Cerebrolysin: Dosage & Administration

Cerebrolysin dosing depends on the clinical indication. Unlike most research peptides, Cerebrolysin is a pre-made injectable solution (not lyophilized powder), and dosing is measured in milliliters rather than micrograms.

Indication	Dose	Route	Duration	Evidence Level
Acute ischemic stroke	30 mL/day	IV infusion (in 100mL saline)	10–21 days	Multiple RCTs
Traumatic brain injury (TBI)	30 mL/day	IV infusion	10–21 days	Phase 3 trials
Vascular dementia	10–30 mL/day	IV infusion	20–28 days, repeated courses	RCTs (Cochrane reviewed)
Alzheimer's disease	10–30 mL/day	IV infusion	20–28 days, repeated 2–4x/year	Phase 3 trials
Cognitive enhancement (nootropic)	5–10 mL/day	IM injection	10–20 day cycles	Clinical experience

Key dosing principle: Higher doses (20–30 mL) require IV infusion diluted in physiological saline, administered over 15–60 minutes. Doses up to 10 mL can be given as direct IM injection. Doses above 5 mL IM should be split between two injection sites.

Cerebrolysin comes as a ready-to-use amber solution in glass ampules — no reconstitution is needed.

Intravenous (IV) infusion:

• Dilute the prescribed dose in 100–250 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline)
• Infuse over 15–60 minutes depending on volume
• IV is the preferred route for doses above 10 mL and for acute neurological conditions
• Do not mix with solutions containing divalent cations (calcium, magnesium)

Intramuscular (IM) injection:

• Used for lower doses (5–10 mL) in outpatient and nootropic protocols
• Inject into the gluteus or deltoid muscle using a 21–23 gauge needle
• Volumes above 5 mL should be split between two injection sites
• This is an intramuscular injection, not subcutaneous — technique differs from standard peptide injection

Cerebrolysin is administered in defined treatment courses rather than continuously:

• Acute stroke/TBI: Single course of 10–21 consecutive daily infusions, initiated within 24–72 hours
• Dementia/Alzheimer's: Repeated courses of 20–28 days, repeated 2–4 times per year. Benefits accumulate with repeated courses
• Nootropic/cognitive optimization: 10–20 day courses, repeated every 3–6 months

The CASTA trial demonstrated that benefits observed at day 21 persisted through 90-day follow-up after a single treatment course.

For comparison with other neuroprotective approaches, see Cerebrolysin vs Semax, or explore Semax and Dihexa as alternative nootropic peptides.

• Store at room temperature (15–25°C) — do not refrigerate or freeze
• Protect from light — keep ampules in original packaging
• Single-use ampules: Once opened, use immediately. Discard any unused solution
• Check before use: Solution should be clear and amber-colored. Do not use if cloudy or containing particles

See the peptide storage guide for general handling principles.