Cerebrolysin calculator
A mixture of peptides derived from pig brain, used in some countries for stroke and dementia. Not approved in the US; evidence is contested.
Also known as: Cerebrolysin hydrolysate, Porcine brain-derived peptide
FDA status — not an approved drug Not FDA-approved in the United States. Cerebrolysin is used in some other countries for stroke and dementia, but its evidence base is contested and it is not FDA-approved.
This draw does not fit the selected syringe.500 units exceeds the 100-unit barrel. Choose a larger syringe, use less bacteriostatic water, or split the dose.
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What Cerebrolysin is
Cerebrolysin is a mixture of small peptides derived from pig brain, administered by injection or IV. It is used in numerous countries for stroke recovery, dementia, and traumatic brain injury, but it is not FDA-approved in the United States, and independent evidence reviews have found its support weak and contested.
Research depth: 2/5 Used in multiple countries with many trials, but independent reviews find the evidence weak and contested. Human trials: Contested trial record. This measures how much has been studied — counting animal and laboratory work — not whether it works for you.
How Cerebrolysin works
It is proposed to contain neurotrophic-like peptides that support neuronal survival and plasticity, mimicking some effects of natural growth factors. Because it is a complex, variable mixture rather than a single defined molecule, its exact pharmacology is difficult to characterize, which is a core criticism of the product.
Cerebrolysin side effects
Commonly reported
- Injection-site or infusion reactions
- Headache and dizziness
- Nausea
- Agitation reported
Serious — seek medical care
- Evidence base is contested — independent reviews find weak support
- A complex biological mixture with batch variability
- Not FDA-approved; products in the US are unregulated
This list is not exhaustive. Report anything unexpected to the clinician who prescribed it. If you have severe abdominal pain, trouble breathing, or signs of an allergic reaction, seek care the same day. See also our guide to peptide side effects by class.
A worked example
A 30 mg vial reconstituted with 5 mL of bacteriostatic water gives 6 mg/mL. A 30000 mcg dose is then 5 mL — about 500 units on a 100-unit insulin syringe, giving roughly 1 doses per vial before accounting for residual volume left in the vial and syringe.
Prefer paper? Download the printable Cerebrolysin dosing chart (PDF) — every vial size and water volume in syringe units, with the same review byline as this page. All charts →
Commonly cited dose range
Figures circulating for Cerebrolysin run from 10000 mcg to 60000 mcg. Dosing in countries where it is used is by milliliters of the preparation, given by injection or IV over courses. Figures shown are total milligrams in micrograms. It is administered clinically, not as a home reconstitution.
Read this as reference information, not instruction. These numbers describe what is commonly discussed, not what is right for any individual. Dose, frequency, and whether to use Cerebrolysin at all are decisions for a licensed clinician who knows your history.
Common questions
Is Cerebrolysin approved in the US?
No. It is used in a number of other countries for stroke, dementia, and traumatic brain injury, but the FDA has not approved it, and independent reviews have found its evidence base weak and contested.
What is Cerebrolysin made from?
It is a hydrolysate — a mixture of small peptides and amino acids — derived from purified pig brain. It is thought to contain neurotrophic-like activity.