Cortagen (20 mg vial)

Protocol Overview

Concise summary of the regimen.

Dosing & Reconstitution

Frequency: Inject once daily subcutaneously, preferably in the morning. For doses under ~10 units, consider

Reconstitution Steps

1. Draw 3.0 mL bacteriostatic water with a sterile syringe.
2. Inject slowly down the vial wall; avoid foaming.
3. Gently swirl until dissolved (do not shake).
4. Label and refrigerate at 2 to 8 °C, protected from light. At 6.67 mg/mL, 1 unit = 0.01 mL » 66.7 mcg on a U-100 insulin syringe.

Storage Instructions

Proper storage preserves peptide quality.

• Lyophilized: store at -20 °C for long-term; 2 to 8 °C acceptable short-term.
• Reconstituted: refrigerate at 2 to 8 °C; use within 4 weeks; avoid freeze-thaw.
• Allow vials to reach room temperature before opening to reduce condensation uptake.

Supplies Needed

Plan based on a 4 week daily protocol with gradual titration.

Peptide Vials (Cortagen, 20 mg each):

• 4 weeks: ~3 vials (average 1,500 mcg/day = 42 mg total).
• 8 weeks: ~5 vials.

Insulin Syringes (U-100):

• Per week: 7 syringes. 4 weeks: 28. 8 weeks: 56.

Bacteriostatic Water (10 mL bottles):

• 4 weeks (3 vials): 1 bottle. 8 weeks (5 vials): 2 bottles.

Alcohol Swabs:

• 4 weeks: 56 (1 x 100-count). 8 weeks: 112 (2 x 100-count).

Important Notes

Practical considerations for consistency and safety.

• Use new sterile insulin syringes; dispose in a sharps container.
• Rotate injection sites to reduce local irritation.
• Inject slowly; wait a few seconds before withdrawing the needle.
• Document daily dose and site rotation to maintain consistency.

How This Works

Cortagen (Ala-Glu-Asp-Pro) is a synthetic tetrapeptide derived from amino acid analysis of the natural brain cortex preparation Cortexin. It acts as a gene expression modulator and epigenetic regulator, influencing the synthesis of proteins involved in neuronal growth, differentiation, and stress resistance. Preclinical studies demonstrate that Cortagen can upregulate neurotrophic factors, reduce oxidative stress markers, and accelerate peripheral nerve regeneration, increasing nerve fiber growth rate and conduction velocity by 27 to 40% in injury models. In chronic cerebral ischemia models, Cortagen improved behavioral recovery and protected against oxidative damage.

Benefits & Side Effects

Observations from preclinical and clinical literature.

• Supports peripheral nerve regeneration with improved growth rate and conduction velocity in injury

models.

• Demonstrates neuroprotective effects in ischemia models by reducing lipid peroxidation and preserving

antioxidant enzyme activity.

• May enhance cognitive function and memory through promotion of synaptic plasticity and neurite

outgrowth.

• Shows gene expression modulation in cardiac and neural tissues with broad regulatory effects.
• Generally well tolerated with no significant adverse effects observed at therapeutic doses in animal

studies.

• Occasional mild injection-site reactions may occur with subcutaneous administration.

Lifestyle Factors

Complementary strategies for best outcomes.

• Maintain a nutrient-rich diet with adequate protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants.
• Engage in regular physical activity and cognitive exercises to reinforce neuroplasticity.
• Prioritize quality sleep and stress management to support cellular repair and recovery.

Injection Technique

General subcutaneous guidance from clinical best-practice resources.

1. Clean the vial stopper and skin with alcohol; allow to dry.
2. Pinch a skinfold; insert the needle at 45 to 90 degrees into subcutaneous tissue.
3. Do not aspirate for subcutaneous injections; inject slowly and steadily.
4. Wait 5 to 10 seconds before withdrawing; dispose of syringe in sharps container.
5. Rotate sites systematically (abdomen, thighs, upper arms) to avoid lipohypertrophy.

References

Source citations for further reading.

1. Effect of tetrapeptide cortagen on regeneration of sciatic nerve (PubMed).
2. Cortexin and Cortagen as correcting agents in chronic brain ischemia (PubMed).