Russian peptide in nasal drops, derived from tuftsin, registered in Russia as an anxiolytic. Outside Russia it is not approved and the evidence comes almost entirely from small Russian studies.
Regulatory status
Not approved
Family
Synthetic tuftsin analog (heptapeptide)
Scientific evidence
Low
Number of findings
2
Where it acts
Brain and sleep
Also known as
Селанк, TP-7, Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro
Regulatory status
FDA (US): Not approved
EMA (EU): Not approved (registered only in Russia as 0.15% nasal drops, since 2009)
Dose
There is no established dose in humans.
Safety
The Russian prescribing information describes allergic reactions and a bad taste from drip into the throat. It is contraindicated in pregnancy, breastfeeding, and under 18 years of age. Not approved in Europe: buying it is not recommended.
Interactions
In a Russian study it was used together with phenazepam (a benzodiazepine) and reduced some of its side effects.
Differences between women and men
The Russian prescribing information contraindicates it in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Effect by goal · level of evidence
Generalized anxiety and neurasthenia
improvesLowRCT (AA)in people
Similar to medazepam
Russian study with 62 patients: anxiolytic effect similar to that of the benzodiazepine medazepam, with an additional effect against fatigue.
It is believed to modulate the GABA system (the same one targeted by benzodiazepines) and the expression of related genes, in addition to influencing enkephalins and the immune response. Its mechanisms are not well established in humans.
What the evidence says
In people
Generalized anxiety and neurasthenia. Russian study with 62 patients: anxiolytic effect similar to that of the benzodiazepine medazepam, with an additional effect against fatigue. PubMed 18454096
Added to phenazepam in anxiety disorders. 70 patients: with selank the anxiolytic effect appeared sooner and there was less sedation, memory impairment, and asthenia than with phenazepam alone. PubMed 26356395