Cerebrolysin
Cerebrolysin (porcine brain peptide preparation)
Porcine-derived neurotrophic peptide preparation manufactured by Ever Pharma (Austria). NOT a defined single-sequence drug: composition is approximately 85% free amino acids and 15% short biologically active peptides (1-10 kDa) extracted from purified pig brain tissue. Religious / pork-allergy disclosure required before use. Approved in 50+ countries (Russia, China, Eastern Europe, parts of LATAM and Asia) for acute ischemic stroke, vascular and Alzheimer-type dementia, and traumatic brain injury. NOT FDA-approved. US biohackers obtain it via personal-use prescription import (90-day supply max under FDA personal-use policy).
At a glance
- Routes
- IM · IV
- Vial sizes
- 1 mg · 2 mg · 5 mg · 10 mg · 20 mg · 30 mg
- Evidence base
- 3 studies 2 human · 1 review
Mechanism
Mimics endogenous neurotrophic factors. The peptide fraction has reported BDNF-, GDNF-, NGF-, and CNTF-like activity, driving neuronal survival, synaptic plasticity, hippocampal neurogenesis, and reduction of glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity. Animal models also show reduced amyloid burden and tau hyperphosphorylation. Acute ischemic stroke RCT (n=1070, 30 mL/day x 10 days): primary endpoint not significantly different overall; numerical benefit in severe-stroke subgroup. Updated Cochrane meta-analysis concludes cerebrolysin likely provides no benefit for all-cause death in acute stroke, with potential for increased serious adverse events. Combination with donepezil outperformed donepezil monotherapy on ADAS-cog and CIBIC+ over 28 weeks in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's. Mechanism is broad and poorly characterized at the molecular level. This is a tissue extract, not a single-target drug.
Dosing
Any amounts shown here are reported from published studies only. 2 of 3 catalogued studies involved human subjects. COMPOUND does not publish its own dosing guidance.
Published evidence
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Meta-analysis 2023
Cerebrolysin for acute ischaemic stroke (Cochrane review)
Updated meta-analysis: cerebrolysin likely provides no benefit for preventing all-cause death in acute ischemic stroke, with potential for increased serious adverse events. The most pessimistic high-quality assessment in the literature.
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Human RCT 2018
Cerebrolysin and donepezil combination therapy in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease
Combination outperformed donepezil monotherapy on ADAS-cog and CIBIC+ over 28 weeks.
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Human RCT 2012
Cerebrolysin in patients with acute ischemic stroke in Asia (CASTA): a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial
30 mL/day IV x 10 days started <72h post-stroke in 1070 acute ischemic stroke patients. Primary mRS endpoint not significantly different vs placebo overall; pre-specified severe-stroke subgroup (NIHSS >12) showed numerical benefit. Generally safe.
Reported side effects
- Injection site reaction (IM)
- Common Mild · Burning / soreness at deltoid or glute injection site, lasts 1-24 h. Slow injection helps.
- Headache
- Occasional Mild · Mild, dose-related, typically within 1-2 h post-dose. Resolves with continued use.
- Dizziness / vertigo
- Occasional Mild
- Flushing / sweating
- Occasional Mild · Often related to too-fast IV push. Slow infusion eliminates.
- Seizure (in epileptics)
- Rare Serious · Contraindicated in epilepsy / status epilepticus history. Lowers seizure threshold.
- Hypersensitivity reaction
- Rare Serious · PORCINE-DERIVED: risk in pork-allergy or kosher / halal-observant users.
Reconstitution and storage
No reconstitution. Cerebrolysin ships as a sterile liquid in glass ampules (1, 2, 5, 10, 20, or 30 mL) at 215.2 mg/mL. Snap ampule, draw with filter needle, switch to injection needle. The product information states cerebrolysin is incompatible in the same syringe with amino-acid solutions, vitamin solutions, and balanced electrolytes.
Store ampules at 2-25 °C (room temp acceptable). Protect from light. Do not freeze. Use within product expiry (typically 4 years from manufacture). Once ampule is opened, use immediately.