Semax
Also known as: ACTH(4-7) analog, Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro, MEHFPGP, Semax acetate
Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide based on a fragment of the hormone ACTH (amino acids 4 to 7), with an added Pro-Gly-Pro sequence intended to slow enzymatic breakdown. It was developed in Russia and is registered there as a pharmaceutical, most often supplied as a nasal formulation. It is not approved by the FDA in the United States.
Often sold in blends: Semax / Selank.
How it works
Research in animals and cell models indicates that Semax influences brain signaling molecules, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF), and interacts with central melanocortin receptors. Preclinical work suggests it does not activate the adrenal ACTH receptor, so it is not expected to raise cortisol the way ACTH does. The precise mechanisms in humans are not fully established.
Researched uses
- Studied for recovery after ischemic stroke
- Studied for cognitive function and attention
- Studied for neuroprotection following cerebral ischemia
- Studied for optic nerve disorders
- Studied for migraine and related neurological conditions
Not FDA-approved in the United States. There is no FDA-approved branded Semax product and no USP monograph. Semax is registered as a pharmaceutical in Russia, where it has been used clinically for cerebrovascular conditions, but that approval does not apply in the US. US regulatory handling of Semax for compounding has changed over time. In 2023 the FDA placed it in a category that effectively barred compounding, and in 2026 it was slated for further FDA advisory committee review regarding the Section 503A bulk substances list. As of this writing Semax is not established within the US licensed pharmacy system, and products sold online as Semax are generally marketed as research chemicals rather than approved medicines.
Semax providers compared
Providers that have passed our rubric review are listed first, then ordered by the total cost of a 3-month protocol. We average every cost to a standard 3-month protocol, which our medical advisors consider the best basis for comparing cost and value, and the headline figure folds in any one-time consult or provider-review fee plus three months of membership. Use the calculator below to adjust the length and see the same total broken out.
| Provider | Sourcing | What's included | Verified | Visit provider | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Valhalla VitalityVerified Semax n-Acetyl Nasal Spray Therapy | 503A pharmacy | $405 for 3 months (est.) ≈3 vials · $135/vial | No consult fee · no membership | Jul 9, 2026 vial price | View |
Ellie MDVerified Semax Nasal Spray | 503A pharmacy | $600 for 3 months $200 per month | No consult fee · no membership · shipping included | Jul 7, 2026 | View |
We average every cost to a standard 3-month protocol, which our medical advisors consider the best window for comparing cost and value. Monthly plans are multiplied by 3 and 3-month programs are taken as billed; each provider's own sticker price and cadence are shown underneath.
The headline figure is the total 3-month cost: the medication plus any one-time consult or provider-review fee (for example RxPepsDirect's $39) and three months of any membership fee. Where a fee is not published we fold in what is known and flag that other fees may apply.
Per-vial providers are averaged to a 3-month protocol at roughly one vial per month (3 vials), marked "est.", with the per-vial price shown underneath. Actual vial count depends on your dose and protocol.
Prices are gathered from each provider's public pages. The "Verified" date is when we last checked the provider's sticker price; for per-vial providers it is the vial price that was verified, not the averaged 3-month total.
Value check: total cost of therapy
This is the real value comparison. A sticker price hides consult and membership fees, so this adds everything up for a full protocol of Semax and ranks by true total cost. We default to a 3-month protocol, the window our medical advisors consider best for judging value.
Per-vial providers are estimated at about one vial per month (3 vials for 3 months), plus any one-time consult. Actual vial count depends on your dose and protocol, so the real cost may run higher or lower.
Safety notes
Most published safety data come from Russian clinical use and report mild, transient effects, such as nasal irritation with intranasal use and occasional changes in alertness. Regulatory reviewers have noted possible signals from nonclinical data, including effects on blood clotting and on dopamine activity, that warrant caution. Independent, large-scale safety data outside Russia are limited. Products sold outside the licensed pharmacy system are unregulated, so their identity, purity, and dose cannot be assured.
Semax questions
How much does Semax cost?
Across the licensed providers tracked here, a full 3-month protocol of Semax totals $405 to $600, depending on the provider, dose, and what is included. We average every cost to a standard 3-month protocol, which our medical advisors consider the best basis for comparing cost and value, and the total folds in any one-time consult or provider-review fee and three months of membership. Each price shows the date the provider's sticker price was verified.
Is Semax approved by the FDA?
No. Semax is not FDA-approved in the United States. It is registered as a pharmaceutical in Russia, but that status does not apply in the US, where it has generally been sold as a research chemical.
What does the research on Semax actually show?
Most clinical studies come from Russia and focus on ischemic stroke recovery and cognition. Some reported improvements in neurological outcomes, but the studies have had limited independent replication outside Russia, so the evidence is best described as preliminary.
How is Semax typically administered, and is it easy to obtain?
In its Russian pharmaceutical form it is usually given as a nasal preparation. Availability and cost in the US are not governed by an approved-drug pathway, and material sold online is unregulated, so quality and identity cannot be assured.