Piracetam
Description
Piracetam is a medicine that acts on your brain and nervous system. It is used to treat Alzheimer's disease (a progressive disorder that destroys memory and other important mental functions), Parkinsonism (tremors, and involuntary movements) caused by damage/shrinking of the brain in old age. It is also used to treat stroke (paralysis of the face, arms, and legs) which causes difficulty in speaking, walking and understanding. It improves blood and oxygen supply to your brain and rejuvenates the cells to normal functioning.
Piracetam has some common side effects like nervousness, weight gain, sleeplessness, dizziness and nausea. These side effects may subside by themselves. Consult your doctor if they bother you or worsen. Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to it. Avoid driving vehicles or operating machines after taking this medicine as can affect your concentration.
Piracetam is available in tablets, capsules, syrup, suspension, granules and injection forms. The oral forms of this medicine can be taken with or without food. Take this medicine at the same time every day to maintain a constant level in your blood. Do not take more than the prescribed dose. Complete the treatment even if you feel better after taking a few doses. Avoid sudden discontinuation of this medicine as it may lead to relapse of your condition. Piracetam injection/infusion is administered by a qualified healthcare professional in a hospital setting.
Piracetam may not be suitable for all people. Inform your doctor if you have a bleeding disorder, mental health conditions, heart problems, kidney problems, or undergoing any surgery. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking this medicine.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Piracetam
- Difficulty in breathing
- Swelling of face, lips, eyelids, tongue, hands and feet
- Bleeding and bruising
- Agitation and anxiety
- Weakness
- Weight gain
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Skin rash
- Nervousness
- Sleeplessnes
- Dizziness
- Nausea
Uses of Piracetam
What is it prescribed for?
- Alzheimer's disease
- Parkinson's disease
- Cerebrovascular accident
- Cognitive enhancer
- Dyslexia
- Cortical myoclonus
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe time taken by Piracetam to show its effect is subjective to dose and route of administration.
- Duration of effectThe duration of action of Piracetam is not known.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported for Piracetam.
- Usage in pregnancy?Piracetam is not recommended for use in pregnancy. Consult your doctor before using this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Piracetam is not recommended for use in your breastfeeding as this medicine is excreted through breast milk which could harm your baby. Hence, consult your doctor before using this medicine.
Allergy
Avoid taking Piracetam if you are allergic to it. Serious allergic reactions to this medicine are rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Kidney disease
Piracetam is not recommended for use if you have severe kidney problems as it may worsen your condition.
Cerebral hemorrhage
Cerebral haemorrhage is uncontrolled bleeding in the brain. It can occur due to a leak in blood vessels. Piracetam is not recommended for use if you have a history of localized bleeding in your brain. It may increase the risk of worsening or relapsing of haemorrhage.
Huntington's disease
Huntington's disease is an inherited condition in which the nerve cells break down and impaired your ability to think and move. Piracetam is not recommended for use if you have this condition as it can worsen your condition.
Gastrointestinal ulcers
Gastrointestinal ulcers are painful open sores developed by acid on the lining of the food pipe, stomach and intestine. Piracetam is not recommended for use if you have stomach or intestinal ulcers as it can worsen the internal bleeding.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Piracetam is not recommended for use in pregnancy. Consult your doctor before using this medicine.
Breast-feeding
Piracetam is not recommended for use in your breastfeeding as this medicine is excreted through breast milk which could harm your baby. Hence, consult your doctor before using this medicine.
General warnings
Abrupt withdrawal
Piracetam should not be discontinued abruptly as it may cause withdrawal symptoms such as a headache, anxiety, seizures (abnormal behaviour and uncontrolled movements of body), etc. Your doctor may suggest an appropriate regimen to gradually stop the treatment.
Kidney disease
Use Piracetam with caution if you have a kidney problem as this medicine is filtered and removed through the kidney, it may accumulate and increase the risk of kidney damage. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine or prescribe a suitable alternative based on your clinical condition.
Heart diseases
Use Piracetam with caution if you have heart conditions like heart attack, cardiac arrest (sudden loss of heartbeat), stroke (insufficient blood supply to the brain), high blood pressure, etc., due to the increased risk of severe side effects. Your doctor may suggest tests to closely monitor your heart functioning and vital signs based on your clinical condition.
Elderly
Use Piracetam with caution in old people due to increased risk of serious side effects.
Surgery
Inform your doctor that you are using Piracetam if you have to undergo surgery as it may increase bleeding.
Driving or operating machines
Piracetam may cause drowsiness in some people. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness such as driving vehicles or operating machines during the treatment with this medicine.
Missed Dose
Oral forms (tablet/capsule/syrup/suspension/granules): Do not skip any dose of Piracetam. If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed one.
Injection: Since Piracetam is administered in the hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of missing a dose is very low.
Overdose
Oral forms (tablet/capsule/syrup/suspension/granules): Never take more than the prescribed dose of Piracetam. Seek emergency medical attention in case of an overdose, for further guidance.
Injection: Since Piracetam is administered in the hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the chances of an overdose are very low. However, your doctor will take measures if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Warfarin
Aspirin
Thyroxine
Disease interactions
Kidney disease
Use Piracetam with caution if you have a kidney problem as this medicine is filtered and excreted through your kidneys. Taking this medication with pre-existing kidney problems lead to its accumulation and increase the risk of kidney damage. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine or prescribe a suitable alternative based on your clinical condition.
Bleeding disorders
Use Piracetam with extreme caution if you have bleeding disorders as it can further worsen your condition. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine or prescribe a suitable alternative based on your clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Oral forms (tablet/capsule/syrup/suspension/granules): Take Piracetam with or without food as instructed by your doctor. Avoid taking more than the prescribed dose or for a longer duration than that recommended by your doctor.
Injection: Piracetam is administered by a qualified healthcare professional in a hospital setting.
Your doctor will determine the dose and duration of treatment depending on the severity of your health condition.
Inform your doctor if you experience any undesirable effects after taking this medicine.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Piracetam works by increasing the level of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in brain and muscle functioning. Acetylcholine improves the communication between the nerves and the other cells which improve cognitive functions like memory and decision making. It also facilities microcirculation in blood vessels and improves blood flow.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Nootropics, Cognitive enhancers, Anti-Alzheimer medicine, Antiparkinson agents
Schedule
Schedule H
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P, T. and A, P., 2021. [Cognitive enhancement effect of piracetam in patients with mild cognitive impairment and dementia]. [online] PubMed. Available at: < [Accessed 24 September 2021].
E-lactancia.org. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 27 September 2021].
Bfarm.de. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 27 September 2021].
Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Piracetam. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 21 October 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 25 Oct 2021
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.