Semax: research, legal status and who sells it

What it is

Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide analogue of the ACTH(4–10) fragment of adrenocorticotropic hormone [2]. It is a registered drug in Russia, where it is available as nasal drops [2].

Research status

Clinical evidence comes mostly from small Russian studies published in Russian, such as a 1997 study of 30 patients in the acute phase of ischemic stroke compared with 80 conventionally treated controls [10]. In rats, semax increased transcription of neurotrophins and their receptors in the brain after experimental stroke [11]. FDA reviewed semax for cerebral ischemia, migraine and trigeminal neuralgia and found that the available references showed a lack of effectiveness and were limited by small sample sizes [2].

Regulatory status

Semax is not FDA-approved [1]. FDA staff proposed not adding it to the 503A compounding list, citing poor characterization, missing endotoxin data for injectable use and insufficient evidence of effectiveness [2]. FDA’s advisory committee nonetheless voted to recommend it in July 2026; the vote is not binding and FDA has not added it [12][3]. No semax medicine is authorized in the UK, the EU or Canada [4][5][6][7]. It is not named in Australia’s Poisons Standard [8] or on WADA’s 2026 Prohibited List [9].

Quality and testing considerations

FDA notes that it is often unclear whether the semax described in sources is the free base or a salt, and that it has encountered multiple salts and derivatives sold under the same name [2]. It also reports that injectable and intranasal semax products are widely marketed in the US through clinics and online retailers for a long list of conditions [2]. A certificate of analysis should state the form tested and include an endotoxin result.

Where it’s sold

Semax is sold online as intranasal and injectable products, according to FDA [2]; the tables below track listings.