Cerebrolysin
Also known as: Cerebrolysin®
Neuropeptide Preparation | Neurological Recovery
Overview
Standardized neuropeptide preparation containing bioactive peptides and amino acids exhibiting neurotrophic and neuroprotective properties for stroke recovery, traumatic brain injury, and cognitive enhancement. Used clinically in 50+ countries.
Key benefits
- Direct brain delivery
- Standardized dosing
- Extensive clinical evidence
- Ready-to-use formulation
- Used clinically in 50+ countries
Mechanism of action
IV/IM administration provides optimal bioavailability and brain penetration of neuropeptides and neurotrophic factors.
Molecular data
- Type
- Purified porcine brain proteins
- Half-life
- Minutes (component-dependent; e.g., BDNF ~10 min)
Sequence
Bioactive peptide mixture
Indications
What the research community uses this compound for, with self-reported effectiveness.
Cognitive
Alzheimer's Disease
ModerateMeta-analyses show modest cognitive improvements, though clinical significance remains debated.
Vascular Dementia
EffectiveMultiple RCTs demonstrate significant ADAS-cog and CIBIC+ improvements.
Post-Stroke Cognitive Recovery
ModerateLarge meta-analysis shows significant NIHSS improvements; other studies found no functional benefit.
Neuroprotection
Acute Stroke
ModerateLargest meta-analysis (1,879 patients) shows NIHSS benefits; independent analysis found no mRS improvement.
Traumatic Brain Injury
Most effectiveMultiple trials including CAPTAIN series confirm GCS/GOS improvements.
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
ModeratePilot trial shows promising 6-month outcomes; requires larger confirmatory studies.
Recovery
Motor Function Recovery
ModerateSome studies show enhanced recovery; results vary significantly between trials.
Neurological Function
EffectiveEarly administration within 72 hours shows better outcomes than delayed treatment.
Dosing protocols
Common protocols by delivery method. Adjust the curve below to model accumulation in your own cycle.
Injectable
Primary administration route with well-established protocols for direct brain delivery via IV/IM.
| Protocol | Dose | Frequency | Route / duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Volume IV | Up to 10mL | Once daily | Undiluted IV slow push over 3 minutes |
| Intramuscular | Up to 5mL | Once daily | Undiluted IM injection over 3 minutes |
| Acute Stroke | 20-50mL | Once daily for 10-21 days | IV infusion (diluted to 100mL minimum) |
| Traumatic Brain Injury | 20-50mL | Once daily for 7-30 days | IV infusion (diluted to 100mL minimum) |
| Alzheimer's Disease | 10-30mL | 5 days weekly for 4 weeks | IV injection/infusion (2-4 cycles yearly) |
| Vascular Dementia | 10-30mL | 5 days weekly for 4 weeks | IV injection/infusion (2-4 cycles yearly) |
Preparation
You will need
- Cerebrolysin ampoules (5, 10, or 20 mL)
- Saline, Ringer solution, or 5% glucose (minimum 100 mL for infusion)
- Disposable one-way IV infusion sets and cannulas
- Sterile syringes and alcohol swabs
Steps
- Break ampoule and extract Cerebrolysin immediately before use
- For direct injection: Up to 10 mL IV undiluted (slow 3 minutes) or 5 mL IM
- For infusion: Dilute 10-50 mL to minimum 100 mL with compatible solution
- Start infusion immediately after dilution—infuse within 15 minutes
- Flush IV catheter with sodium chloride before and after administration
- Use disposable one-way infusion sets; discard after use
Work out the water volume and syringe units in the reconstitution calculator →
Interactions
Pairwise interactions with other compounds you might be cycling — the same data behind the cycle builder's safety check.
Amino Acid Solutions
AvoidContraindicated per prescribing information; do not mix in same infusion.
Cardiovascular Medications
AvoidShould not be mixed in same IV infusion per official guidelines.
Vitamin Solutions
AvoidCompatibility issues; do not mix in same IV infusion.
SSRIs
MonitorPotential additive neurotropic effects; monitor for enhanced antidepressant effects.
Tricyclic Antidepressants
MonitorMay have additive neurological effects; requires careful monitoring.
Noopept
MonitorBoth enhance neurotrophic factors; potential additive effects—start with lower doses.
Piracetam
CompatibleSafe combination with no significant interactions; both support cognitive function.
Donepezil
CompatibleNo interactions reported; may have synergistic cognitive effects in Alzheimer's treatment.
Timeline
Typical week-by-week effects reported in clinical and observational data.
- Week 1-2
Initial neuroprotective effects; possible mild side effects (dizziness, agitation)
- Week 2-4
Neurological improvements become apparent; cognitive function may begin to improve
- Week 4-8
Continued recovery; motor function improvements in stroke/TBI patients
- Week 8-12
Sustained benefits; cognitive enhancement plateaus in chronic conditions
Safety
Reported adverse effects, contraindications, and what to monitor on cycle.
Common side effects
- Generally well tolerated
- Possible mild dizziness or agitation in early treatment
Stop signs — stop and seek advice
- Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis, severe rash)
- New onset seizure activity
- Significant cardiovascular events during administration
- Severe renal dysfunction or worsening kidney function
Contraindications
- Epilepsy
- Severe renal insufficiency
- History of severe allergic reactions to porcine products
Monitoring
- Monitor for allergic reactions during first dose
- Renal function in patients with kidney disease
- Seizure activity in at-risk patients
- Cardiovascular status during administration
Quality checks
What a legitimate product looks like, what should give pause, and what should make you stop.
Good signs
- Clear amber solution from reputable source
- Room temperature storage ≤25°C
- Protected from light in original carton
- Authorized EVER Pharma distributor
Warning signs
- Some published studies have been retracted due to research misconduct; rely on independent meta-analyses
Stop signs — don't use
- Frozen product or improper storage—never freeze
- Mixing with incompatible solutions (amino acids, vitamins, cardiovascular medications)
Recent research
Newer papers and trial readouts on file for this compound, with source and date.
2021 · Neurological Sciences
Cerebrolysin After Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: Prospective Meta-Analysis of the CAPTAIN Trial Series
Prospective meta-analysis of 185 patients from CAPTAIN I + II trials confirms safety and efficacy of Cerebrolysin after moderate-severe TBI, with mean admission GCS of 10.3.
2024 · Brain Sciences
Cerebrolysin in Patients Diagnosed with Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Observational Cohort Study
47 SAH patients: Cerebrolysin improved mortality rate in combination with neuromonitoring in severe SAH, though raw GOS and length of stay were not significantly affected.
2025 · Neuroscience
The Possible Role of Cerebrolysin in the Management of Vascular Dementia: Leveraging Concepts
Review of Cerebrolysin's neuroprotective mechanisms in vascular dementia, focusing on neurogenesis, neuroplasticity, and neurotrophicity via blood-brain barrier-crossing peptides.
References
Primary literature and clinical-trial data informing this entry.
Efficacy and Safety of Cerebrolysin in Neurorecovery After Moderate-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: Results from the CAPTAIN II Trial
Muresanu DF, Florian S, et al. · Neurological Sciences · 2020
Phase IIIb/IV RCT: patients with GCS 7-12 received 50 mL Cerebrolysin daily for 10 days + two additional 10 mL cycles; confirmed beneficial effects on overall outcome after moderate-severe TBI.
Safety and Efficacy of Cerebrolysin in Early Post-Stroke Recovery: A Meta-Analysis of Nine Randomized Clinical Trials
Bornstein NM, Guekht A, Vester J, et al. · Neurological Sciences · 2018
Meta-analysis of 1,879 stroke patients showed NIHSS superiority of Cerebrolysin (MW 0.60, P < 0.0001); NNT = 7.7 for clinically relevant early neurological improvement.
Cerebrolysin for Functional Recovery in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Xue LX, Zhang T, Zhao YW, et al. · International Journal of Neuroscience · 2017
Meta-analysis of 1,779 patients found no significant benefit on mRS response (RR 1.33, P=0.28) or Barthel Index; concluded routine use for long-term stroke rehabilitation not supported.
Cerebrolysin in Patients with TBI: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Jarosz K, Kojder K, Andrzejewska A, Solek-Pastuszka J, Jurczak A · Brain Sciences · 2023
10 studies of 8,749 TBI patients; GOS improvement was statistically significant (mean difference 0.422, P = 0.000); mortality and length of stay were not significantly affected.
Cerebrolysin in Mild-to-Moderate Alzheimer's Disease: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials
Gauthier S, Proano JV, Jia J, et al. · Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders · 2015
6 RCTs in mild-to-moderate AD; Cerebrolysin significantly superior to placebo on ADAS-cog at 4 weeks (SMD -0.40, P=0.003) and CIBIC global clinical change at 4 weeks and 6 months.
Last updated . How this page was sourced is described in the methodology.