Thymagen
One of the Khavinson "bioregulator" peptides from Russian aging research. Evidence comes mainly from Russian cell and animal studies.
Sold as a supplement in Russia; not approved in the US. Research use only.
Look it up on Wikipedia2 listings across 2 independently tested vendors, ranked by price per milligram after coupon codes anyone can use. Vendors you can only order from by message are hidden.
Not an FDA-approved drug and not nominated for FDA's 503A bulks list, so US pharmacies can't legally compound it.
Daily price tracking started October 7, 2026; a price-history chart appears here once a few days have been collected.
| Vendor | Trust | Listing | Vials | Price | Per mg | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Core Peptides #282 by metascore |
Metascore 70 medium confidenceFinnrick 76%PepIndex 24/100Bought vials 92% of label · 4 testsTitrateLab · PeptideBase · Peptide Critic · PeptideCheckedNo report for thisOnline checkout |
Thymagen – 20MG | 1 × 20 mg | $78.00 | $3.90 | Buy |
Tydes #41 by metascore · US: NC |
Metascore 80Finnrick 68%Bought vials 117% of label · 44 testsTitrateLab · Peptide CriticNo report for thisConfirmed with lab: 16 of 16Online checkout |
Thymagen 20mg | 1 × 20 mg | $79.99 | $4.00 | Buy |
Mixing a 20 mg vial
What each common amount of bacteriostatic water gives you on a U-100 insulin syringe. Pick a vial size above to change it.
| Water | Strength | Per 10 units (0.1 mL) | Per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mL | 20 mg/mL | 2,000 mcg | 200 mcg |
| 2 mL | 10 mg/mL | 1,000 mcg | 100 mcg |
| 3 mL | 6.667 mg/mL | 666.7 mcg | 66.67 mcg |
| 5 mL | 4 mg/mL | 400 mcg | 40 mcg |
What the research says
Thymagen (Thymogen, the dipeptide Glu-Trp) has a Soviet and Russian clinical literature from the 1990s reporting immune and clinical improvement when added to treatment for infections, tuberculosis and surgery, but those studies are small, mostly open-label and poorly reported by modern standards. The same dipeptide, developed in the West as IM862 for AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma, failed a proper phase 3 randomized trial.
Key papers ✓ 8✗ 1~ 1? 1
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Angiogenesis inhibitor IM862 is ineffective against AIDS-Kaposi's sarcoma in a phase III trial, but demonstrates sustained, potent effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy: from the AIDS Malignancy Consortium and IM862 Study Team.Humanssize not reportedRandomizedPlacebo-controlledDouble-blind24 weeksRandomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled phase III trial of IM862 (dipeptide L-Glu-L-Trp), 5 mg intranasally every other day
In 202 HIV-positive patients with Kaposi sarcoma, intranasal IM862 (the Glu-Trp dipeptide) gave no better response rate than placebo (23% vs 21%) and was associated with a shorter time to progression (16 vs 35 weeks).
Key resultResponse rate 23% with IM862 vs 21% with placebo (P = .46); median time to progression 16 vs 35 weeks (P = .012)
Study details
- Studied
- HIV-positive patients with AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma
- Compared with
- Placebo
- Main outcome
- Tumor response rate
- Sample
- 202 HIV-positive patients enrolled: 104 on IM862, 98 on placebo
- Authors' conclusion
- IM862 was not superior to placebo and may accelerate time to progression. Antiretroviral therapy alone gave substantial sustained responses and may have confounded earlier estimates.
- Limitations
- Antiretroviral use differed between arms (88% vs 96%); IM862 is the thymogen-related dipeptide, not thymogen itself.
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Results of a randomized study of IM862 nasal solution in the treatment of AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma.Humanssize not reportedRandomizedPlacebo-controlledRepeated cycles until progression or toxicityRandomized comparison of two IM862 5 mg intranasal dosing schedules
In an earlier randomized dose-schedule study of 44 patients with AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma, IM862 produced major responses in 36% with only mild transient headache, fatigue, tingling and nausea; there was no placebo arm.
Key resultMajor responses in 36% (five complete and 11 partial remissions)
Study details
- Studied
- Patients with AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma (median age 38 years)
- Compared with
- Two dosing schedules (no placebo)
- Main outcome
- Tumor response
- Sample
- 44 patients randomized to two schedules (18 five-days-on/off, 26 every-other-day)
- Authors' conclusion
- Intranasal IM862 was well tolerated and had antitumor activity in AIDS-KS; a randomized double-blinded study was in progress.
- Limitations
- No placebo arm; most patients on concurrent protease inhibitors.
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[Application thymogen for preoperative preparation of elderly patients with tumor processes in abdominal cavity].Humanssize not reportedRandomizedPlacebo-controlledDouble-blind7 days before surgeryDouble-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of Thymogen 100 mg intranasally once daily
In a double-blind placebo-controlled trial in elderly patients before abdominal tumour surgery, 7 days of intranasal thymogen restored cellular immunity measures and was reported to reduce postoperative complications and shorten recovery; patient numbers and effect sizes are not given in the abstract.
Study details
- Studied
- Elderly patients undergoing surgery for solid tumors in the abdominal cavity and retroperitoneal space
- Compared with
- Isotonic sodium chloride placebo
- Main outcome
- Cellular immunity parameters, postoperative complications, postoperative period
- Authors' conclusion
- Preoperative Thymogen helped restore cellular immunity parameters and significantly decreased postoperative complications and shortened the postoperative period.
- Limitations
- Abstract gives no sample size or numerical results.
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[Thymogen in the complex treatment of inflammatory diseases of the female genital system].Humans46 peopleNo control groupThymogen added to combined therapy
In 46 women with acute endomyometritis or other genital inflammatory disease, thymogen added to standard therapy normalized lymphocyte counts and was reported to give a marked clinical effect with no complications; uncontrolled.
Study details
- Studied
- Patients with acute endomyometritis, exacerbated chronic salpingo-oophoritis or purulent tubo-ovarian formations
- Main outcome
- Lymphocyte counts, T and B lymphocytes, T-cell function
- Sample
- 46 patients
- Authors' conclusion
- Thymogen normalized lymphocyte counts and increased T lymphocyte functional activity without complications; recommended for combined therapy.
- Limitations
- No control group described in the abstract; no numerical results.
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[The effect of thymogen on the state of immunity in destructive pulmonary tuberculosis].Humanssize not reportedNo control groupCourses of 2 and 4 monthsClinical immunocorrection study
In destructive pulmonary tuberculosis, thymogen stimulated T-cell measures and was reported to improve cavity healing and reduce bacterial shedding; a small non-randomized clinical study.
Study details
- Studied
- Patients with destructive pulmonary tuberculosis
- Main outcome
- T-cell immunity, tolerance of antituberculosis drugs, cavity healing
- Authors' conclusion
- Thymogen stimulated the T-cell link, improved tolerance of treatment and was associated with cavity healing and cessation of bacterial discharge; two courses are recommended.
- Limitations
- Abstract gives no sample size, control group or numbers.
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[Changes of immune and non-specific reactivity in patients with chronic suppurative obstructive bronchitis in comprehensive treatment with thymogen].Humans33 peopleNo control groupThymogen added to multimodality treatment
In 33 patients with chronic suppurative obstructive bronchitis, adding thymogen normalized T-cell and non-specific immunity measures with higher reported clinical efficacy.
Study details
- Studied
- Patients with chronic pyoobstructive bronchitis with immunological disorders
- Main outcome
- T-cell immunity and nonspecific responsiveness parameters
- Sample
- 33 patients
- Authors' conclusion
- Thymogen in multimodality treatment contributed to normalization of T-cell immunity and nonspecific responsiveness, with higher clinical efficacy.
- Limitations
- Abstract describes no control group.
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[The effect of the synthetic immunomodulator thymogen on radiation-induced carcinogenesis in rats].Animalssize not reported12 monthsAnimal carcinogenesis study; 12 monthly courses of thymogen 5 micrograms/animal for 5 days
In rats given radioactive strontium and caesium, monthly thymogen courses reduced total tumour and cancer incidence and lengthened lifespan.
Study details
- Studied
- Female rats given Sr-90 and Cs-137 in drinking water
- Compared with
- Radionuclide-only and untreated animals
- Main outcome
- Tumor and cancer incidence, life span
- Authors' conclusion
- Thymogen inhibited radionuclide-induced carcinogenesis, and thymogen alone was associated with longer life span and lower tumor incidence in rats.
- Limitations
- Animal study; sample size not given in abstract.
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Hepatoprotective Effects of Thymogen Analogues in Hydrazine Hepatopathy in Rats.Animalssize not reportedAnimal study of thymogen and D-Ala analogues
In rats with hydrazine-induced liver injury, thymogen and D-alanine-modified analogues at lower doses reduced lipid peroxidation and stimulated hepatocyte repair, with no added benefit at higher doses.
Study details
- Studied
- Rats with hydrazine-induced hepatopathy
- Main outcome
- Catalase activity, malondialdehyde and hepatocyte regeneration
- Authors' conclusion
- Lower doses of thymogen and its analogues inhibited lipid peroxidation and stimulated hepatocyte regeneration; the C-terminal D-Ala analogue was most effective.
- Limitations
- Animal study; sample size not given in abstract.
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Сравнительное влияние тималина и тимогена на иммунитет, гемостаз и течение послеоперационного эндометритаHumans60 peopleRandomized10 days of intramuscular treatmentControlled comparison of thymalin or thymogen added to standard complex therapy; randomization not stated
In 60 women with endometritis after caesarean section, adding thymalin or thymogen to standard therapy (25 controls on standard therapy alone) was reported to correct immune and clotting disturbances faster, with a favourable clinical effect; no randomization stated and results not split by peptide.
Study details
- Studied
- Women with postoperative endometritis after caesarean section
- Compared with
- Standard complex therapy alone (25 women)
- Main outcome
- Immune status, coagulation/fibrinolysis, course of endometritis
- Sample
- 60 treated women (thymalin or thymogen) plus 25 controls
- Authors' conclusion
- Thymic peptides (thymalin or thymogen) in complex therapy were accompanied by more rapid correction of immune and haemostasis disorders and a good clinical effect.
- Limitations
- No stated randomization or blinding; thymalin and thymogen groups pooled in the abstract; numbers not given in the abstract.
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Эффективность тимогена и кларитина в комплексном лечении больных крапивницейHumans79 peopleNo control groupUncontrolled treatment series (no control group described in abstract)
In 79 patients with urticaria given thymogen plus the antihistamine loratadine (Claritin), symptoms cleared in about 9-10 days and 25.4% had remission of at least 6 months; uncontrolled, and the effect cannot be attributed to thymogen.
Key resultRemission over 6 months in 25% of patients and over 3 months in 43%
Study details
- Studied
- Patients with urticaria and reduced T-suppressor/T-helper levels and raised IgE
- Main outcome
- Remission duration and immune indices
- Sample
- 79 patients with urticaria
- Authors' conclusion
- The authors report that the thymogen and Claritin regimen produced long remissions and improved immune indices.
- Limitations
- No control group; combined with an antihistamine, so the effect of thymogen cannot be isolated.
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The Effect of Drugs with α-Glutamyl-Tryptophan for Cytokine Secretion and Level of Surface Molecule ICAM-1 In Vitro.Cells / labIn vitro inflammation model with alpha-Glu-Trp and Cytovir-3
In cultured endothelial cells and blood mononuclear cells, alpha-Glu-Trp (the thymogen dipeptide) reduced TNF-alpha-induced IL-1alpha and IL-8 secretion but raised ICAM-1, an anti-inflammatory yet cell-activating profile.
Study details
- Studied
- EA.hy 926 endothelial cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy donors
- Compared with
- Untreated / TNF-alpha-stimulated cells
- Main outcome
- IL-1alpha and IL-8 secretion and ICAM-1 level
- Authors' conclusion
- Suppression of stimulated pro-inflammatory cytokines by alpha-Glu-Trp may underlie anti-inflammatory properties, while raised ICAM-1 indicates enhanced functional activity of the cells.
- Limitations
- In vitro only; cells from healthy donors; Cytovir-3 is a multi-ingredient drug.
Reported side effects
- reportedHeadache [ref]
- reportedFatigue [ref]
- reportedTingling (paraesthesia) [ref]
- reportedNausea [ref]
The best-controlled human trial (phase 3, 202 patients) found no benefit and a shorter time to tumour progression than placebo; the Russian clinical reports are small and mostly uncontrolled.
✓ positive · ✗ negative · ~ mixed · ? inconclusive, judged on each paper's own main outcome. Grades: A strong human evidence → D little or none. Papers and verdicts are drawn from PubMed, Europe PMC and Russian journals (CyberLeninka); not medical advice.
Discussions elsewhere
Experiences and questions about Thymagen on other sites. Treat anecdotes with care.
Thymagen: questions people ask
What is Thymagen?
Russian short-peptide bioregulator. One of the Khavinson "bioregulator" peptides from Russian aging research. Evidence comes mainly from Russian cell and animal studies.
How much does Thymagen cost?
The cheapest Thymagen from an independently tested vendor is $3.90 per mg (Core Peptides, Thymagen – 20MG, $78.00). Across 2 listings from 2 vendors the median is $4.00 per mg.
Where can I buy Thymagen?
2 vendors tested by Finnrick sell Thymagen. The cheapest per mg right now: Core Peptides ($3.90), Tydes ($4.00). 0 of them publish a lab report (COA) for Thymagen; compare lab scores and reports in the table above before buying.
How much bacteriostatic water for 20 mg of Thymagen?
Adding 2 mL of bacteriostatic water to a 20 mg vial of Thymagen gives 10 mg/mL: each 10 units on a U-100 insulin syringe holds 1,000 mcg. With 1 mL it's 20 mg/mL (2,000 mcg per 10 units); with 3 mL, 6.667 mg/mL (666.7 mcg per 10 units). More water makes small amounts easier to measure. Mixing charts: 20 mg.
Is Thymagen FDA approved?
Sold as a supplement in Russia; not approved in the US. Research use only.
Can Thymagen be compounded in the US?
Not an FDA-approved drug and not nominated for FDA's 503A bulks list, so US pharmacies can't legally compound it. Compounding status for every peptide.
Does Thymagen work? What does the research say?
Evidence grade B (some human evidence), from 11 papers: Two RCTs conflict: a 202-patient phase 3 trial (as IM862) failed in Kaposi sarcoma, while a small Russian surgical trial was positive; the rest is uncontrolled. Thymagen (Thymogen, the dipeptide Glu-Trp) has a Soviet and Russian clinical literature from the 1990s reporting immune and clinical improvement when added to treatment for infections, tuberculosis and surgery, but those studies are small, mostly open-label and poorly reported by modern standards. The same dipeptide, developed in the West as IM862 for AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma, failed a proper phase 3 randomized trial. See the papers.
What are the side effects of Thymagen?
Reported in the research: Headache; Fatigue; Tingling (paraesthesia); Nausea. The best-controlled human trial (phase 3, 202 patients) found no benefit and a shorter time to tumour progression than placebo; the Russian clinical reports are small and mostly uncontrolled.