Selank 10 mg — Quick Chart
Dosing & Reconstitution Overview
Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide derived from the immunomodulatory fragment tuftsin, carrying the amino-acid sequence Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro. The figures below are compiled strictly for laboratory and educational reference — they describe how the compound is handled and measured, not a recommendation for use in humans or animals.
For a 10 mg vial, adding 3.0 mL of bacteriostatic water yields a concentration of approximately 3.33 mg/mL (about 3,333 mcg/mL). At that fill, every 0.01 mL drawn on a U-100 insulin syringe equals 1 unit and corresponds to roughly 33.3 mcg of material, which keeps the small daily amounts easy to measure.
Standard (Gradual) Titration Schedule
The gradual schedule steps the daily amount upward over the first month, beginning at the low end of the studied range and increasing once tolerability is established. Selank is short-acting, so the published research model uses a once-daily cadence.
| Phase | Daily Dose | Units (U-100) | Volume | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–2 | 300 mcg (0.30 mg) | 9 units | 0.09 mL | Once daily |
| Weeks 3–4 | 500 mcg (0.50 mg) | 15 units | 0.15 mL | Once daily |
Reconstitution Steps
- Let the sealed lyophilized vial and the bacteriostatic water reach room temperature, then wipe both stoppers with an alcohol swab.
- Draw 3.0 mL of bacteriostatic water and inject it slowly down the inside wall of the vial — never directly onto the powder pellet, to avoid foaming.
- Swirl or roll gently until fully dissolved. Do not shake; aggressive agitation can shear the peptide.
- The solution should be clear and colourless. Label the vial with the concentration (~3.33 mg/mL) and the reconstitution date.
- Store upright under refrigeration between uses, protected from light, and draw subsequent volumes with a fresh sterile syringe each time.
Extended (Cycled) Schedule
Because Selank's effects can attenuate with continuous exposure (tachyphylaxis), the research model favours cycling rather than an ever-escalating dose. The schedule below holds the daily amount steady while alternating on and off blocks.
| Block | Daily Dose | Units (U-100) | Volume | Pattern |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–4 (on) | 500 mcg (0.50 mg) | 15 units | 0.15 mL | Daily, then pause |
| Weeks 5–8 (off) | — | — | — | No dosing |
| Alternative | 500 mcg (0.50 mg) | 15 units | 0.15 mL | 5 days on / 2 days off |
Continuous human trials have run for short, defined courses — a 14-day regimen was reported as well tolerated — rather than open-ended daily use, which is why the reference model builds in scheduled breaks.
Supplies Needed
- Selank vials (10 mg): ~2 vials for an 8-week course; ~4 vials for 12 weeks; ~5 vials for 16 weeks.
- Insulin syringes (U-100, 1 mL): ~56 for 8 weeks, ~84 for 12 weeks, ~112 for 16 weeks (one fresh syringe per daily draw).
- Bacteriostatic water (10 mL): one bottle covers an 8-week course; two bottles for a 12–16 week run.
- Alcohol swabs: two to three 100-count boxes comfortably cover an 8–16 week schedule.
Protocol Overview
- Research goal: model anxiolytic and anti-asthenic neuropeptide activity without sedation or dependence signals.
- Schedule: once-daily administration in the published model, often run in cycled blocks.
- Dose band: 300–500 mcg daily.
- Fill: 10 mg lyophilized, reconstituted to ~3.33 mg/mL with 3 mL diluent.
- Storage: −20 °C dry; 2–8 °C once reconstituted.
Dosing Protocol Notes
- Begin at the 300 mcg step and hold for about two weeks before moving to 500 mcg.
- Keep administration on a fixed daily time where possible for steady exposure modelling.
- Build in scheduled off-periods (4 on / 4 off, or 5 days on / 2 off) to limit tachyphylaxis.
- The studied human route is intranasal; subcutaneous figures here are measurement reference only.
Storage Instructions
Keep sealed lyophilized vials at −20 °C, protected from light, where stability extends for many months; short periods at 2–8 °C are acceptable. Once reconstituted, refrigerate at 2–8 °C and use within roughly one month. Allow refrigerated solution to warm slightly before drawing, and avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles, which degrade the peptide.
Important Handling Notes
- Use a sterile syringe for every draw and never re-enter the vial with a used needle.
- Rotate sampling/handling technique to keep the stopper intact.
- Keep the vial shielded from light during storage and between draws.
- Document each draw — date, volume, remaining material — for reproducibility.
How Selank Works
Selank is a synthetic analog of tuftsin, a naturally occurring immunomodulatory peptide, stabilised by an added tripeptide tail to extend its activity. In published Russian research it is described as influencing the balance of monoamine and GABAergic signalling and modulating the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and certain interleukins. Intranasal administration produced anxiolytic effects reported as comparable to benzodiazepines, but without the sedation, motor impairment or dependence potential associated with that drug class — which is the property that distinguishes it in the comparative literature.
Reported Benefits & Side Effects
Benefits observed in research
- Anxiolytic activity reported as comparable to benzodiazepines, without sedation.
- Anti-asthenic (anti-fatigue) effects suitable for daytime use without measurable impairment.
- Reduction of fear and anxiety behaviours with longer-lasting stabilising effects in primate studies.
- A 14-day continuous course described as well tolerated and effective in human neurasthenia and anxiety trials.
Side effects reported
- Occasional mild injection-site reactions (redness, minor irritation) in the subcutaneous context.
- Proper site rotation is noted to minimise local irritation.
- Generally well tolerated; notably lacks the sedative and dependence effects of benzodiazepines.
Injection / Handling Technique (Reference Only)
- Prepare the vial and site with alcohol swabs and let them dry.
- Insert subcutaneously at a 45–90° angle depending on needle length; aspiration is not required for subcutaneous work.
- Rotate sites systematically to limit local irritation from daily administration.
- Dispose of sharps in an approved container after a single use.
References
- Zozulya AA, et al. Efficacy and possible mechanisms of action of a new peptide anxiolytic (Selank) in generalised anxiety disorder. Clinical trial (2008). pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18454096
- Medvedev VE, et al. Selank in the therapy of anxiety and asthenic disorders — 14-day course. Zhurnal Nevrologii i Psikhiatrii (2008). pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18577961
- Kolomin T, et al. The temporary dynamics of inflammation-related genes expression under Selank action. BioMed Research International / Neural Plasticity (2017). hindawi.com/journals/bn/2017/5091027
- Kozlovskaya MM, et al. Behavioural effects of Selank in primate models. Journal of Evolutionary Biochemistry and Physiology (2008). link.springer.com/article/10.1134/S0022093008030101
- Selank and opioid withdrawal attenuation in animal models. Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine (2022). doi.org/10.1007/s10517-022-05624-x