Cerebrolysin vs Cortexin
Porcine brain-derived neuropeptide preparation containing bioactive peptide fragments of neurotrophic factors, used clinically in over 40 countries for stroke recovery, traumatic brain injury, and cognitive impairment
Bovine cerebral cortex-derived polypeptide preparation with nootropic, neuroprotective, and antioxidant properties used clinically in Russia for cerebrovascular disorders, cognitive impairment, and pediatric neurology
Written by Michael Carroll — Owner, Director of Research · Reviewed by the Peptide Initiative Research Team · Editorial standards
Quick comparison
Dose range
Cerebrolysin
20–30 mL
Cortexin
10–10 mg
Frequency
Cerebrolysin
Once daily
Cortexin
Once daily
Administration
Cerebrolysin
Intravenous (IV) injection or infusion
Cortexin
Intramuscular (IM) injection
Cycle length
Cerebrolysin
8-12 weeks
Cortexin
8-12 weeks
Onset speed
Cerebrolysin
Moderate (1-2 weeks)
Cortexin
Moderate (1-2 weeks)
Evidence level
Cerebrolysin
Moderate human trials (Phase 1-2)
Cortexin
Limited human trials
Benefit ratings
Stroke Recovery
Alzheimer's Support
Brain Injury Healing
Brain Recovery
Cognitive Function
Neuroprotection
Compound specifications
Cerebrolysin
Molecular formula
Complex mixture — no single molecular formula (contains multiple peptide fragments and free amino acids derived from porcine brain proteins)
Molecular weight
Bioactive peptide components are all below 10 kDa (10,000 Da); the preparation contains a spectrum of peptide sizes
Half-life
Approximately 15-30 minutes (IV administration)
Bioavailability
~85-100% (intramuscular injection)
CAS number
Not assigned (biological mixture)
Cortexin
Molecular formula
Complex mixture — no single molecular formula (contains multiple low molecular weight polypeptide fractions, L-amino acids, vitamins, and trace elements)
Molecular weight
Low molecular weight water-soluble polypeptide fractions — specific molecular weight distribution varies as a complex biological mixture
Half-life
Approximately 2-6 hours (varies by route of administration)
Bioavailability
~85-100% (intramuscular injection)
CAS number
Not assigned (biological mixture)
Dosing compared
Cerebrolysin
Intravenous
10 mL
Once daily · 10-20 day course, repeated every 3-6 months
A gentle starting dose given as a slow IV infusion (often diluted in saline). Used in dementia and recovery programs. [6][7]
20-30 mL
Once daily · 10-21 day course, repeated in cycles
The common clinical dose. Trials in vascular dementia used 20 mL daily, and stroke trials used 30 mL daily (diluted to about 100 mL saline) infused over ~30 minutes. [6][7]
30-50 mL
Once daily · 10-21 days for stroke or severe brain injury
The higher end used for acute stroke and severe traumatic brain injury, given as a diluted IV infusion under medical supervision. [7]
Intramuscular
5-10 mL
Once daily · Up to 10-20 days per course
For smaller doses, Cerebrolysin can be given as an intramuscular injection (no more than ~5 mL per injection site). Often used for milder cases or maintenance between IV cycles. [7]
Cortexin
Intramuscular
10 mg
Once daily · 10 days per course; repeat in 3-6 months if needed
The standard adult dose per the manufacturer instructions. The 10 mg vial is dissolved in 1-2 mL of saline, water for injection, or 0.5% procaine and injected into a muscle. Children under 20 kg get 0.5 mg/kg. [6]
Best suited for
Cerebrolysin
Post-stroke neurorecovery and rehabilitation support
Cerebrolysin is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on post-stroke neurorecovery and rehabilitation support. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach [2][13].
Cognitive support in Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia
Cerebrolysin is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on cognitive support in alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach [1][6].
Traumatic brain injury recovery and neuroprotection
Cerebrolysin is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on traumatic brain injury recovery and neuroprotection. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach [14].
Age-related cognitive decline and mild cognitive impairment
Cerebrolysin is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on age-related cognitive decline and mild cognitive impairment. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach [1].
Cortexin
Cognitive support in chronic cerebral ischemia and cerebrovascular disease
Cortexin is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on cognitive support in chronic cerebral ischemia and cerebrovascular disease. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach [5].
Neuroprotection and neurorecovery following stroke or traumatic brain injury
Cortexin is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on neuroprotection and neurorecovery following stroke or traumatic brain injury. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach [7].
Pediatric neurology including cerebral palsy and developmental delays
Cortexin is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on pediatric neurology including cerebral palsy and developmental delays. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach [7][8].
Adjunctive treatment in epilepsy management
Cortexin is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on adjunctive treatment in epilepsy management. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach [7][8].
Side effects
Cerebrolysin
Common
- Injection site reactions
- Headache
- Dizziness and vertigo
- Nausea and gastrointestinal discomfort
- Agitation or restlessness
- Fever
Uncommon
- Allergic reaction
Serious
- Severe hypersensitivity reaction
Cortexin
Common
- Injection site reactions
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Agitation or restlessness
- Transient blood pressure changes
Uncommon
- Allergic reactions
Serious
- Severe allergic reaction / Anaphylaxis
Safety & evidence
Cerebrolysin
Evidence level
Moderate human trials (Phase 1-2)
FDA status
Research compound
Safety overview
Cerebrolysin is an FDA-unregulated neuroprotective agent consisting of porcine brain-derived peptides and amino acids that has been used primarily in Eastern Europe and Asia. [8][12] Safety data is limited to observational clinical use and small open-label trials rather than rigorous randomized controlled trials with formal safety monitoring. As a complex mixture of undefined peptide fragments from animal sources, batch consistency and sterility cannot be guaranteed without pharmaceutical manufacturing standards. Potential allergic reactions to porcine proteins and transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) risks from animal-derived components have not been adequately ruled out.
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to Cerebrolysin or porcine-derived products
- Severe renal impairment or renal failure
- Status epilepticus or uncontrolled epilepsy
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding — insufficient safety data
Cortexin
Evidence level
Limited human trials
FDA status
Research compound
Safety overview
Cortexin is a porcine brain-derived polypeptide preparation used in Russian neurology that is not FDA-approved and has no Western rigorous safety data. As an undefined mixture of peptides and proteins extracted from animal brains, batch standardization and quality control are not guaranteed. Concerns include potential transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE/prion) risk from animal CNS tissue, although documented cases have not been reported. Allergic reactions to porcine proteins are possible. No formal human safety assessments, toxicology studies, or clinical trials by modern regulatory standards have been conducted. Use in Western countries is essentially non-existent due to regulatory limitations on animal-derived neurological products.
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to Cortexin or any component including glycine stabilizer
- Allergy to bovine-derived biological products
- Pregnancy — insufficient safety data for use during pregnancy
- Breastfeeding — insufficient data on excretion into breast milk
Which is right for you?
Choose Cerebrolysin if...
- Post-stroke neurorecovery and rehabilitation support
- Cognitive support in Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia
- Traumatic brain injury recovery and neuroprotection
- Age-related cognitive decline and mild cognitive impairment
Choose Cortexin if...
- Cognitive support in chronic cerebral ischemia and cerebrovascular disease
- Neuroprotection and neurorecovery following stroke or traumatic brain injury
- Pediatric neurology including cerebral palsy and developmental delays
- Adjunctive treatment in epilepsy management