Selank
Also known as Tuftsin analog, TP-7
Last reviewed · Awaiting clinical review
Main safety concerns
Used in Russia for anxiety but barely studied in Western trials. Sold there as nose drops. Trials report few side effects, but they were small.
- SeriousAvoid if: Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- WarningAllergic reaction
Educational information, not medical advice. If you have symptoms that worry you, contact a clinician or emergency services.
What is known
A Russian anxiolytic nootropic peptide, used intranasally to ease anxiety without heavy sedation.
On this page
What it is and how it works
Selank is a synthetic version of tuftsin, a small immune peptide, with three extra amino acids added. In lab and animal studies it acts on GABA signaling and raises BDNF. How it works in people is not well understood. In Russian trials it eased anxiety about as well as a benzodiazepine, and no withdrawal was reported after stopping. In Russia it is sold as nose drops for anxiety.[4] [5] [6] [7] [1]
Evidence by claim
Each claim is graded on its own. Tap a grade to see what it does and does not mean.
Eased anxiety in small Russian trials, often within the first few days.
Source type: Randomized trial, Other
Two small Russian studies compared it with benzodiazepines, with no placebo group. There is little Western replication.
Changed BDNF levels and improved memory in rats.
Source type: Animal study
Gave a mild boost to focus in anxious patients.
Source type: Other
From one small Russian comparison study.
Reported side effects
Interactions and combination risks
- CautionSerotonergic medicines such as SSRIs
Effects on serotonin have been seen in rats only, and combinations have not been studied. Use care alongside serotonergic drugs.
- CautionSedatives or alcohol
Could add to any calming or drowsy effect.
Who should avoid it
- SeriousPregnancy or breastfeeding
No safety data in pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Dosing
Placed after the evidence and risks on purpose. Nothing here is a recommendation for you.
| Route(s) | intranasal (most common), subcutaneous |
|---|---|
| Typical range | The Russian label dose is 2 drops of the 0.15 percent solution in each nostril, 3 times a day. That is roughly 900 mcg a day. One trial used 2.7 mg a day. |
| Frequency | 3 times a day on the Russian label |
| Cycle guidance | The Russian label uses a 14 day course, which can be repeated after 1 to 3 weeks. |
| Notes | Sold as nose drops in Russia. For nasal use, what matters is the concentration and the amount per drop, not syringe units. |
For the equipment itself, see syringes, needles, and the rest of the kit.
Reconstitution
| Vial sizes | 5 mg, 10 mg |
|---|---|
| Diluent | Bacteriostatic or sterile water. Often mixed for nasal use rather than injection. |
| Concentration | Example: a 5 mg vial plus 5 mL of water gives 1 mg/mL. For nasal use, work out mcg per drop. For subcutaneous use, a 300 mcg dose is 0.3 mL, which is 30 units on a U-100 syringe. |
| Notes | Sold as a lyophilized powder or as a ready made nasal spray. |
General reconstitution technique
Units and volume arithmetic
Converts between an amount and syringe units for the vial and diluent you enter. It starts empty and does not suggest an amount. Open the full calculator
Result
Fill in steps 1 to 3 to see the arithmetic. Nothing here is a suggested amount.
Settings live in the address bar, so a pasted link reopens this calculator as you left it.
Educational arithmetic only. It does not choose an amount for you and is not medical or dosing advice. Verify every calculation independently.
Storage and stability
Dry powder (lyophilized)
| Temperature | Freeze for long term storage, or 2 to 8 short term |
|---|---|
| Shelf life | Many months when frozen |
| Notes | Keep dry and out of light until you mix it. |
After mixing
| Temperature | 2 to 8 (refrigerated) |
|---|---|
| Shelf life | About 2 to 4 weeks |
| Notes | Do not freeze after mixing. Discard if cloudy or discolored. |
COA and purity notes
| Common adulterants | nasal sprays that vary in concentration, underdosed or mislabeled vials |
|---|---|
| Mislabeling | Nasal products vary in strength, so check the concentration. A recent third party COA helps. |
| Notes | Registered as a medicine in Russia, but not approved in the US. Gray market material is unregulated. |
Sources
[1]Efficacy and possible mechanisms of action of a new peptide anxiolytic selank in the therapy of generalized anxiety disorders and neurasthenia (in Russian)
Zozulia AA et al. (Zhurnal Nevrologii i Psikhiatrii) 2008 (opens source in a new tab)· Randomized trial[2]Therapeutic Peptides in Aesthetic, Metabolic and Endocrine Conditions: Effects, Safety, Clinical Applications, and Future Perspectives
Renke G, Chinellato L (International Journal of Molecular Sciences) 2026 (opens source in a new tab)· Review[3]Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding that May Present Significant Safety Risks
U.S. Food & Drug Administration 2026 (opens source in a new tab)· Regulatory record[4]Selank nasal drops 0.15%: instructions for medical use, registration no. LRS-003338/09 (in Russian)
Peptogen (manufacturer) 2017 (opens source in a new tab)· Manufacturer statement[5]Peptide-based anxiolytics: the molecular aspects of heptapeptide Selank biological activity
Vyunova TV et al. (Protein and Peptide Letters) 2018 (opens source in a new tab)· Animal study[6]Selank administration affects the expression of some genes involved in GABAergic neurotransmission
Volkova A et al. (Frontiers in Pharmacology) 2016 (opens source in a new tab)· Animal study[7]Intranasal administration of the peptide Selank regulates BDNF expression in the rat hippocampus in vivo
Inozemtseva LS et al. (Doklady Biological Sciences) 2008 (opens source in a new tab)· Animal study[8]Selank, peptide analogue of tuftsin, protects against ethanol-induced memory impairment by regulating of BDNF content in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex in rats
Kolik LG et al. (Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine) 2019 (opens source in a new tab)· Animal study[9]A comparison of the anxiolytic effect and tolerability of selank and phenazepam in the treatment of anxiety disorders (in Russian)
Medvedev VE et al. (Zhurnal Nevrologii i Psikhiatrii) 2014 (opens source in a new tab)· Other[10]Sedative-hypnotic agents that impact gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors: focus on flunitrazepam, gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, phenibut, and selank
Doyno CR, White CM (Journal of Clinical Pharmacology) 2021 (opens source in a new tab)· Review
Last reviewed 8 July 2026 · editorial status: reviewed