Cognitive
Cerebrolysin
Cerebrolysin is a porcine brain-derived peptide preparation consisting of low-molecular-weight neuropeptides and free amino acids obtained through standardized enzymatic proteolysis. It exhibits neurotrophic activity similar to endogenous nerve growth factors, supporting neuronal survival, synaptic plasticity, and neurogenesis. It is approved in numerous countries for stroke, traumatic brain injury, and dementia, though not FDA-approved in the United States.
Quick Facts
CategoryCognitive
Half-life1 hour
Routesintravenous, intramuscular
Common vial sizes5mg, 10mg, 20mg
FDA statusNot approved
Storage2-8°C (refrigerated). Reconstituted: 30 days.
Dosing Protocols
| Goal | Dose | Frequency | Route | Cycle | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acute Stroke | 1x/day | intravenous | 2 weeks | 20-50mL once daily IV infusion (100mL minimum dilution). 10-21 day cycle. Volume-based dosing, not mcg. | |
| Traumatic Brain Injury | 1x/day | intravenous | 3 weeks | 20-50mL once daily IV infusion. 7-30 day cycle. Best if given within 72 hours of injury. | |
| Alzheimer's Disease | 5x/week | intravenous | 4 weeks | 10-30mL IV 5 days/week. 4-week cycle, 2-4 cycles per year. Volume-based dosing. | |
| Vascular Dementia | 5x/week | intravenous | 4 weeks | 10-30mL IV 5 days/week. 4-week cycle, 2-4 cycles per year. | |
| Small Volume IV | 1x/day | intravenous | 3 weeks | Up to 10mL IV push (3 min). 7-30 day cycle. | |
| Intramuscular (Lower Doses) | 1x/day | intramuscular | 3 weeks | Up to 5mL IM injection. 7-30 day cycle. |
Protocols shown are for informational purposes only. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any peptide protocol.
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Start Tracking — FreeCommon Questions
How do I reconstitute Cerebrolysin?
Add bacteriostatic water to your Cerebrolysin vial (common sizes: 5mg, 10mg, 20mg). The amount of BAC water depends on your desired concentration. Use our reconstitution calculator for exact measurements.
What is the typical dose of Cerebrolysin?
A common dose for Cerebrolysin is 1x/day via intravenous. 20-50mL once daily IV infusion (100mL minimum dilution). 10-21 day cycle. Volume-based dosing, not mcg.
What is the half-life of Cerebrolysin?
The half-life of Cerebrolysin is approximately 1 hour. This determines how long the peptide remains active in your body and influences dosing frequency.
How should I store Cerebrolysin?
Store Cerebrolysin at 2-8°C (refrigerated). Supplied as a ready-to-use amber solution for intramuscular or intravenous injection. Do not mix with balanced amino acid solutions. Approved pharmaceutical in many countries. Once reconstituted, use within 30 days.
Is Cerebrolysin FDA approved?
Cerebrolysin is not FDA approved and is available for research purposes only. It has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety or efficacy in humans.
References
- Safety and efficacy of Cerebrolysin in early post-stroke recovery: meta-analysis - Bornstein et al. (2018) (article)
- Efficacy and Safety of Cerebrolysin for Acute Ischemic Stroke - Zhang et al. (2017) (pubmed)
- CAPTAIN II Trial on TBI - Muresanu et al. (2020) (article)
- Cerebrolysin in Patients with TBI: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis - Kojder et al. (2023) (pubmed)
- Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Pilot Trial - Woo et al. (2020) (article)
- Alzheimer's Disease Meta-Analysis - Gauthier et al. (2015) (pubmed)
- Cochrane Review on Vascular Dementia - Cui et al. (2019) (pubmed)
- Health Technology Assessment - Li et al. (2024) (pubmed)
- Administration Guidelines - Ever Pharma Official (article)