Cerebrolysin
FPE 1070 / Brain-derived peptide mixture
A porcine brain-derived peptide preparation of low-molecular-weight neuropeptides and amino acids, studied for neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects. It is a registered medicine in Austria, Russia and other countries for stroke, brain injury and dementia, given mainly by IV infusion; it is not FDA-approved. Trial results are mixed: the largest stroke trial missed its primary endpoint.
Half-life
~1 hour (peptide fractions; neurotrophic effects persist days)
Typical Dose
5–30 mL/day IM or IV
18/30Route
intramuscular
Category
neuroprotective
Evidence Overview
Strength of evidence across clinical, expert, and experimental lanes.
How Cerebrolysin is dosed in practice
Usually taken by intramuscular injection. Typical range: 5–30 mL/day IM or IV. Half-life: ~1 hour (peptide fractions; neurotrophic effects persist days). Each card gives the dose, frequency and duration from one evidence lane: Clinical (human trials), Expert (practitioner protocols) or Experimental (early or animal data). These ranges describe what has been studied or used; they are not a prescription.
Work out the units to draw with the reconstitution calculator, how long a vial lasts with the vial duration calculator, and how levels fall between doses with the half-life calculator.
Registered in Austria and Russia; not FDA-approved. Trials gave it by IV infusion. The largest stroke trial (2012, 1,070 patients) missed its primary endpoint, a smaller rehabilitation trial (2016) reported better arm function at day 90, and a 2023 systematic review found it probably does not reduce deaths after stroke. Dementia trials reported modest cognitive gains.
- Randomized trial in acute ischemic stroke (2012)
- Randomized rehabilitation trial after stroke (2016)
- Randomized trials in vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease (2006, 2011)
- Systematic review in stroke (2023)
Neurologists in Europe and Asia routinely prescribe for post-stroke recovery and mild cognitive impairment. Some anti-aging practitioners use low-dose IM courses for cognitive optimization. Not FDA-approved in the US but available through compounding.
- European and Asian neurology clinical practice guidelines
- Anti-aging medicine practitioners — cognitive optimization protocols
- International stroke treatment protocols
Biohacking community uses IM injections for cognitive enhancement and neuroprotection. Reports of improved mental clarity, focus, and memory after 10-day courses. Some users combine with other nootropic peptides like Semax and Selank.
- Nootropic community protocols for cognitive enhancement
- Reddit r/Nootropics — Cerebrolysin experience reports
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Upgrade to ProSafety & Contraindications
- Epilepsy or seizure disorders (lowers seizure threshold)
- Severe renal insufficiency
- Known allergy to porcine-derived products
Cerebrolysin: common questions
What is Cerebrolysin?
A porcine brain-derived peptide preparation of low-molecular-weight neuropeptides and amino acids, studied for neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects. It is a registered medicine in Austria, Russia and other countries for stroke, brain injury and dementia, given mainly by IV infusion; it is not FDA-approved. Trial results are mixed: the largest stroke trial missed its primary endpoint.
How is Cerebrolysin dosed?
Cerebrolysin is usually taken by intramuscular injection. Typical range in DoseCraft's library: 5–30 mL/day IM or IV. Clinical (human trials), intravenously (IV): 10–30 mL/day by IV infusion (stroke 30 mL; vascular dementia 20 mL; Alzheimer's 10 mL); Once daily (5 days a week in dementia trials); 10–21 days after stroke; 4-week cycles in dementia. Expert (practitioner protocols): Up to 5 mL IM per injection for cognitive courses; 20–30 mL IV for acute neurological use; Daily for 10–20 day courses; 10–20 day courses, 2–4 times per year. Experimental (early or animal data): 5 mL IM daily; Daily for 10-day courses; 10-day courses, 3–4 times per year. These ranges describe what has been studied or used; they are not a prescription.
Is Cerebrolysin FDA-approved?
No. Cerebrolysin is not FDA-approved. It is an approved medicine in Austria, Russia and other countries; that approval applies there only, not in the US.
What is the half-life of Cerebrolysin?
DoseCraft's library lists a half-life of ~1 hour (peptide fractions; neurotrophic effects persist days). Half-life sets how often a compound is dosed and how long it takes to clear: about five half-lives.
Who should not use Cerebrolysin?
Listed contraindications: Epilepsy or seizure disorders (lowers seizure threshold); Severe renal insufficiency; Known allergy to porcine-derived products.
Information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting any peptide regimen.
Page updated . How we grade evidence: methodology.