward a personalised-medicine application [5].
- starSciClone Pharmaceuticals ran a completed Phase 2, multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled dose-ranging trial (NCT00756951) of SCV-07 at 0.02 and 0.10 mg/kg for delaying the onset of severe oral mucositis in head-and-neck cancer patients receiving chemoradiation; despite an overall efficacy signal in the program, SCV-07 did not advance to regulatory approval [6].
- starZozulya and colleagues (2020, Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova) reported that augmenting standard therapy with gamma-D-glutamyl-L-tryptophan produced a positive reduction in asthenic clinical manifestations in patients with paroxysmal-progressive schizophrenia in remission, alongside immunological changes, supporting an immunomodulatory adjunct role [7].
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.
- warningThymogen is generally reported as very well tolerated at labelled microgram doses, but controlled long-term safety data outside the Russian registration files are limited, and most rigorous trial evidence comes from the related SCV-07 isomer rather than the alpha-L form [3][6].
- warningInjection-site reactions (redness, soreness, transient swelling) are possible with the modeled subcutaneous route and with intramuscular use; the intranasal spray can cause transient nasal irritation, sneezing, or dryness.
- warningHypersensitivity or allergic reaction to the peptide is a contraindication; discontinue immediately if rash, itching, hives, or facial/throat swelling develop.
- warningAs an immunostimulant, there is a theoretical risk of aggravating autoimmune disease; Russian guidance advises caution or avoidance in autoimmune conditions unless use is supervised by an immunologist.
- warningSafety in pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established; the product is generally contraindicated in these settings and should be avoided.
- warningPediatric dosing is lower and age-dependent in the Russian label; the figures on this page are adult-oriented educational references and should not be applied to children.
- warningMost modern clinical trial evidence (tuberculosis, HSV-2, oral mucositis, schizophrenia-associated asthenia) used the chemically distinct gamma-D isomer SCV-07/golotimod, so efficacy and safety cannot be assumed identical for the alpha-L Thymogen form [3][4][5][7].
- warningRegulatory/research status: Thymogen is NOT approved by the FDA or EMA; outside Russia it is sold only for research, has no established consumer safety profile, and this page is educational content, not medical advice.
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 Thymogen dosage?expand_more
In its Russian regulatory labelling the standard Thymogen dosage is 100 mcg once daily by intramuscular injection, or 25 mcg sprayed into each nostril twice daily intranasally. Courses are short (typically 3-10 days, with a course total of roughly 300-1,000 mcg) and are repeated no more than four times per year, with at least a one-month gap between courses. The practical range modelled in this educational guide is 50-100 mcg/day. Because doses are in the low-microgram range, the subcutaneous figures shown here (25 mcg, 50 mcg, 100 mcg per injection) are a measurement reference only; the real routes are intranasal and intramuscular.
Is Thymogen FDA approved?expand_more
No. Thymogen (alpha-glutamyl-tryptophan) is not approved by the FDA or the EMA for any indication. It is a registered medicine in the Russian Federation (manufactured by Cytomed), sold over the counter as a nasal spray and by prescription as an injection. A chemically distinct isomer, gamma-D-glutamyl-L-tryptophan (SCV-07/golotimod), was advanced into Phase 2 trials in the United States for oral mucositis, tuberculosis and hepatitis C but was never approved. Outside Russia, Thymogen is treated as a research compound, and this page is educational information, not medical advice.
What is the half-life of Thymogen?expand_more
A formal human pharmacokinetic half-life has not been well characterised in the peer-reviewed literature. As a small two-amino-acid dipeptide, Thymogen is rapidly broken down by serum and tissue peptidases, so its plasma half-life is on the order of minutes. Its immunological effects, however, persist for days after dosing, which is why it is given in short pulsed 3-10 day courses rather than continuously. This long pharmacodynamic tail combined with a very short plasma residence is typical of thymic peptide immunomodulators.
How is Thymogen reconstituted and administered?expand_more
In real-world use Thymogen does not require reconstitution: it is supplied as a ready-to-use 0.01% intranasal spray (25 mcg/dose) or as a 100 mcg/mL intramuscular solution. For the educational subcutaneous model on this site, a 1 mg vial is mixed with 2 mL of bacteriostatic water to give 500 mcg/mL. Draw the water slowly down the vial wall, swirl gently until clear, and refrigerate. At that concentration 25 mcg ≈ 5 units, 50 mcg ≈ 10 units, and 100 mcg ≈ 20 units on a U-100 insulin syringe; a 0.3 mL (30-unit) syringe improves precision at these small volumes.
Can Thymogen be stacked with other peptides?expand_more
There is no controlled-trial protocol for stacking Thymogen, so any combination is experimental. In Russian practice it is sometimes used alongside other thymic bioregulators such as Thymalin, or with interferon inducers, for immune support, and SCV-07 has been studied as an adjunct to standard antitubercular, antiviral, and chemoradiation regimens. Because it is an immunostimulant, combining it with other immune-active agents could over-activate the immune response and is a particular concern in autoimmune disease. Stacking should only be considered under qualified medical supervision; this site provides educational information, not medical advice.
Related Guides & Tools
Step-by-step references for reconstituting, measuring, and storing Thymogen, plus the universal dosing calculator.
Academic References & Study Citations
Anisimov VN, Khavinson VKh, Morozov VG. Immunomodulatory synthetic dipeptide L-Glu-L-Trp slows down aging and inhibits spontaneous carcinogenesis in rats. Biogerontology. 2000;1(1):55-59. doi:10.1023/A:1010042008969. View Scientific Paper →
Golovacheva EG, Starikova EA, Kudryavtseva TA, Apryatina VA. The Effect of Drugs with alpha-Glutamyl-Tryptophan for Cytokine Secretion and Level of Surface Molecule ICAM-1 In Vitro. Cell and Tissue Biology. 2023;17(2):146-152. View Scientific Paper →
Simbirtsev A, Kolobov A, Zabolotnych N, et al. Biological Activity of Peptide SCV-07 Against Murine Tuberculosis. Russian Journal of Immunology. 2003;8(1):11-22. View Scientific Paper →
Rose WA 2nd, Tuthill C, Pyles RB. An immunomodulating dipeptide, SCV-07, is a potential therapeutic for recurrent genital herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2008;32(3):262-266. View Scientific Paper →
Alterovitz G, Tuthill C, Rios I, Modelska K, Sonis S. Personalized medicine for mucositis: Bayesian networks identify unique gene clusters which predict the response to gamma-D-glutamyl-L-tryptophan (SCV-07) for the attenuation of chemoradiation-induced oral mucositis. Oral Oncol. 2011;47(10):951-955. View Scientific Paper →
SciClone Pharmaceuticals. Dose Ranging Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of SCV-07 for the Delay to Onset of Severe Oral Mucositis in Patients Receiving Chemoradiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer (NCT00756951). ClinicalTrials.gov. View Scientific Paper →
Zozulya SA, Oleichik IV, Yakimets AV, Klyushnik TP. Therapy optimization of asthenic disorders in remissions in patients with paroxysmal-progressive schizophrenia (a clinical and immunological analysis). Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2020;120(6):56-63. View Scientific Paper →