Cerebrolysin
Also called Porcine brain peptide preparation
An injectable mixture of peptides and amino acids derived from pig brain, studied in stroke, dementia and brain injury with mixed results. It has not been shown to improve memory in healthy people.
Overview
What it is
A pharmaceutical peptide fraction from porcine brain protein, licensed in some countries. It is a mixture, not a single defined peptide.
How it works
It is thought to protect injured nerve cells and support new connections (neuroplasticity). Much of this mechanism work comes from animal models.
What the research shows
A 2023 Cochrane review of 1,773 stroke patients found no survival benefit and a probable increase in non-fatal serious adverse events. The CARS trial found better arm function at 90 days when added to rehabilitation. A Cochrane vascular-dementia review found possible benefit with low confidence. A combined analysis of 185 patients with moderate-to-severe brain injury favored Cerebrolysin at 30 and 90 days.
Studied for
- Stroke survivalno benefit
- Stroke rehabilitationpositive exploratory trial
- Vascular dementia and Alzheimer'suncertain
- Traumatic brain injurypositive analysis
Safety and regulatory status
Safety and side effects
Austrian labeling lists allergy, status epilepticus and severe kidney impairment as reasons not to use it, and warns about seizure disorders and interactions with antidepressants and MAO inhibitors. Reported side effects include agitation, insomnia, dizziness, digestive symptoms and allergic reactions.
Regulatory status
Not FDA approved. It has FDA orphan designation for frontotemporal dementia, which is not approval. Licensed in some other countries.
Mixing and dosing reference
Reference information only. Read before using this section.
Cerebrolysin (60 mg Vial) Dosage Protocol
- Vial
- 60 mg Cerebrolysin
- Add diluent
- 3 mL
- Concentration
- 20 mg/mL
- 1 unit (U-100)
- 200 mcg in 0.01 mL
- Route
- Subcutaneous
- How often
- Once or twice per day (subcutaneous); split doses >20 mg into AM/PM.
- Typical range
- 20–32 mg once daily (gradual titration); split doses for >20 mg.
- Cycle length
- 8–12 weeks; optional extension to 16 weeks.
Standard / Gradual Approach
| Week | Daily Dose (mg) | Units (per injection) (mL) |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 20 mg (20,000 mcg) | 100 units (1.0 mL) × 1 |
| Week 2 | 24 mg (24,000 mcg) | 60 units (0.6 mL) AM + 60 units (0.6 mL) PM |
| Week 3 | 28 mg (28,000 mcg) | 70 units (0.7 mL) AM + 70 units (0.7 mL) PM |
| Week 4+ | 32 mg (32,000 mcg) | 80 units (0.8 mL) AM + 80 units (0.8 mL) PM |
How to mix
- Draw 3.0 mL bacteriostatic water with a sterile syringe.
- Inject slowly down the vial wall; avoid foaming.
- Gently swirl/roll until dissolved (do not shake).
- Label and refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F), protected from light; follow the exact formulation’s validated use-by instructions.
Dosing details
- Start: 20 mg daily (100 units); increase by ~4 mg (20 units) per week as tolerated.
- Target: 28–32 mg daily by Weeks 3–4.
- Frequency: Once or twice per day (subcutaneous); split doses >20 mg into AM/PM.
- Cycle Length: 8–12 weeks; optional extension to 16 weeks.
- Timing: Any consistent time(s); rotate injection sites.
Storage
- Lyophilized: Store at controlled room temperature ≤25 °C (≤77 °F) in dry, dark conditions; do not freeze.
- Reconstituted: Refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F); follow the exact formulation’s validated use-by instructions; protect from light.
- Allow vials to reach room temperature before opening to reduce condensation uptake.
Administration technique
- Clean the vial stopper and skin with alcohol; allow to dry.
- Pinch a 2–4 cm skinfold; insert the needle at 45–90° into subcutaneous tissue.
- Do not aspirate for subcutaneous injections; inject slowly and steadily.
- Rotate sites systematically (abdomen, thighs, upper arms) to avoid lipohypertrophy.
- For split‑dose protocols (AM/PM), use different injection sites for each administration.
Important notes
- Use new sterile insulin syringes; dispose in a sharps container.
- Rotate injection sites (abdomen, thighs, upper arms) to reduce local irritation.
- Inject slowly; wait a few seconds before withdrawing the needle.
- Document daily dose, timing (AM/PM), and site rotation to maintain consistency.
- For doses exceeding 100 units (1.0 mL), split into two separate injections at different sites.
Protocol source: PeptideDosages.com
Common questions
Will it improve my memory?
The studies were in stroke, dementia and brain injury, not healthy people.
How was it given in studies?
As a supervised injection, often IV. Trial regimens are not home protocols.
What if I notice stroke symptoms?
Face drooping, arm weakness or speech difficulty: call emergency services immediately.
Related in Brain and Cognitive Health
Sources and further reading (6)
- Ziganshina LE, et al. Cerebrolysin for acute ischaemic stroke. Cochrane, 2023.
- Muresanu DF, et al. Cerebrolysin and Recovery After Stroke (CARS). Stroke, 2016.
- Cui S, et al. Cerebrolysin for vascular dementia. Cochrane, 2019.
- Vester JC, et al. Cerebrolysin after traumatic brain injury: CAPTAIN meta-analysis. Neurol Sci, 2021.
- CDC. Signs and symptoms of stroke.
- Source summary: PeptideDosages.com research overview (rewritten for NVO).