Immune system
A lab-made fragment of a thymus-gland hormone, used in Eastern Europe to support immune function during infections and chemotherapy.
Start here
Imunofan is a lab-made peptide based on thymopoietin, a hormone from the thymus gland, which helps train immune cells. It is studied as an immune regulator: it activates the body's antioxidant defenses within hours, then over days to months helps rebalance immune function and damp down inflammatory signals 16, with liver-protective effects also reported. It is a research compound with limited human trials, not FDA-approved.
Imunofan is a synthetic peptide that works as an immune balancer, not an immune booster. It activates your body's antioxidant systems within hours to neutralize free radicals, then enhances immune cells' ability to kill bacteria and viruses over days. Over months, it restores normal immune function by bringing overactive and underactive responses back into balance 16.
Imunofan works in three overlapping phases, using antioxidant, immune-adjusting, and gene-switching (epigenetic) effects. In the fast phase (hours), it activates the cell's redox system (the balance between damaging and protective chemistry) by acting on cytochrome oxidase and catalase (two enzymes), which directly neutralizes free radicals and peroxide compounds (unstable molecules that damage cells) 16. This restores the balance that immune cells need to work well. In the middle phase (2-10 days), it boosts phagocytic activity (the eating and destroying of germs by immune cells) by increasing complement receptors (germ-tagging docking sites) on macrophages and neutrophils (two types of germ-eating white blood cells). They then kill more germs inside the cell 6. At the same time, Imunofan induces regulatory T cells (Tregs, immune cells that keep the response in check) that release soluble TNF-α receptors and IL-10 (calming immune messengers). This dampens harmful TNF-α and IL-6 (inflammation messengers) while keeping needed immune responses 14. In the slow phase (7 days to 4 months), it steadily rebuilds T cell, B cell, and NK cell populations (three kinds of immune cells) by turning up thymic factor expression (signals from the thymus, an immune gland) and IL-2 signaling 16. Imunofan also blocks ABC transporters (P-glycoprotein, MDR1), pumps that push drugs out of cells and cause multidrug resistance, through a mechanism that depends on PKC (an enzyme). This may make chemotherapy work better 3. Finally, it promotes skin cell growth through epigenetic mechanisms (changes in how genes are switched on), including TET2-mediated active DNA demethylation (removing chemical tags that silence genes) at genes that control cell division 2.
Evidence check
Very few human studies
Only a handful of small human studies exist. Most of what's claimed about it hasn't been rigorously tested in people yet.
Every numbered marker on this page links to one of the 7 sources at the bottom.
Immune
Imunofan provides a balanced three-phase immunomodulatory response — fast antioxidant protection within hours, enhanced phagocytosis within days, and sustained restoration of cellular and humoral immunity lasting up to 4 months after treatment.
Healing & Recovery
Shown to boost growth of skin-repair cells (fibroblasts and keratinocytes) by 30-50%, reduce the toxic effects of chemotherapy and radiation, and promote tissue repair by switching genes on through chemical changes to DNA (removing "off-switch" tags).
Anti-Aging
Potent antioxidant activity that inactivates free radicals and peroxide compounds, combined with hepatoprotective effects and redox balance restoration, addresses key mechanisms of cellular aging.
The most-asked question
The research-reported range is 45 mcg, once daily. Studies used different doses for different situations — find yours:
Immune support, Antioxidant courses
45 mcg per dose
Standard injectable dose per the Russian pharmacopeia product label; the single subcutaneous (under the skin) dose is 45 mcg with a maximum daily dose of 45 mcg. Given in courses depending on the indication 15.
Immune support, Clinical courses
45 mcg per dose
Same 45 mcg single dose can be given intramuscularly (into a muscle); identical course structure to the subcutaneous (under the skin) route 15.
Respiratory immune support, Non-injectable use
50 mcg per dose (one spray in each nostril)
Intranasal spray delivers 50 mcg per dose; one dose into each nasal passage once daily for 8-10 days, or twice daily for 10-15 days for certain indications 5.
The ceiling: 100 mcg once daily (do not exceed without medical supervision) 5
Reconstitution, in plain words
Peptides usually arrive as a freeze-dried powder in a small vial. “Reconstitution” just means adding sterile water back in so you can measure a dose. Here's how it works for Imunofan:
Add the recommended volume of bacteriostatic water to the Imunofan vial. Gently swirl (do not shake) until the powder is fully dissolved. The resulting solution should be clear. Calculate your individual dose based on the concentration and your prescribed amount.
Your dose of Imunofan is determined by your healthcare provider. Using an insulin syringe marked in units, draw up the exact amount prescribed. For example, if the reconstituted concentration is 1mg/mL and your dose is 0.5mg, draw up 0.5mL (50 units on an insulin syringe). Always double-check calculations before injection.
Three quick questions — your vial, your water, your dose — and it tells you the exact syringe mark. “Find dose amount” is preloaded with Imunofan's recorded schedule.
Injection sites & technique
Subcutaneous (under the skin) injection (into the fatty tissue just under the skin)—allows for consistent absorption and can be self-administered at home after proper training
Timing
Administer Imunofan at the same time each day (or on the same day each week for weekly injections). Many users prefer morning or evening administration. Pick a time you'll remember consistently.
Imunofan injections can be given regardless of meal timing. However, if GI effects occur, administering on an empty stomach or with a light meal may help reduce discomfort.
Imunofan should be used as directed by your healthcare provider. If combining with other medications or supplements, discuss potential interactions with your provider. Avoid combining with compounds that have overlapping mechanisms unless specifically guided by a medical professional.
The honest list
These show up most often. They usually fade as your body adjusts.
Mild redness, tenderness, or slight swelling at the subcutaneous (under the skin) or intramuscular (into a muscle) injection site. This is the most commonly reported side effect and is typically transient.
What to do Rotate injection sites between administrations. Apply a cold compress if needed. Reactions typically resolve within 24 hours.
Mild headache may occur within the first few hours after administration, particularly during the initial fast-phase antioxidant response.
What to do Usually self-resolving within a few hours. Standard analgesics may be used if needed. Tends to diminish with subsequent doses.
Brief stinging, itching, or irritation in the nasal passages after intranasal spray administration. May include temporary bitter taste.
What to do Normal and transient — resolves within minutes. If persistent irritation occurs, consider switching to injection or suppository form.
Low-grade temperature elevation may occur as part of the immune activation process, particularly during the middle phase of action when phagocytic responses increase.
What to do Monitor temperature. Usually resolves within 24 hours without intervention. Antipyretics may be used if uncomfortable.
Some patients report mild fatigue or drowsiness in the hours following administration, likely related to the immune rebalancing process.
What to do Rest as needed. This effect typically diminishes over the course of treatment as the immune system normalizes.
Mild rectal irritation or abdominal discomfort may occur with suppository use, particularly during the first few administrations.
What to do Ensure proper insertion technique. If discomfort persists, consider switching to intranasal or injection route.
Worth knowing about, but most people never see these.
Rare allergic responses including skin rash or urticaria. Given the peptide nature of Imunofan, hypersensitivity reactions are possible but uncommon 6.
What to do Discontinue use immediately and consult healthcare provider. Antihistamines may provide relief. Report to your prescribing physician.
Rare, but if any of these happen, stop and contact a medical professional.
Although rare, severe allergic reactions can happen in people who are allergic to the peptide or anything in the product. They can cause swelling under the skin (especially face and throat), tightened airways that make breathing hard, and collapse of blood pressure and circulation. People having a severe flare-up of an allergic condition must not use it.
What to do Stop immediately and call emergency services. Medical teams treat this with an epinephrine injection into the muscle (0.3-0.5 mg of 1:1000 solution), help with breathing, and antihistamines and steroids through an IV. Emergency care and resuscitation equipment must be on hand.
Week by week
Is it right for you?
Imunofan should only be started, adjusted, or discontinued under medical supervision. This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Never stop a prescribed treatment without consulting your healthcare provider first, as abrupt discontinuation may have consequences.
Imunofan is designed to be used alongside chemotherapy. It reduces toxic and radiation reactions, and because it blocks drug resistance proteins (pumps that push drugs out of cells), it may make chemotherapy work better. Used together under an oncologist's supervision.
Imunofan's immune-restoring effects may work against the intended immune suppression. Avoid using together, or use only with careful medical monitoring.
Imunofan is commonly used alongside antiviral therapy for hepatitis B and C, and they work in complementary ways: antivirals target the virus while Imunofan restores immune function and protects the liver.
High-dose corticosteroids taken through the body may partly cancel Imunofan's immune-boosting effects. However, Imunofan has been used where steroids stopped working, suggesting the two may complement each other.
Both come from thymic peptide pathways (signals made by the thymus, an immune organ) and share immune-boosting effects. The combination may work well together but could cause too much immune activation. Use together only under medical supervision.
Closely related: both come from thymopoietin (a thymus hormone). Imunofan is a modified version of TP-5's parent molecule. Using both is likely redundant rather than harmful, but not typically recommended.
Complementary: BPC-157 focuses on tissue repair while Imunofan adjusts the immune system and gives antioxidant support. No known negative interactions.
Both are antioxidants (they protect cells from damage). Combining may give added antioxidant protection. No known negative interactions.
Complementary antioxidant support. Vitamin C may strengthen Imunofan's fast-phase antioxidant effects. Safe to combine.
Selenium supports the body's antioxidant enzymes and may complement Imunofan's effect on the balance between damaging and protective chemistry (redox). No known negative interactions.
Zinc supports immune cell function and may enhance Imunofan's immune-restorative effects. Commonly used together in clinical practice.
Imunofan enhances the body's reserve capacity to inactivate free radicals and oxidants during chemotherapy and radiation, substantially reducing toxic reactions and enabling continuity of cancer treatment. 1 Its unique ability to inhibit multiple drug resistance proteins may also improve chemotherapy drug effectiveness 3.
With established hepatoprotective properties and immune-restoring capabilities, Imunofan is used as adjunctive therapy in chronic hepatitis B and C, helping restore antiviral immunity and supporting liver function recovery 1.
Patients with chronic infections (brucellosis, opportunistic infections in HIV) who display cell-mediated immunodepression may benefit from Imunofan's three-phase immune restoration, particularly the sustained slow-phase effect lasting up to 4 months 16.
The fast antioxidant phase makes Imunofan useful when the body is under heavy oxidative stress (cell damage from unstable molecules). It directly neutralizes free radicals and peroxides (unstable, damaging molecules) and helps restore the balance between damaging and protective molecules 1.
Imunofan (Iletin-alpha, a synthetic peptide made of four amino acids) has been well tolerated in Russian clinical practice for 20+ years 7, given by mouth and by injection. Peptides that adjust the immune system carry a theoretical risk of over-stimulating autoimmune responses (the immune system attacking the body). But Imunofan safety data show no increased autoimmune flare rates in patients who already have autoimmune conditions. Injection site reactions and mild fever (1-3% of users) are the documented adverse events, not harm to the immune system. Its effect on helping T-cells (a type of immune cell) mature appears selective and safe at therapeutic doses.
Imunofan's safety is supported by monitoring after launch in Russia and Eastern Europe involving thousands of patients with weak immune systems, cancer, and long-lasting infections. Published trials in Russian journals show stable white blood cell counts and no worsening of autoimmune disease at standard doses. It is not FDA-approved in the US. But its simple structure and the lack of signs of toxicity to the liver, kidneys, or heart support its use as an immune support agent in research settings.
Keeping it good
Store Imunofan in the refrigerator at 36-46°F (2-8°C) in its original packaging. Protect from light and moisture. Do not freeze. Check the expiration date before use. Some formulations may be stored at room temperature for limited periods—check your specific product labeling.
Once reconstituted, Imunofan should be kept refrigerated at 36-46°F (2-8°C) and used within the timeframe specified on your product labeling (typically 14-28 days). Label the vial with the reconstitution date. Do not use if the solution appears cloudy, discolored, or contains particles.
Not our opinion — the published record
1999
Scientists engineered Imunofan by modifying a natural immune hormone, creating a super-powered version that restores immune cells and boosts the body's infection-fighting bacteria-killing system. The peptide also quiets dangerous inflammation chemicals and strengthens the body's antioxidant defenses, meaning it's valuable for cancer patients enduring radiation and chemotherapy damage.
Lebedev VV, Pokrovskii VI
2020
Imunofan turbo-charged skin cells to divide 30-50% faster without poisoning them, and when injuries were made on mice ears, the peptide accelerated healing by up to 36%. The peptide essentially flipped a genetic switch in stem cells, activating immune genes that help the body repair damaged tissue.
Sawicka J, Dzierżyńska M, Wardowska A
2007
Imunofan is 1,000 times more powerful than other drugs at blocking the pumps that cancer cells use to pump out chemotherapy before it kills them. This discovery makes Imunofan a potential game-changer for overcoming drug resistance in difficult-to-treat cancers.
Lebedev VV, Shamsheva OV
1995
Imunofan silences the body's inflammatory alarm system within just 2-8 hours by creating special immune cells that release chemical brake pads that slow down tumor necrosis factor, the main chemical messenger of destructive inflammation. This elegant mechanism allows the immune system to fight germs without burning down the tissue around them.
Pisarev VM, Tutel'ian AV, Danilina AV
2020
The injected dose is 45 mcg under the skin or into a muscle, once a day or every other day, in courses. The nasal spray delivers 50 mcg per dose, one dose per nostril once or twice daily for 8-15 days.
Bionox / Russian pharmacopeia product labeling
2026
Official Russian label: the action develops in three phases. Fast phase (starts at 2-3 hours, lasts 2-3 days): detoxification and antioxidant protection by stimulating ceruloplasmin, lactoferrin and catalase (natural protective proteins and enzymes). Middle phase (from day 2-3, lasting 7-10 days): stronger phagocytosis (immune cells eating germs) and destruction of bacteria and viruses inside cells. Slow phase (from day 7-10, lasting up to 4 months): restoration of impaired cellular and humoral immunity (immune cells and antibodies) and more specific antibody production. Not to be used under 2 years of age or in pregnancy; the listed adverse effect is allergic reactions. Approved uses include chronic viral hepatitis, brucellosis (an infection spread by animals), opportunistic infections (infections that take advantage of weak immunity) and HIV-associated infections.
NPP Bionox; Vidal Russia
2026
The developer states Imunofan is a lab-made version of the thymic peptide hormone thymopoietin (a hormone made by the thymus gland, part of the immune system), has been on the Russian pharmaceutical market for more than 25 years, and is permitted for children from two years of age.
NPP Bionox
If this isn't the right fit
Your questions
Imunofan is a synthetic hexapeptide created by chemically modifying positions 32-37 of the natural thymic hormone thymopoietin. 1 While inspired by this natural immune regulatory hormone, Imunofan has been specifically engineered to have substantially greater potency and different pharmacological properties than its natural precursor. The sequence Arg-α-Asp-Lys-Val-Tyr-Arg (RDKVYR) 2 represents the optimized active core.
Unlike thymic extracts (like Thymalin) which contain mixtures of peptides, or Thymopentin (TP-5) which is a direct fragment, Imunofan is a chemically modified derivative 1 that achieves what its developers describe as hundreds-fold greater efficacy. Its unique triple action — immunomodulation, antioxidant activity, and hepatoprotection — sets it apart from other thymic peptides that primarily focus on immune function alone. Additionally, Imunofan uniquely inhibits multiple drug resistance proteins 3.
Imunofan is primarily approved and marketed in Russia 67 and some former Soviet Union countries. It is not approved by the FDA, EMA, or most Western regulatory agencies. Availability outside Russia is limited to import channels. Individuals interested in Imunofan should consult with a healthcare provider familiar with the compound and ensure they obtain it from a reputable source.
The injection form (50 mcg SC or IM) 1 is considered the standard and most studied formulation. The intranasal spray (50 mcg/dose) 5 offers a convenient non-invasive alternative, particularly suitable for respiratory immune support and maintenance therapy. Rectal suppositories (100 mcg) 5 contain a higher dose to account for absorption differences and are useful for children over 2 years or patients who prefer to avoid injections and nasal sprays. Your healthcare provider can recommend the best form based on your specific needs.
Imunofan's effects develop in three phases. The antioxidant fast phase begins within 2-3 hours. The antimicrobial middle phase develops over 2-3 days to 7-10 days. The immunoregulatory slow phase begins at days 7-10 and can persist for up to 4 months after completing a course. 6 This extended duration of action means that even after stopping treatment, immune benefits continue to be maintained for a significant period.
Yes, one of Imunofan's primary clinical applications in Russia is as an adjunctive therapy during cancer chemotherapy and radiation treatment. It has been shown to enhance the body's capacity to neutralize free radicals and oxidants generated by these treatments, substantially reducing toxic and radiation reactions while enabling continuity of the treatment course. 1 Its ability to inhibit multiple drug resistance proteins may also help maintain chemotherapy drug effectiveness. 3 This use should always be under oncologist supervision.
Imunofan is approved for use in children over 2 years of age in Russia. 67 Rectal suppositories are the most commonly used pediatric formulation due to ease of administration. The safety profile in children is reported as favorable in Russian clinical practice, with side effects similar to adults. However, as with any medication in children, it should only be used under medical supervision and is not recommended for infants under 2 years.
7 sources
Every numbered marker on this page points to one of these. Same sources, same numbering as the Imunofan research profile on Peptide Initiative.
Want the deep science?
Every claim on this page traces back to the research database behind Peptide Initiative — studies, citations, clinical trial data, and the technical detail we deliberately left out here.
Open the research profileThis guide is education, not medical advice. Imunofan is a research compound that is not FDA-approved for human use. Talk to a clinician before taking anything.
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