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Semax の理想的な構造図

配列から構築した理想化コンフォマー。実験構造でも予測構造でもありません。

ひと目でわかる

ENTRY TYPE
approved drug
IDENTITY
Sequence verified

No structure asset recorded

TOP EVIDENCE
Grade B — Acute ischemic stroke (adjunct)
MAJOR STATUS
Jurisdiction-specific — see status table
SPORT
Check current rules — as of 2026-08-06
VERIFIED
2026-08-06

Bottom line

Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide (Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro) derived from the ACTH(4-10) fragment by C-terminal extension with Pro-Gly-Pro for metabolic stability. It is a registered prescription medicine in Russia for acute ischemic stroke, cognitive impairment, and optic neuropathy, but has not undergone review by the FDA, EMA, or MHRA. The evidence base consists predominantly of Russian clinical studies; no large Western-standard multi-center has been conducted.

Identity and composition

FieldVerified information
Preferred nameSemax
Key aliasesACTH(4-7)-Pro-Gly-Pro, Semax acetate
Molecular/sequence identityL-Met-L-Glu-L-His-L-Phe-L-Pro-L-Gly-L-Pro (heptapeptide)
Modifications/formC-terminal Pro-Gly-Pro stabilising extension added to ACTH(4-7); acetate salt common
Stable identifiersCAS 80714-61-0; 9811102; UNII I5FAL2585H
Identity caveatsDistinct from native ACTH — sequence modification eliminates steroidogenic activity; PubChem lists a related entry under CID 155977617

Development and approval status

JurisdictionStatus and indicationProduct/sourceAs of
RussiaApproved, Rx — acute ischemic stroke (0.1% nasal), cognitive impairment/asthenia (1% nasal), optic neuropathySemax (PEPTEK)1994 (initial); listed on Vital and Essential Drugs 2011
UkraineApproved for similar neurological indicationsSemax
FDA (US)Not approved2026-08
EMA (EU)Not approved2026-08
MHRA (UK)Not approved2026-08
Health CanadaNot approved2026-08
Status is multi-axis
Semax authorization and sport-status profileFour medicine-authorization axes reproduce only documented status rows; sport status is shown separately.UNITED STATESNot approvedSOURCE / AS OFROW 3 / 2026-08EU/EEANot approvedSOURCE / AS OFROW 4 / 2026-08UNITED KINGDOMNot approvedSOURCE / AS OFROW 5 / 2026-08OTHER DOCUMENTED3 status rows — see tableApproved, Rx — acute ischemicSOURCE / AS OFROW 1 / 1994 (initial); listed on Vital and Essential Drugs 2011SPORT STATUS — SEPARATE FROM MEDICINE AUTHORIZATIONWADA: not identified by exact name in the 2026 List. This page records a current Russiangovernmental approval, so S0 cannot be inferred merely from lack of FDA/EMA approval.
Authorization belongs to the named product, use, place, and date; sport status is independent.
テキストによる説明
UNITED STATES
FDA (US): Not approved
EU/EEA
EMA (EU): Not approved
UNITED KINGDOM
MHRA (UK): Not approved
OTHER DOCUMENTED
Russia: Approved, Rx — acute ischemic stroke (0.1% nasal), cognitive impairment/asthenia (1% nasal), optic neuropathy; Ukraine: Approved for similar neurological indications; Health Canada: Not approved

Sport status: WADA: not identified by exact name in the 2026 List. This page records a current Russian governmental approval, so S0 cannot be inferred merely from lack of FDA/EMA approval. Athletes should obtain a current case-specific classification.

Mechanism and pharmacology

Semax acts as a melanocortin receptor modulator (MC3R, MC4R) without stimulating adrenal corticosterone production. It upregulates BDNF and NGF expression in the brain, modulates serotonergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission, and exerts anti-inflammatory effects in ischemia models through suppression of proinflammatory mRNA transcripts. The peptide crosses the blood-brain barrier efficiently via intranasal administration. Evidence for these mechanisms is predominantly from studies and Russian clinical research.

Evidence by claim

Claim/indicationStageGradeBest human evidenceMain resultImportant limitations
Acute ischemic stroke (adjunct)Approved (Russia)BGusev et al. 2005 (n=110+)Improved Barthel index and motor scores vs standard careOpen or single-blind; no Western-standard multicentre
Cognitive impairment (chronic cerebrovascular)Approved (Russia)CGusev et al. 2005 (n=187)Reduced stroke/TIA risk, clinical improvementSingle-country; limited methodological detail in English
Nootropic in healthy adultsUnapproved off-labelENo adequate -controlled trials in EnglishOnly marketing extrapolations available
Optic neuropathyApproved (Russia)CRussian clinical seriesVisual function improvement claimedNo controlled trial published in English
エビデンスグレード
  • AグレードA: 特定の表示使用に対して確立
  • BグレードB: 中等度のヒトエビデンス
  • CグレードC: 予備的ヒトエビデンス
  • DグレードD: 前臨床のみ
  • EグレードE: 逸話的/マーケティング主張
  • XグレードX: エビデンスが主張と矛盾するか、支持しない
エビデンスグレーディングの詳細
Claim-evidence profile
Semax claim-evidence profileA: 0 claims; B: 1 claim; C: 2 claims; D: 0 claims; E: 1 claim; X: 0 claimsCONTRADICTORY / NON-SUPPORTIVEA — Established for a specific labeled useGrade A: Established for a specific labeled use — current approval plus adequate controlled trials and post-market context.0 claimsB — Moderate human evidenceGrade B: Moderate human evidence — multiple controlled studies or a strong pivotal study, but no current approval for the claim.1 claimAcute ischemic stroke (adjunct)C — Preliminary human evidenceGrade C: Preliminary human evidence — small, uncontrolled, surrogate-endpoint, or early-phase studies.2 claimsCognitive impairment (chronic…Optic neuropathyD — Preclinical onlyGrade D: Preclinical only — in vitro or animal evidence with no adequate human efficacy evidence.0 claimsE — Anecdotal/marketing claimGrade E: Anecdotal/marketing claim — testimonials, extrapolation, or vendor claims without adequate scientific support.1 claimNootropic in healthy adultsX — Evidence contradicts or does not support the claimGrade X: Evidence contradicts or does not support the claim — adequate negative evidence, failed program, or claim inconsistent with the studied material.0 claims
This counts the page's claim rows; it does not average them into a score.
テキストによる説明

Text alternative for the claim-evidence diagram. Each grade is defined below:

AEstablished for a specific labeled use
0 claims
BModerate human evidence
1 claim: Acute ischemic stroke (adjunct)
CPreliminary human evidence
2 claims: Cognitive impairment (chronic cerebrovascular); Optic neuropathy
DPreclinical only
0 claims
EAnecdotal/marketing claim
1 claim: Nootropic in healthy adults
XEvidence contradicts or does not support the claim
0 claims
United StatesNot approved
EU/EEANot approved
United KingdomNot approved
OtherApproved, Rx — acute ischemic stroke (0.1% nasal), cognitive impairment/asthenia (1% nasal), optic neuropathyApproved for similar neurological indicationsNot approved

Key studies

StudyDesign/populationExposure studiedEndpoints and resultLimitations
Gusev et al. 2005Acute stroke (n=110+); intranasal Semax vs standard care6–18 mg/day × 5–10 daysImproved Barthel index, MRC motor scoresSingle-country; limited English-language methods; PMID 15792140
Gusev et al. 1997Acute stroke (n=110+); phase 2/36–18 mg/day × 5–10 daysNeurological recovery improvementPreliminary report; PMID 11517472
Dergunova et al. 2021Rat ischemia modelSemax vs vehicleSuppressed proinflammatory mRNA transcripts only; PMID 34107114

Dose and administration evidence

Approved labeled regimen

The label summary below is product-, indication-, and jurisdiction-specific; consult the full current label and a licensed clinician/pharmacist.

Russian-approved regimens (intranasal solution):

  • Acute ischemic stroke (moderate): 12 mg/day × 5–10 days

  • Acute ischemic stroke (severe): 18 mg/day × 5–10 days

  • Post-stroke recovery: 6 mg/day across two 10-day courses

  • Cognitive/nootropic: 0.1% nasal solution, typical course 10–14 days

Studied regimens (not recommendations)

Clinical studies used the approved intranasal doses above.

What is not established

  • Long-term or repeated-course safety and efficacy

  • Dose for any non-approved indication (cognitive enhancement in healthy adults, neurodegeneration)

  • Compatibility with any compounding formulation outside the registered product

Safety

Established label risks

No boxed warnings (not FDA-approved). Russian labeling lists: mild nasal irritation, occasional headache, mild insomnia with late-day dosing. Contraindications: acute psychosis, pregnancy/breastfeeding, seizure disorders (caution), hypersensitivity.

Human-study signals

Mild blood-glucose elevations reported in ~7.4% of diabetic patients in Russian post-marketing surveillance. No documented dependence, withdrawal syndrome, or HPA-axis suppression.

Unknowns and product-quality risks

No Western pharmacovigilance data exist. Long-term safety beyond 14–30 day courses has not been systematically studied. BDNF/NGF upregulation raises a theoretical concern for patients with neural tumours. No large reproductive toxicology study in English. Products sold as "research use only" outside Russia lack regulatory oversight, sterility assurance, and dose consistency.

Interactions and special populations

  • Russian labeling: caution in diabetes (monitor glucose); contraindicated in pregnancy and breastfeeding

  • Drug-drug interaction data with Western psychotropics are absent

  • No paediatric safety studies in English

  • No interaction studies identified

Regulatory, compounding, and sport notes

  • : not identified by exact name in the 2026 List. This page records a current Russian governmental approval, so cannot be inferred merely from lack of FDA/EMA approval. Athletes should obtain a current case-specific classification.

  • US DEA: not scheduled

  • Listed on Russian List of Vital and Essential Drugs

  • Semax was not found on the reviewed FDA bulks list. That absence does not by itself resolve whether a particular preparation satisfies sections 503A or 503B; a current fact-specific assessment is required.

Evidence gaps

Search notes

  • Databases and registries: PubMed, PubChem, DailyMed/GSRS, ClinicalTrials.gov, Russian state register

  • Search terms: Semax, ACTH(4-10), 80714-61-0, Gusev, ischemic stroke

  • Last searched: 2026-08-06

  • Inclusion emphasis: human trials, regulatory records, systematic reviews, authoritative identity databases

Sources

  1. PubChem CID 9811102. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/9811102

  2. GSRS UNII I5FAL2585H. https://gsrs.ncats.nih.gov/

  3. Gusev EI et al. (2005) Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. PMID 15792140

  4. Gusev EI et al. (1997) Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. PMID 11517472

  5. Dergunova LV et al. (2021) Int J Mol Sci. PMID 34107114

  6. Russian government decree No. 2139-r (2011) — List of Vital and Essential Drugs

専門家の声

専門家の見解

コメントは個人の見解であり、エビデンスレビューの一部ではありません。掲載は支持を意味しません。

この化合物について、本アトラスが受け入れる情報源 — 査読付き文献、大学・病院・医学会の発表、規制当局、署名入りサイエンスジャーナリズム — において、検証済みの専門家コメントは見つかりませんでした。

コメントがないことは、化合物に関するいずれの方向の証拠にもなりません。

ベンダー、クリニック、ソーシャルメディアの主張はポリシーにより除外され、コメントとしてカウントされません。

この化合物について、本アトラスの情報源において検証済みの専門家ビデオは見つかりませんでした。

ビデオコメントがないことは、化合物に関するいずれの方向の証拠にもなりません。

ベンダーとソーシャルメディアのビデオはポリシーにより除外され、カウントされません。

質問

Is Semax FDA-approved?

Semax is not approved by the FDA, EMA, MHRA, or Health Canada. It is approved in Russia as a prescription nootropic and stroke treatment since 1994, and also approved in Ukraine for similar neurological indications. Status in other jurisdictions requires a current national-register check.

What does the evidence show for Semax and acute ischemic stroke?

Semax is approved in Russia for acute ischemic stroke based on studies such as Gusev et al. 2005 (n=110+), which reported improved Barthel index and motor scores versus standard care. The evidence is graded B and is limited by open or single-blind designs with no Western-standard multicentre RCT.

Is Semax the same as ACTH?

Semax is derived from the ACTH(4-7) fragment but is distinct from native ACTH. Its C-terminal Pro-Gly-Pro stabilising extension eliminates steroidogenic activity, meaning it does not stimulate adrenal corticosterone production. It has a different sequence and pharmacological profile from native ACTH.

What are Semax's main safety signals?

Russian labeling reports mild nasal irritation, occasional headache, and mild insomnia when taken late in the day. Mild blood-glucose elevations occurred in ~7.4% of diabetic patients in post-marketing surveillance. No dependence, withdrawal, or HPA-axis suppression is documented. No Western pharmacovigilance data exist.

Is Semax prohibited in sport?

Semax was not identified by exact name in the 2026 WADA Prohibited List. The monograph notes that because Semax has current Russian governmental approval, S0 classification cannot be inferred merely from lack of FDA/EMA approval. Athletes should obtain a current case-specific classification.

Does Semax have Western-standard clinical trial evidence?

No. No large multi-centre double-blind RCT meeting Western regulatory standards has been conducted. Most of the original literature is in Russian-language journals with limited methods reporting, and no independent Western replication of Russian stroke or cognition data has occurred.

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