Piracetam refers to the nootropic medical drugs, invented in the 70s of the last century. Despite this, he still holds a leading position because of its effectiveness.
For the treatment of any diseases, doctors recommend using Piracetam, how effective it is, let's look at the article.
Pharmacokinetics and composition of the drug
Medicine Piracetam in the pharmacy can be found in the form:
- capsules with a dosage of 0.4 grams, which in a package 60 pieces;
- tablets with a dosage of 0.2 grams, which are coated with a special coating, in a pack of 120 pieces;
- 20% solution for injections, which is in ampoules of 5 ml each. One pack contains 10 pieces. It consists of piracetam, acetic acid, distilled water and sodium acetate. This ratio makes the drug as effective as possible.
As for capsules and tablets, in addition to the main component of piracetam, stearate, povidone, ethylcellulose, and talc act as auxiliary substances.
Externally, the drug looks like round and rather large capsules of light color with a white powder in the middle, which are enclosed in a gelatinous shell.
The drug is well absorbed, dissolving in the body, actively penetrates the tissue. The maximum amount of active piracetam in plasma is observed one hour after ingestion. It can penetrate the placenta and BBB, perfectly accumulate in the human body.
The medicine reaches the brain tissue only a few hours after administration or injection. The high level of tropism is also indicated by the fact that Piracetam is the most difficult to remove from the cerebrospinal fluid.
While in the body, the drug does not transform, is eliminated by the kidneys in the same form in which it fell. Bioavailability is almost 100%, and this figure does not depend on the form of medication.
Mechanism of action
Speaking about the mechanism of action of Piracetam, it is important to say that it has not been fully studied, but I would like to highlight the following points:
- When taking the drug, glucose overcomes the blood-brain barrier much faster, is better absorbed by all brain cells, especially its cortex.
- The exchange process of nucleic acids in the nerve cells of the body is significantly improved and accelerated.
- Cerebral cholinergic conduction in a patient is enhanced.
- The synthesis of phospholipids and proteins in cells and erythrocytes increases, the cell membranes gradually stabilize.
- Liquid properties of membranes come to normal, which is especially important for elderly patients.
- Lysosomal enzymes are suppressed and free radicals are removed, which protects the cell membranes from damage.
- Significantly increases the energy charge of the body.
- With the constant intake of Piracetam, the brain tissue becomes more stable, which is especially noticeable during a lack of oxygen or infection.
- The synthesis of nuclear RNA in the brain is enhanced.
Given such a strong positive effect on the body, it is not necessary to speak about the benefits of the drug.
What is Piracetam prescribed by narcologists, neurologists and psychiatrists
Since Piracetam has a number of positive properties, it is often used in neuralgia, psychiatry, and even narcology. Each of the experts appoints him with a specific purpose.
Neuralgia is used for:
- various pathologies of cerebral vessels, especially if vascular insufficiency is manifested;
- if, as a result of research, it has been observed that blood circulation in the brain is impaired or simply bad;
- after a coma, severe body poisoning or head injury;
- in diseases of the nervous system, which lead to a decrease in intellectual abilities and memory;
- to alleviate Alzheimer's disease.
Psychiatrists prescribed the drug in such cases:
- depressive states of varying complexity of neurotic nature with signs of inhibition;
- schizophrenia with a sluggish apathetic effect and atrophic processes;
- various mental disorders in combination with other components;
- epileptic syndrome;
- to reduce the risk of complications and adverse reactions with poor tolerance to neuroleptics.
Narcologists use the drug:
- to remove withdrawal and delirious states in case of alcohol dependence, drug addiction or severe toxic poisoning of the body;
- with chronic alcohol dependence with regular violations of mental activity.
In addition to these areas, Piracetam is often prescribed by pediatricians to facilitate the learning process, during particular mental stress.
Newborns are often recommended to drink away the course if there were damage to the brain during childbirth, with oligophrenia, cerebral palsy, as well as with a delay in mental development.
Dosage and treatment
Regardless of the release form, Piracetam is taken orally as an intravenous injection or tablet. Of course, the dosage, as well as the duration of drug treatment, can only be determined by the doctor, based on the condition and diagnosis. Reception should be 20 minutes before meals.
Based on the recommendations for the reception, which indicates the manufacturer in the instructions, the dosage is as follows:
If the disease is chronic, then you must first take 1200 mg of the drug, divided by 3 times, gradually increase the dose to 3200 mg per day. As soon as you feel better, gradually reduce the amount until you reach 400 mg per day.- Injections refer to more radical methods of treatment, it is extremely undesirable to prescribe them yourself. Doctors recommend starting Piracetam intramuscularly with 2-4 g per day, the next day the dosage will increase to 4-6 g. The duration of the course will be determined by a specialist.
- Intravenous drug is administered mainly in ischemic stroke in the form of a dropper. The dosage is 4-12 g per day for 2-4 weeks.
If the disease is chronic, then you must first take 1200 mg of the drug, divided by 3 times, gradually increase the dose to 3200 mg per day. As soon as you feel better, gradually reduce the amount until you reach 400 mg per day.For the reception of children provided only pills. The dosage for babies from 1 to 5 years is 800 mg per day, from 5 to 16 - maximum 1600 mg, divided into three doses.
What can lead overdose
An overdose of the drug can occur with a different amount of Piracetam drunk, that is why it is very important to consult a doctor before taking the drug. At this time, symptoms such as irritability, tremor and insomnia are observed.
Elderly patients who have heart problems may experience worsening heart failure.
If the overdose is significant, you need to wash the stomach and drink activated charcoal.
special instructions
While taking the drug, it is important to constantly monitor the work of the kidneys and liver, since Piracetam can affect them, especially in children and older patients.
In addition, there is an increased excitability of the nervous system and insomnia, because try the last time to take a pill no later than 17-18 hours. In this case, you can easily fall asleep and just do not notice this unpleasant side effect.
During the treatment of cortical myoclonus it is forbidden to abruptly cancel Piracetam, it threatens to resume attacks with a new force.
Alcohol can dramatically reduce or increase the level of action of the drug, because taking a pill is better 12 hours after ingestion of alcohol, when it is completely out of the body. If a narcologist prescribes it to relieve a severe hangover syndrome, then you must first restore water balance, relieve headache with Aspirin, remove toxins with several tablets of Activated Carbon.
Pregnancy, lactation and childhood
During pregnancy, Piracetam is prescribed only when the benefit of the drug to the mother is more important than its effect on the fetus. In normal cases, throughout the entire period of childbearing, the drug is not prescribed due to the fact that it is able to penetrate the placenta, accumulate in the baby’s brain, and lead to a nervous breakdown of an unborn child.
During lactation it is also not worth drinking Piracetam, because it penetrates into breast milk and is passed to the baby. In such a situation, the mother needs to choose one of the options: either to stop breastfeeding for a while, or not to take medicine during this period of life.
In childhood, you can take pills from 1 year old, but only as prescribed by a doctor and under his constant supervision.
Nootropil or Piracetam: which is better?
Nootropil and Piracetam have the same active ingredient piracetam, which provides the result. In essence, this is the same thing, just made by different manufacturers: Piracetam is produced by Russian pharmaceutical companies, and Nootropil is made in Belgium, because it is more expensive. If you compare the price, the domestic drug will cost 3 times cheaper than the imported one. Should I just overpay for a newer name, you decide.
Another difference is the amount of active substance in one tablet, so be careful when taking it, read the instructions with instructions.
There are some differences in the composition of the shell and auxiliary substances, but they are insignificant and can in no way affect the final result.
