Cerebrolysin

From Retapedia, the free peptide encyclopedia
Medical disclaimer. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified clinician before considering any compound discussed below. See Retapedia : Medical disclaimer.

Summary

What it does
Cerebrolysin is used to help the brain recover after stroke and traumatic brain injury, and in dementia. It is given as a therapy in dozens of countries in Eurasia, but it is not an approved drug in the United States.
How it works
It is a mixture of small protein pieces (peptides) made from pig brain and broken down by enzymes. The mixture can include neurotrophic factors, natural proteins that help nerve cells grow and survive. It is given by injection into a muscle or by slow drip into a vein.
WADA status
Prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Drug-tested athletes cannot use it.

Cerebrolysin (also known as FPF-1070) is a peptide studied for its effects on cognition and neuroprotection. Cerebrolysin is a pig brain-derived peptide mixture used in Eurasia after stroke, brain injury, and in dementia; it is not approved in the United States.

Cerebrolysin is an experimental mixture of enzymatically-treated peptides derived from pig brain whose constituents can include brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF). Although it is under preliminary study for its potential to treat various brain diseases, it is used as a therapy in dozens of countries in Eurasia, given by intramuscular injection or intravenous infusion after stroke, traumatic brain injury, and in dementia, but it is not an approved drug in the United States. Cerebrolysin is not approved by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and is treated as prohibited by WADA.

Natty status
Cerebrolysin is classified as not natty. It is prohibited by WADA and most natural bodybuilding federations. Use places the athlete in the enhanced category. See § Natty status.
Contents [hide]
  1. 1 Mechanism of action
  2. 2 Reported effects
  3. 3 Dosage and administration
  4. 4 Natty status
  5. 5 Research
  6. 6 Related compounds
  7. 7 Frequently asked questions
  8. 8 References
  9. 9 External links

Mechanism of action

Used as a therapy after stroke, traumatic brain injury, and in dementia. Pig brain-derived peptide mixture that can include neurotrophic factors. Given by intramuscular injection or intravenous infusion.

Reported effects

Effects reported in the literature and from preclinical models include:

  • Adding Cerebrolysin to speech therapy sped recovery of speech function in patients with aphasia after acute ischemic stroke. [1] Anecdotal
  • A review reported that Cerebrolysin improved outcomes after ischemic stroke while keeping a promising safety profile. [2] Anecdotal
  • A meta-analysis of ten clinical studies in traumatic brain injury linked Cerebrolysin treatment to better Glasgow Coma Scale and Glasgow Outcome Scale scores, though mortality and length of stay were unchanged. [4] Anecdotal
  • A meta-analysis of clinical trials in subarachnoid hemorrhage suggested that Cerebrolysin lowered mortality. [5] Anecdotal
  • A review of treatment in infants with neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy reported gross motor and speech deficit improvement with Cerebrolysin injections of 0.1 ml/kg twice per week. [3] Anecdotal

Evidence grades: FDA approvedApproved (non-US)Phase IIIPhase IIPhase IPreclinicalAnecdotal

Dosage and administration

⚠
Dosage information is included for encyclopedic purposes only. Retapedia does not provide medical advice. See Retapedia : Medical disclaimer.

No FDA

  • approved dose; the manufacturer's labeling in countries where it is registered is the only formal dosing reference

General

  • Labeled range is 10-50 mL per day of the 215.2 mg/mL solution, given as a course of daily treatments
  • The CARS stroke trial used 30 mL once daily by intravenous infusion for 21 days, starting 24-72 hours after stroke
  • Intramuscular injection is limited to 5 mL per dose; larger doses are diluted and given by intravenous infusion over 15-60 minutes

Doses outside the labeled indications are self

  • reported and not established by controlled trials

Natty status

See also: Peptide § Natty status

Cerebrolysin is classified as not natty. It appears on the WADA prohibited list and is banned by major natural bodybuilding federations.[6] Use of this compound places the athlete in the enhanced category rather than the natural category in competitive contexts.

Research

5 active clinical trials on record — highest phase: Phase 4. 43 registered in total , of which 19 completed
View on ClinicalTrials.gov · fetched Oct 24, 2026

The peptide has been the subject of 7 studies and reference works collected on this site. Additional bibliography is in § External links below.

Other peptides in this catalogue with overlapping mechanisms or status:

Semax Not natty
Synthetic ACTH(4-10) analogue used in Russia as a nootropic and neuroprotectant. Reported to raise BDNF without corticosteroid effects. Evidence is mostly preclinical; no FDA or EMA approval.
IGF-1 LR3 Not natty
Long-acting IGF-1 analog studied preclinically for muscle growth and tissue repair. No peer-reviewed human evidence of benefit. Risks include hypoglycemia, joint pain, unproven cancer concerns.
HCG Not natty
Mimics luteinizing hormone to make the testes produce testosterone and to trigger final egg maturation and ovulation. FDA-approved for fertility and hypogonadism. Not effective for weight loss.
Selank Not natty
Synthetic tuftsin analogue used as an anxiolytic nootropic. Reported to act on GABA and monoamine signalling without sedation or dependence. Registered as a medicine in Russia only.

Frequently asked questions

What is Cerebrolysin?

Cerebrolysin is a pig brain-derived peptide mixture used in Eurasia after stroke, brain injury, and in dementia; it is not approved in the United States.

What is Cerebrolysin used for?

Cerebrolysin is used to help the brain recover after stroke and traumatic brain injury, and in dementia. It is given as a therapy in dozens of countries in Eurasia, but it is not an approved drug in the United States.

How does Cerebrolysin work?

It is a mixture of small protein pieces (peptides) made from pig brain and broken down by enzymes. The mixture can include neurotrophic factors, natural proteins that help nerve cells grow and survive. It is given by injection into a muscle or by slow drip into a vein.

Is Cerebrolysin natty?

No. Cerebrolysin is classified as not natty. It is prohibited by WADA and banned by most natural bodybuilding federations. Use places an athlete in the enhanced category.

Is Cerebrolysin banned by WADA?

Yes. Cerebrolysin is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), so drug-tested athletes cannot use it. Check the current WADA Prohibited List before competing.

How is Cerebrolysin administered?

Cerebrolysin is typically administered via: intravenous infusion, intramuscular injection. Dosage and administration protocols vary; see the Dosage section for details.

References

  1. ^ [Therapy prospects for post-stroke aphasia]. Recent review
  2. ^ Role and Impact of Cerebrolysin for Ischemic Stroke Care. Recent review
  3. ^ Neuroprotective strategies of cerebrolysin for the treatment of infants with neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Recent review
  4. ^ Cerebrolysin in Patients with TBI: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Recent review
  5. ^ Cerebrolysin in Patients with Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Recent review
  6. a b World Anti-Doping Agency. (2026). Prohibited List 2026.

External links

Categories: Peptides | Performance-enhancing substances | Cognition | Neuroprotection | Injectable | Intramuscular

This page was last updated on October 24, 2026, at 02:52 (UTC).

Research last reviewed on October 24, 2026.

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