Piracetam

The world’s best-selling nootropic drug, piracetam, is purported to prevent and correct memory loss due to old age, sharpening memory and improving clarity and attention to detail. It is used to treat senile dementia and Down’s syndrome. A derivative of the amino acid GABA, piracetam helps restore levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. It also increases the sensitivity of muscarinic receptors, which decreases with age. It brings about important metabolic modifications in nerve cells, which results in greater receptiveness and increased use of chemical energy by these cells.

Piracetam’s anti-aging benefits include treatment and prevention of age-related mental decline, protection of the brain against aging damage and environmental toxins, increased potential lifespan, and improved alertness, awareness and short- to medium-term memory. The primary clinical use of piracetam is to protect the brain from damage caused by hypoxia and aid recovery, it is also used to stem memory loss caused by physical injury and chemical poisoning. Some studies have found that piracetam may be useful in the treatment of ischemic stroke. Several studies have also found that the drug is an effective treatment for myoclonus, a condition that can affect Alzheimer’s patients. Trials showed that piracetam inhibited myoclonus and significantly improved the patient’s quality of life.

Side effects may include nausea, dizziness and headaches. There are no known contraindications except for patients with hypersensitivity to piracetam. Patients with renal disorders should use piracetam with caution.

Synonyms: C1-871; Pyrrolidone Acetamide; UCB-6215. Chemical Name: 2-(2- Oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)acetamide.

Molecular Formula: C(6)H(10)N(2)O(2)

Molecular Weight: 142.2

Distribution: Piracetam is available most commonly in 400mg, 600mg, 800mg, and 1200mg tablets, and in an oral liquid form. Trade name preparations include Avigilen, Axonyl, Braintop, Cerebroforte, Cerebropan, Cerebrosteril, Cerebryl, Cerepar N, Cetam, Ciclofalina, Cuxabrain, Encetrop, Flavis, Gabacet, Genogris, Geram, Geratam, Memo Puren, Noodis, Nootrop, Nootropyl, Normabrain, Norzetam, Novocetam, Pirabene, Piracebral, Piracetrop, Psycoton and Sinapsan. Notes: While some of the generic forms of piracetam may be  acceptable, generic piracetam may be a "hit or miss" affair. There are now a growing number of piracetam analogues, including Oxiracetam, Aniracetam, Modiracetam, and Pramiracetam. In all cases with a comparison of mg product to kg body weight, the analogues have been shown in clinical trials to be more potent. Supplies of the analogues tend to be intermittent. Oxiracetam is the industry standard in Europe and when new analogues are developed they are normally compared to Oxiracetam. In all cases however, the analogues are more expensive.