Piracetam

Piracetam uses

• Pharmacological action
• Pharmacokinetics
• Why is Piracetam prescribed?
• Dosage and administration
• Piracetam side effects, adverse reactions
• Piracetam contraindications
• Using during pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Special instructions
• Piracetam drug interactions
• Piracetam in case of emergency / overdose
• Piracetam reviews

Pharmacological action

Piracetam is a nootropic drugs. This medication has a positive effect on metabolism and blood circulation of the brain. It increases glucose utilization, improves the course of metabolic processes, improves microcirculation in the ischemic areas, and inhibits the aggregation of activated platelets. Piracetam has a protective effect for brain damage caused by hypoxia, intoxication, an electric shock. This drug improves the integrative activity of the brain. Piracetam does not have a sedative and stimulating effect.

Pharmacokinetics

Piracetam after oral administration is quickly and almost completely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. C_max in plasma is reached after about 30 minutes, in the cerebrospinal fluid in 2-8 hours. The apparent V_d is 0.6 L / kg. Piracetam does not bind to plasma proteins.

This medication distributed in all organs and tissues, crosses the blood-brain barrier and placental barrier. Piracetam selectively accumulates in the tissues of the cerebral cortex, predominantly in the frontal, parietal and occipital lobes, the cerebellum and basal ganglia.

T_1/2 from plasma is 4-5 hours, from cerebrospinal fluid is 6-8 hours. This drug excreted by the kidneys unchanged. In renal insufficiency T_1/2 is increases.

Why is Piracetam prescribed?

Memory disturbances, dizziness, decreased concentration, emotional lability, dementia due to cerebrovascular events, brain injury, Alzheimer's disease, in old age; comatose state of vascular, traumatic or toxic origin; treatment withdrawal and psychoorganic syndrome in chronic alcoholism; learning disorders in children not related to inadequate training or the peculiarities of family environment (as part of combination therapy); sickle cell anemia (as part of combination therapy).

Dosage and administration

Oral for adults 30-160 mg / kg in 2-4 doses. Duration of treatment is 6-8 weeks.

If necessary, Piracetam use IM or IV at an initial dose of 10 g / day. At IV administration to patients in critical condition daily dose may reach 12 g. After clinical improvement the dose is gradually reduced and transferred to an oral administration.

For children the oral dose is 30-50 mg / kg in 2-3 doses. The treatment should be continued for at least 3 weeks.

Piracetam side effects, adverse reactions

Digestive system: rarely - dyspeptic symptoms, abdominal pain.

CNS: rarely - nervousness, agitation, irritability, anxiety, insomnia, dizziness, headache, tremor, in some cases - weakness, drowsiness.

Other: increased sexual activity.

Piracetam contraindications

Hemorrhagic stroke, severe renal impairment, hypersensitivity to Piracetam.

Using during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Adequate and well-controlled studies safety of Piracetam during pregnancy has not been carried out. Piracetam use is possible only in cases where the intended benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the fetus.

Piracetam apparently passes into breast milk. If necessary use during lactation should solve the issue of termination of breastfeeding.

In experimental studies in animals it was showed no adverse effects of Piracetam on the fetus.

Special instructions

Piracetam use with careful in patients with severe hemostasis disorders, surgery for large and heavy bleeding; with renal insufficiency.

It is recommended constant monitoring of indicators of kidney function.

In the case of sleep disorders is recommended to cancel an evening reception of Piracetam, attaching the dose to day reception.

Piracetam drug interactions

Simultaneous administration of Piracetam with: