Selank

TP-7

Snapshot

Indications	Contraindications
Generalized anxiety disorder^{1, 2} Neurasthenia¹ Asthenia¹ Phobic-anxiety disorders² Somatoform disorders² Benzodiazepine adverse effects³	Pregnancy or breast-feeding⁴ Age under 18 years⁴ Individual intolerance⁴

Selank (TP-7) is a synthetic peptide with gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-related activity⁵. The United States (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) previously placed selank acetate in a compounding category for significant safety risks, and the nominators withdrew those nominations⁶. It is used for anxiety, with antiasthenic effects in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and neurasthenia and mild nootropic effects in phobic-anxiety and somatoform disorders.

Human research is limited to about four small trials, mostly in anxiety disorders and neurasthenia. The anxiolytic effect was similar to medazepam in GAD and neurasthenia and lasted a week after the last dose in a comparison with phenazepam. As an add-on to phenazepam, it brought earlier response and fewer benzodiazepine side effects³. A 2026 review noted selank among neuroactive peptides enhancing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in preclinical studies, with no clinical trials⁷. Selank is registered in Russia as an intranasal preparation⁴, and a 2021 review noted its sale to US consumers as a dietary supplement.

The Russian label's contraindications in pregnancy, lactation, and under age 18 reflect absent efficacy and safety studies, not observed harm⁴. Per the Russian label, patients taking other medications are directed to consult a doctor before use⁴.

Last updated October 17, 2026. Read how we make monographs.

In the full monograph

34 sources, 19 studies

When to useThe situations practitioners use it for, each with the reason and the study behind it.
SafetyWho should avoid it, who needs extra care, and the side effects reported in studies.
InteractionsThe medicines and supplements it interacts with, the effect of each, and what labeling says to watch.
Protocol notesThe doses used in studies, how and when they were taken, and how the forms on the market compare.
How it worksWhat it is and how it works in the body, in plain terms.
Published studiesThe studies behind each use, popular claims checked against them, and trials still under way.
Word of mouthWhat patients and practitioners report online, kept separate from the clinical evidence.
Clinical perspectiveA closing read of where the evidence is solid, where it is thin, and what has not been studied.

Snapshot

In the full monograph

Sources