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Semax vs Selank: how they differ

Two Russian-developed seven-amino-acid peptides, compared on the facts. Not a recommendation.

Semax and Selank are both seven-amino-acid peptides developed in Russia. Semax is built on a fragment of ACTH and was studied for stroke; Selank is a tuftsin analog studied for anxiety. Semax is on HHS’s October 2026 compounding list; Selank is not. Semax and Selank are not FDA-approved, and REMEVi does not currently offer either.

Semax is not FDA-approved. Since HHS’s October 2026 interim policy, a state-licensed 503A pharmacy may compound it on a patient-specific prescription under listed conditions.

REMEVi does not currently offer Semax.

Semax and Selank side by side

Semax vs Selank, from the sources listed below. Checked 2026-11-02.
SemaxSelank
SequenceMet-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro (seven amino acids)Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro (seven amino acids)
Built onA fragment of ACTH (4-10), a pituitary hormoneTuftsin; research papers describe Selank as a tuftsin analog
Group in a 2022 review of Russian peptide drugsNootropic drugAnxiolytic
Studied in people forIschemic stroke, optic nerve disease, motor neuron disease (small Russian studies)Generalized anxiety and related disorders, compared with benzodiazepines (small Russian studies)
Route in published researchIntranasalIntranasal in animal studies
FDA statusNot FDA-approvedNot FDA-approved
HHS October 2026 compounding policyListed: Semax free base, intranasalNot listed
REMEViNot currently offeredNot currently offered

Selank is not on the HHS list

HHS’s interim enforcement-discretion policy for 503A compounding (Federal Register, October 30, 2026) covers six peptides: BPC-157, TB-500, Epitalon, Semax, KPV and MOTS-c. Selank is not one of them, so the interim policy does not apply to compounding Selank. Selank is not FDA-approved.

The policy also requires a single active ingredient per product. A combined Semax-and-Selank product would fall outside it on that condition alone, separately from Selank not being listed.

Read the Federal Register notice · The 2026 HHS peptide policy, explained

What the research on each covers

Both peptides come from Russian research groups, and the human studies for each are small. Semax studies measured rehabilitation scores and BDNF after stroke, and quality of life in motor neuron disease. Selank studies compared it with the benzodiazepines medazepam and phenazepam in people with anxiety disorders; the medazepam study reported similar anxiety-scale results for both. Animal studies of both measured BDNF in the rat hippocampus after intranasal dosing.

None of these studies was run outside Russia, and none establishes a use in the US. They are not a basis for choosing one over the other.

What is the difference between Semax and Selank?

Both are synthetic seven-amino-acid peptides developed in Russia and ending in the same Pro-Gly-Pro sequence. Semax is built on a fragment of ACTH and was studied for stroke; Selank is built on tuftsin and was studied for anxiety. Semax is on HHS’s 2026 compounding list; Selank is not. Semax and Selank are not FDA-approved.

Can Semax and Selank be taken together?

There are no published human studies of the two used together. HHS’s policy requires one active ingredient per compounded product, so a combined product is outside it, and Selank is not listed at all. Whether to use either peptide is a decision for a licensed provider who knows your history and your other medicines.

Sources

  1. Deigin et al., Pharmaceutics 2022 — Development of peptide biopharmaceuticals in Russia (read November 2, 2026)
  2. Ashmarin et al., Zh Vyssh Nerv Deiat Im I P Pavlova 1997 — A nootropic adrenocorticotropin analog 4-10, Semax (15 years of experience in its design and study) (read November 2, 2026)
  3. Gusev et al., Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 2018 — The efficacy of semax in the treatment of patients at different stages of ischemic stroke (read November 2, 2026)
  4. Serdiuk et al., Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 2007 — Chronic partial denervation and quality of life in patients with motor neuron disease treated with semax (read November 2, 2026)
  5. Polunin et al., Vestn Oftalmol 2000 — Evaluation of therapeutic effect of new Russian drug semax in optic nerve disease (read November 2, 2026)
  6. Zozulia et al., Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 2008 — Efficacy and possible mechanisms of action of a new peptide anxiolytic selank in generalized anxiety disorder and neurasthenia (read November 2, 2026)
  7. Medvedev et al., Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 2014 — A comparison of the anxiolytic effect and tolerability of selank and phenazepam in anxiety disorders (read November 2, 2026)
  8. Inozemtseva et al., Dokl Biol Sci 2008 — Intranasal administration of the peptide Selank regulates BDNF expression in the rat hippocampus in vivo (read November 2, 2026)
  9. Kolomin et al., Zh Vyssh Nerv Deiat Im I P Pavlova 2013 — Transcriptome alteration in hippocampus under the treatment of tuftsin analog Selank (read November 2, 2026)
  10. Dolotov et al., Brain Res 2006 — Semax, an analog of ACTH(4-10) with cognitive effects, regulates BDNF and trkB expression in the rat hippocampus (read November 2, 2026)
  11. Rite Aid — Selank: status and safety (updated September 29, 2026) (read November 2, 2026)
  12. HHS — Enforcement Discretion Policy Regarding 503A Compounding Using Certain Peptide Bulk Drug Substances, 91 FR 68526 (Federal Register, October 30, 2026) (read November 2, 2026)
  13. Foley & Lardner, National Law Review 2026 — Peptides: HHS announces limited enforcement discretion for compounding six peptides (read November 2, 2026)
  14. Nutritional Outlook 2026 — HHS peptide compounding policy: supplement industry implications (read November 2, 2026)

Medically reviewed by Linda West-Conforti, RN · CA RN #389453 ·