GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
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.
ROLE FOR ANTI-AGING:
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/CONTRAINDICATIONS:
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.
PHARMACOLOGY: Synonyms:
Acetamide; UCB-6215. Chemical Name: 2-(2-
Oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)acetamide.
Molecular Formula:
Molecular Weight:
Distribution:
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.
