Semax Dosing Protocol: Nasal Spray, Injection, Pen Vial & Reconstitution (2026)

Semax Quick Start

Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide derived from a fragment of ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone), developed in Russia as a nootropic and neuroprotective agent. It is studied for cognition, focus, stress resilience, and recovery in neurological models, and is approved in Russia for several neurological indications. Intranasal delivery is the classic route.

This guide is an educational research reference. It does not diagnose, treat, or prescribe, and is not medical advice. Consult a licensed clinician before considering any compound.

Semax Dosing Protocols

The nasal-spray, injectable (subcutaneous) and pen-vial formats are documented as separate protocols. Intranasal is the traditional Semax route, so the spray maps naturally to most published and community research. Ranges are research-planning references, not personal dosing recommendations.

Semax is short-acting; split daily dosing appears frequently in research planning. It is often researched in blocks of a few weeks. (N-Acetyl Semax is a separate, longer-acting variant.)

Semax Reconstitution Guide

Semax ships as a lyophilized powder. The BAC water volume sets the concentration and draw volume for the injectable vial. Nasal sprays and pen vials both ship ready to use — the pen at a fixed 3 mL fill, so no water is added to it at all.

Reconstitution steps

1. Inspect the vial. Confirm label and intact powder.
2. Wipe the stoppers. Alcohol swab on both vials.
3. Draw BAC water. 2–3 mL into the vial for injection (vial max ~3 mL).
4. Inject down the wall. Release water slowly down the inside wall, not onto the powder.
5. Swirl, do not shake. Roll gently until clear.
6. Refrigerate. Store at 2–8 °C; do not freeze.

How to use the pen vial

1. Inspect the vial. Confirm the label and strength. The solution should be clear and colorless.
2. Never add water. A pen vial ships at its final 3 mL volume. Adding bacteriostatic water would dilute it and invalidate every unit figure on this page.
3. Load the vial into the pen. Unscrew the pen's cartridge holder, seat the vial, and screw the holder back on until firm.
4. Attach a fresh needle tip. Screw a new disposable pen needle onto the holder, then pull off the outer and inner caps. Use a new tip for every dose.
5. Prime the pen. Dial 2 units, hold the pen needle-up, tap the holder so any air rises to the top, and press the button until a drop appears at the tip. Repeat until it does.
6. Spin to the dose. Turn the dial to the unit figure from the table above. If you overshoot, spin back — never press the button to correct an overshoot.
7. Inject and hold. Press the button all the way down, then keep the needle in place for about ten seconds before withdrawing so the full dose is delivered.
8. Remove and dispose of the needle. Unscrew the tip into a sharps container. Never store the pen with a needle attached — it lets solution leak out and air in.
9. Cap and refrigerate. Store the pen with the vial still seated at 2–8 °C. Do not freeze.

How to use the nasal spray

1. Prime first use. Pump 2–3 sprays into a tissue until a fine, even mist appears.
2. Position. Tilt the head slightly forward; insert the tip just inside one nostril, aimed slightly outward toward the ear — not at the septum.
3. Spray and breathe. Press once while breathing in gently; do not sniff hard, which sends the solution down the throat instead of onto the mucosa.
4. Alternate nostrils. For multi-spray doses, switch nostrils each spray to spread absorption and limit irritation.
5. Count per the protocol. Use the sprays-per-dose shown above; if a dose isn't a whole number, round up.
6. Between uses. Wipe the tip, recap, and refrigerate.

How Semax Works

Semax is an analog of the ACTH(4–10) fragment but, unlike ACTH, it does not stimulate cortisol release. Research reports that it increases expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF), modulates dopaminergic and serotonergic activity, and has neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects in the central nervous system. Its activity is enhanced by being relatively resistant to breakdown compared with the parent fragment.

Who Should Avoid Semax

Semax Side Effects & Safety

Timeline & What to Monitor

Research Evidence Context

Storage & Handling

Mistakes & Troubleshooting

1. Nasal irritation. Alternate nostrils; pause if it persists. Consider the injectable format.
2. Feeling over-stimulated. Lower the dose or avoid late-day administration.
3. Missed dose. Skip and continue at the next scheduled time; Semax is short-acting.
4. Left out overnight. Treat reconstituted solution as compromised and discard.

Semax vs Selank vs N-Acetyl Semax

Semax Formats & Sourcing

The protocols above are written against the formats Semax is actually supplied in. Batch-specific Certificates of Analysis are issued per lot; always verify the strength on the label against the figures used here before calculating anything.

5-packs are available for the nasal spray and vial formats. Strengths and formats are listed as sold; confirm against the product page and the batch COA.

References

1. Ashmarin IP, et al. Semax: an ACTH(4–10) analog with nootropic properties. Neurosci Behav Physiol (review).
2. Dolotov OV, et al. Semax and BDNF expression in the rat hippocampus. J Neurochem / Neurosci Lett (2006).
3. Medvedeva EV, et al. Semax in cerebral ischemia models. Mol Biol / J Mol Neurosci (2014).
4. Kaplan A, et al. Clinical use of Semax in ischemic stroke. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr (review).