Compound comparison
Selank vs Semax
This page sets Selank and Semax side by side using the data recorded on Peptide Science Daily: drug class, mechanism of action, regulatory status by region, the evidence grade assigned here, and the number of clinical trials tracked. It is a neutral, factual comparison and does not rank either compound or recommend one over the other.
Side-by-side comparison
- Class
- SelankSynthetic tuftsin analog (heptapeptide, Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro); anxiolytic/nootropic neuropeptideSemaxSynthetic ACTH(4-10) analog (heptapeptide, Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro); nootropic/neuroprotective neuropeptide
- Mechanism
- SelankSelank is reported to modulate GABAergic and monoaminergic (serotonin/dopamine) neurotransmission, to rapidly elevate hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression, to alter interleukin-6/T-helper cytokine balance, and to inhibit enzymatic degradation of enkephalins.SemaxSemax is reported to rapidly elevate BDNF and its TrkB receptor in the rat hippocampus (Dolotov et al., 2006) and to activate neurotrophin gene transcription, and to modulate dopaminergic/serotonergic systems; it may also interact with melanocortin (MC4/MC5) receptors.
- United States (FDA)
- SelankNot FDA-approved. Selank acetate was removed from the FDA 503A 'Category 2' bulk drug substances list on September 20, 2024 after the nomination was withdrawn; it is not part of the ongoing 2026 FDA compounding review.SemaxNot FDA-approved; unscheduled. Historically placed on the FDA 503A 'Category 2' bulk drug substances list (significant safety concerns) restricting compounding; part of ongoing 2026 FDA compounding review.
- European Union (EMA)
- SelankNo EMA marketing authorisation; not an approved medicine in the EU.SemaxNo EMA marketing authorisation; not an approved medicine in the EU.
- Australia (TGA)
- SelankNot approved by the TGA and not on the ARTG; no registered therapeutic product.SemaxNot approved by the TGA and not on the ARTG; no registered therapeutic product.
- WADA
- SelankNot listed by name; because it lacks approval by major (stringent) regulatory authorities, it is generally treated as captured by the S0 'Non-Approved Substances' category, prohibited at all times. Athletes should treat it as prohibited.SemaxNot listed by name; because it lacks approval by major (stringent) regulatory authorities, it is generally treated as captured by the S0 'Non-Approved Substances' category, prohibited at all times. Athletes should treat it as prohibited.
- Evidence grade
- SelankCSemaxC
- Tracked clinical trials
- Selank2Semax0
- Full profile
- SelankSemax
| Attribute | Selank | Semax |
|---|---|---|
| Class | Synthetic tuftsin analog (heptapeptide, Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro); anxiolytic/nootropic neuropeptide | Synthetic ACTH(4-10) analog (heptapeptide, Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro); nootropic/neuroprotective neuropeptide |
| Mechanism | Selank is reported to modulate GABAergic and monoaminergic (serotonin/dopamine) neurotransmission, to rapidly elevate hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression, to alter interleukin-6/T-helper cytokine balance, and to inhibit enzymatic degradation of enkephalins. | Semax is reported to rapidly elevate BDNF and its TrkB receptor in the rat hippocampus (Dolotov et al., 2006) and to activate neurotrophin gene transcription, and to modulate dopaminergic/serotonergic systems; it may also interact with melanocortin (MC4/MC5) receptors. |
| United States (FDA) | Not FDA-approved. Selank acetate was removed from the FDA 503A 'Category 2' bulk drug substances list on September 20, 2024 after the nomination was withdrawn; it is not part of the ongoing 2026 FDA compounding review. | Not FDA-approved; unscheduled. Historically placed on the FDA 503A 'Category 2' bulk drug substances list (significant safety concerns) restricting compounding; part of ongoing 2026 FDA compounding review. |
| European Union (EMA) | No EMA marketing authorisation; not an approved medicine in the EU. | No EMA marketing authorisation; not an approved medicine in the EU. |
| Australia (TGA) | Not approved by the TGA and not on the ARTG; no registered therapeutic product. | Not approved by the TGA and not on the ARTG; no registered therapeutic product. |
| WADA | Not listed by name; because it lacks approval by major (stringent) regulatory authorities, it is generally treated as captured by the S0 'Non-Approved Substances' category, prohibited at all times. Athletes should treat it as prohibited. | Not listed by name; because it lacks approval by major (stringent) regulatory authorities, it is generally treated as captured by the S0 'Non-Approved Substances' category, prohibited at all times. Athletes should treat it as prohibited. |
| Evidence grade | C | C |
| Tracked clinical trials | 2 | 0 |
| Full profile | Selank profile | Semax profile |
Common questions
- What is the difference between Selank and Semax?
- Selank is classified as: Synthetic tuftsin analog (heptapeptide, Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro); anxiolytic/nootropic neuropeptide. Semax is classified as: Synthetic ACTH(4-10) analog (heptapeptide, Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro); nootropic/neuroprotective neuropeptide. Selank is investigational and is not an approved medicine. Semax is investigational and is not an approved medicine.
- Is Selank or Semax approved?
- Selank is investigational and is not an approved medicine. Semax is investigational and is not an approved medicine. Regulatory status by region is set out in the table above.
- How much clinical trial evidence is tracked for Selank and Semax?
- Peptide Science Daily tracks 2 registered clinical trials for Selank (evidence grade C) and 0 for Semax (evidence grade C).