Selank Side Effects: Russian Anxiolytic Peptide, Not Approved Elsewhere
Selank is a heptapeptide analogue of tuftsin developed in Russia and approved in the Russian Federation for generalised anxiety disorder. It is not approved by the FDA, EMA, or TGA. International peer-reviewed data are limited.
Selank is approved in some jurisdictions but not in others. Approved in Russia for generalised anxiety disorder. Not FDA-, EMA-, or TGA-approved. Limited international peer-reviewed evidence. This page summarises the published literature and regulator positions. It is not medical advice.
Key Takeaways
- Selank is a Russian anxiolytic peptide derived from tuftsin.
- Approved in the Russian Federation for generalised anxiety disorder. Not FDA-, EMA-, or TGA-approved.
- Russian-language literature reports mild tolerability without benzodiazepine-style sedation; international Western data are limited.
- Drug interactions with anxiolytics, antidepressants, and other CNS-active medicines are not characterised.
- Compounded or online Selank is not pharmaceutical-grade.
What is Selank, and what is it marketed for?
Selank (TP-7). Selank is a synthetic analogue of the immunomodulatory peptide tuftsin. Russian-language and translated literature describe effects on GABAergic and serotonergic signalling, BDNF, and immune mediators, without producing the sedation typical of benzodiazepines.
What side effects and safety concerns have been reported?
The summary below draws from the published literature and regulator statements. Severity classification follows the source documents.
| Concern | What has been reported | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Limited Western evaluation | Not reviewed by FDA, EMA, or TGA | Approval limited to the Russian Federation |
| Drug interactions | Interactions with anxiolytics, antidepressants, and other CNS-active medicines are not characterised in regulator datasets | No Western interaction labelling |
| Long-term safety | Long-term Western safety data are absent | Russian post-marketing experience exists but is not subject to Western review standards |
| Compounded product quality | Purity and potency in non-Russian product are not guaranteed | No pharmaceutical-grade product outside the Russian market |
Taking Selank alongside prescription medicines?
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Common Questions About Selank
No. Selank is approved in the Russian Federation for generalised anxiety disorder. It is not FDA-, EMA-, or TGA-approved.
Russian-language literature reports an anxiolytic effect without the sedation typically associated with benzodiazepines. This is a published claim; it has not been confirmed by Western regulator review.
Long-term Western safety data are absent. Russian post-marketing experience exists but is not subject to Western review standards.
Interactions with antidepressants, anxiolytics, or other CNS-active medicines have not been characterised in regulator-reviewed datasets. Discuss any planned combination with your prescriber.
References
- Medvedev VE et al. Optimization of therapy of patients with anxiety disorders using Selank. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2014. Source.
- Inozemtsev AN et al. Behavioral effects of Selank. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2008;145(1):42-46. Source.
- U.S. Food & Drug Administration. FDA position on bulk drug substances for compounding. Source.