Piracetam

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Image:Piracetam.png Piracetam
2-oxo-1-pyrrolidineacetamide
CAS number 7491-74-9	ATC code N06BX03
Chemical formula	C₆H₁₀N₂O₂
Molecular weight	142.156 g/mol
Bioavailability	~100 %
Metabolism	None
Elimination half-life	4-5 hours
Excretion	Urinary
Pregnancy category	?
Legal status	UK: POM; legal to import Orphan drug
Routes of administration	Oral and parenteral

Piracetam (brand name: Nootropil®, Myocalm®), is a cerebral function regulating drug which is claimed to be able to enhance cognition as well as slow down brain aging. Piracetam's chemical name is 2-oxo-pyrrolidone, or 2-oxo-1-pyrrolidine acetamide. Piracetam is a cyclic derivative of GABA . It is one of the racetams, and is similar to the amino acid pyroglutamate. Though rare in the United States, Piracetam is commonly prescribed in Europe for a variety of conditions.

1 Effects
2 Mechanisms of action
3 History
4 Approval and usage
5 Dosage
6 References
7 See also
8 External links

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Effects

Several meta-reviews of literature on Piracetam indicate that Piracetam increases performance on a variety of cognitive tasks among dyslexic children, which may reflect improvements in intelligence or cross-hemispheric communication rather than a specific improvement in whatever causes dyslexia. Piracetam also seems to inhibit brain damage caused by a variety of factors including hypoxia and excessive alcohol consumption.

Piracetam has been studied in an extensive number of clinical experiments, mostly focusing on dyslexic children, and some believe that understanding the mechanism it works through can teach us about the role of inter-hemispheric communication in the brain.

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Mechanisms of action

The mechanisms of action of Piracetam are quite broad. Piracetam is understood to work by stimulating the cerebral cortex as well as by increasing the rate of metabolism and the energy levels of neurons. It possibly facilitates movement of information between the brain's two hemispheres via the corpus callosum, and improves the function of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine via muscarinic cholinergic (ACh) receptors which are implicated in memory processes. Furthermore, Piracetam may have an effect on NMDA glutamate receptors which are involved with learning and memory processes. Finally, Piracetam may exert its global effect on brain neurotransmission via modulation of ion channels (i.e., Ca2+, K+).

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History

Piracetam was first synthesized in 1964 by scientists at the Belgian pharmaceutical company UCB led by Dr Corneliu E. Giurgea. The drug was the first of the so-called nootropics, that is, substances which purportedly enhance mental performance. The term nootropic was coined by Giurgea. Nootropil was launched clinically by UCB in the early 1970s and remains an important product of that company in Europe.

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Approval and usage

Piracetam has not been approved by the FDA for use in the United States, but it is legal to use and import piracetam on a personal use basis. It is primarily used in Europe. Piracetam is legal to import in the United Kingdom for personal use as are other prescription drugs.

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Dosage

Piracetam is usually supplied in 800mg tablets. As much of its use is not doctor-approved, dosages vary from person to person. Some literature recommends an 'attack dose' of 1600mg to 2400mg for the first two days of use in those seeking cognitive enhancement effects. Some sources say that one tablet should be taken three times daily, giving a dosage of 2400mg. It is recommended that one starts with an 800mg dose and then try an attack dose if it is felt necessary. Dosages of up to 4800mg are thought to be safe, and few side-effects occur even at relatively high doses.

In the US, and possibly other countries in which Piracetam is unregulated, it is often sold in bulk as a powder. It is up to the user to decide how they want to ingest said powder; orange juice is frequently cited as a good mixer to mask the taste.

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