Cortexin
Cortex peptide complex / Neuropeptide bioregulator
A Russian-developed neuropeptide complex derived from porcine cerebral cortex, containing low-molecular-weight neuropeptides, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. Similar in concept to Cerebrolysin but specifically derived from cortical tissue. Approved in Russia for cognitive disorders, stroke recovery, epilepsy, and neurodevelopmental conditions. Exhibits GABA-ergic, nootropic, and neuroprotective activity.
Half-life
~1–2 hours (peptide fractions; neurotrophic effects last 24+ hours)
Typical Dose
10 mg/day IM for 10–20 days
12/20Route
intramuscular
Category
neuroprotective
Evidence Overview
Strength of evidence across clinical, expert, and experimental lanes.
How Cortexin is dosed in practice
Usually taken by intramuscular injection. Typical range: 10 mg/day IM for 10–20 days. Half-life: ~1–2 hours (peptide fractions; neurotrophic effects last 24+ hours). 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.
A prescription medicine registered in Russia. Russian randomized trials in stroke and chronic cerebral ischemia (10–20 mg/day IM for 10 days) reported neurological benefit, but a 2023 systematic review that pooled one cortexin stroke trial with cerebrolysin trials found probably little or no difference in deaths.
- Russian product label
- Russian trials in stroke and cerebral ischemia (2008, 2014, 2018)
- Systematic review in stroke (2023)
Used by neurologists in Russia and CIS countries as a first-line neuroprotective agent. Anti-aging practitioners outside Russia use it for cognitive enhancement. Often alternated with Cerebrolysin courses. 10-day IM courses with 3–6 month intervals.
- Russian and European neurology practice
- Anti-aging medicine clinics — cognitive maintenance protocols
- Khavinson bioregulator system practitioners
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Upgrade to ProSafety & Contraindications
- Known allergy to porcine-derived products
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding (limited safety data)
- Severe hepatic or renal impairment
Cortexin: common questions
What is Cortexin?
A Russian-developed neuropeptide complex derived from porcine cerebral cortex, containing low-molecular-weight neuropeptides, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. Similar in concept to Cerebrolysin but specifically derived from cortical tissue. Approved in Russia for cognitive disorders, stroke recovery, epilepsy, and neurodevelopmental conditions. Exhibits GABA-ergic, nootropic, and neuroprotective activity.
How is Cortexin dosed?
Cortexin is usually taken by intramuscular injection. Typical range in DoseCraft's library: 10 mg/day IM for 10–20 days. Clinical (human trials): 10 mg IM once daily (Russian label); 10 mg twice daily after ischemic stroke; trials used 10–20 mg/day; Once daily (twice daily after stroke); 10-day course; after stroke a second course after a 10-day break; repeat after 3–6 months. Expert (practitioner protocols): 10 mg/day IM reconstituted in 1–2 mL water for injection; Once daily during treatment course; 10-day courses, 2–4 times per year. These ranges describe what has been studied or used; they are not a prescription.
Is Cortexin FDA-approved?
No. Cortexin is not FDA-approved. It is an approved medicine in Russia; that approval applies there only, not in the US.
What is the half-life of Cortexin?
DoseCraft's library lists a half-life of ~1–2 hours (peptide fractions; neurotrophic effects last 24+ hours). Half-life sets how often a compound is dosed and how long it takes to clear: about five half-lives.
Who should not use Cortexin?
Listed contraindications: Known allergy to porcine-derived products; Pregnancy or breastfeeding (limited safety data); Severe hepatic or renal impairment.
Information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting any peptide regimen.
Page updated . How we grade evidence: methodology.