Piracetam: What is it and what is it used for?

What is piracetam?

Piracetam is a pharmaceutically manufactured chemical substance or compound listed as an active ingredient, used in generic and commercial medications, belonging to the line of nootropic drugs with an effect on the central nervous system . (1)

What is piracetam used for?

• Thanks to its mechanism of action, piracetam stabilizes the neuronal membrane and improves the functions involved in cognitive processes such as learning, memory and attention, which have suffered deterioration due to brain pathology . (two)
• It is used to treat:
  • Psycho-organic syndrome such as memory loss , attention disorders and lack of direction. (3)
  • Vertigo and associated balance disorders (does not include dizziness of psychic or vasomotor origin).
  • Cerebral vascular insufficiency, with the exception of ischemic and hemorrhagic events.
  • Dyslexia in combination with measures such as speech therapy.
  • The lack of concentration.
  • Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Alcoholic intoxication syndrome as an adjuvant.
  • cortical myoclonus.
  • Disorders of adaptation to the environment, which accompany states of mental deterioration.

Dosage and routes of administration of piracetam

Piracetam is commonly marketed in tablets of 800 mg , however, depending on the brand name and the manufacturing laboratory, it can be found in other presentations. The route of administration is oral and the informative dosage can be as follows:

• Coadjuvant in alcoholic intoxication syndrome: From 2.4 g to 4.8 g, in 2 or 3 doses per day.
• Vertigo: From 2.4 to 4.8 g/day divided into 2 or 3 doses.
• Treatment of dyslexia and learning disorders in children 8-13 years of age: 3.2 g/day in two divided doses for the time indicated by the doctor.
• Myoclonus of cortical origin: Start with 7.2 g per day, then increase by 4.8 g/day every 3 to 4 days up to a maximum of 24 g per day, divided into two or three doses.

What products contain piracetam?

Some of the medicines that contain piracetam are:

• Nootropil®
• Alertol®
• Noostan®
• Brainox®

Nootropil®

• Nootropil® is the brand name for an active ingredient called piracetam , a nootropic chemical compound.
• It is used in the treatment of attention and memory disorders, difficulties in daily activity and adaptation to the environment.
• If you need more information about this drug, see Nootropil: What is it and what is it for? .

Alertol®

• Alertol® is a synthetic medicine whose main component is piracetam, with an effect on the central nervous system.
• It is indicated in the symptomatic treatment of psycho-organic syndrome , auxiliary in cerebral vascular insufficiency and its functional manifestations.

Noostan®

• Noostan® is made from an active ingredient called piracetam , a chemical compound with no sedative or psychostimulant effects in 800 mg tablets.
• It is indicated to treat cortical myoclonus in association with other anticonvulsants and in the supportive treatment of cognitive disorders.

Brainox®

• Breinox® is a nootropic drug that uses piracetam as an active ingredient, usually presented in 800 mg tablets.
• It is indicated in the treatment of attention and memory disorders , difficulties in daily activity and adaptation to the environment.

Piracetam Side Effects

Pharmacological therapy with piracetam can cause some of the following adverse effects in a certain patient population:

• Possible adverse reactions due to contact with any component of the formula.
• Agitation, irritability and sleep disorders .
• Nervousness.
• Drowsiness.
• depression .
• Asthenia.
• hyperactivity

Important: If any of these symptoms or other symptoms not included in the list appear during treatment with this drug, please stop using it and consult your doctor .

Contraindications and warnings of piracetam

The use of piracetam is contraindicated in the following circumstances:

• Hypersensitivity to any of the formula’s components.
• Patients with cerebral hemorrhage.
• Patients with terminal renal insufficiency.
• During the pregnancy period.
• During breastfeeding .
• In the patient under 18 years of age.
• If the patient shows signs of dementia (Huntington’s disease).

You should know: Provide all the information about your medical history to your doctor, before starting treatment with this medicine.

Avoid if you have:

• History of hypersensitivity to piracetam.
• Hemostasis problems, major surgery and severe bleeding.
• Renal disease.

Warnings:

• Pharmaceutical products such as piracetam are delicate to use, so it must be administered with a prescription or prescription.
• Keep this medicine out of the reach of children.
• Notify your doctor if you are being medicated with drugs for other pathologies.
• The administration of this medication requires medical supervision.
• Store this drug in a cool, dry place.