Nootropil – composition, action, dosage, side effects, price, substitutes

Proven content

Nootropil is a drug used to treat cognitive impairment of the brain. It works by stimulating the metabolism in the central nervous system. The active substance of Nootropil is piracetam. Nootropil can be purchased in stationary pharmacies only with a prescription. What are the indications and contraindications for the use of Nootropil? Can its use have side effects? When should you not use this medication, and will taking other medications affect its operation and effectiveness?

Nootropil – general characteristics of the drug

Nootropil is a drug used to treat cognitive impairment of the brain. It can be purchased only in stationary pharmacies with a prescription. It comes in the form of coated tablets or an oral solution.

The active substance of Nootropil is piracetam. Nootropil may contain various concentrations of the active substance and is available in the following packages:

1. coated tablets 1,2 g, 20 pieces;
2. coated tablets 1,2 g, 60 pieces;
3. coated tablets 800 mg, 30 pieces;
4. coated tablets 800 mg, 90 pieces;
5. oral solution 20%, bottle 150 ml;
6. oral solution 33%, bottle of 125 ml.

Nootropil is a drug from the group of nootropic drugs. It reduces blood viscosity, increases blood flow in the brain without vasodilating effects, and increases oxygen utilization and glucose consumption in ischemic brain tissue.

Nootropil film-coated tablets are white, oblong and divisible. They are labeled N / N. By contrast, Nootropil in oral solution is a clear liquid, ranging from colorless to very light brown.

The entity responsible for the production and distribution of Nootropil is UCB Pharma SA. The distributor of Nootropil in Poland is UCB Pharma Sp. z o. o. has been present on the market since 1928. The seat of the company is invariably in Brussels, and for over 30 years the company has been operating in Poland, with an office located in Warsaw and medical representatives in all regions of Poland. The company is an international and biopharmaceutical company that is present in the markets of around 40 countries around the world, focusing its activities on serious diseases.

What is worth knowing about the nervous system? Check: CNS – structure and functions

Nootropil – composition and action of the drug

The main ingredient of Nootropil, which is responsible for its healing properties, is piracetam. 1 film-coated tablet contains 800 mg or 1200 mg of piracetam and 1 ml of oral solution contains 200 mg or 333 mg of piracetam.

Piracetam is a nootropic drug, that is, a drug that improves cognition, and in particular, memory, creativity, or motivation in healthy people.

The mechanism of action of the active substance of Nootropil it consists in binding to the polar group of phospholipid membranes of cells, which initiates the process of reconstructing the membrane structure by creating mobile drug molecules and phospholipids. This likely improves membrane stability so that membrane or transmembrane proteins maintain or regain the appropriate three-dimensional structure to perform their functions.

The action of piracetam primarily affects the nerve cells and the vascular system. The consequence of its action are increased processes of signal transmission by neurons. In addition, this substance increases the use of oxygen and glucose, facilitates the synthesis of high-energy compounds, increases the energy reserve, and also accelerates the synthesis of neurotransmitters.

The above-mentioned processes are primarily responsible for the improvement of cognitive processes, such as learning, memory, attention and awareness.

An extremely important effect of piracetam’s action is the prevention of changes in brain activity that arise as a result of hypoxia, poisoning or electroconvulsive therapy.

After administration, piracetam is well absorbed with maximum serum concentration being reached after one hour. In turn, in the cerebrospinal fluid, the maximum concentration is reached about 5 hours after drug administration. 80–100% of it is excreted by the kidneys in the process of glomerular filtration.

Auxiliary components of Nootropil in coated tablets are: macrogol 6000, colloidal anhydrous silica, magnesium stearate, croscarmellose sodium, Opadry Y-1-7000 white (hypromellose, titanium dioxide (E171), macrogol 400), Opadry OY-S-29019 clear (hypromellose, macrogol 6000).

Auxiliary components of Nootropil in oral solution are: glycerol 85%, sodium saccharin, sodium acetate trihydrate, methyl parahydroxybenzoate (E218), propyl parahydroxybenzoate (E216), apricot flavor 52247 A (contains benzyl alcohol, bergamot oil (debergaptenized), propylene glycol, ethanol (E 1520) ), caramel flavor 052929 A7 (contains benzyl alcohol, propylene glycol (E 1520), ethanol, anise alcohol), glacial acetic acid and purified water.

What ailments most often affect the nervous system? Check: Nervous system – structure and ailments

Nootropil – indications for use

The drug Nootropil works primarily on the nervous system. The indications for its use are:

1. treatment of myoclonus of cortical origin (short, sudden (“lightning”) muscle spasms in one or more limbs or trunk);
2. treatment of dyslexic disorders in children simultaneously with speech therapy;
3. the treatment of disorders of cognitive processes such as memory, thinking, orientation, comprehension, counting, learning, language and evaluation caused by brain disease (excluding Alzheimer’s disease);
4. treatment of vertigo.

What is worth knowing about a child’s cognitive processes? Check: Cognitive processes in a child – division and characteristics. Cognitive dysfunction

Nootropil – contraindications to the use of the drug

The drug Nootropil, despite its effectiveness in the treatment of nervous system disorders, cannot be used by every patient struggling with this type of ailments.

Contraindications to the use of Nootropil are:

1. hypersensitivity to piracetam, other pyrrolidone derivatives or to any of the excipients;
2. intracerebral bleeding;
3. end-stage renal failure;
4. pląsawica Huntingtona.

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Nootropil – precautions

Before and during the use of Nootropil, follow the precautions included in the package leaflet.

Consult your doctor before using Nootropil if you suffer from:

1. blood clotting disorders or severe haemorrhages;
2. renal dysfunction;
3. old age of the patient;
4. allergy to piracetam, other pyrrolidone derivatives or to excipients;
5. Huntington’s chorea disease.

In addition, due to the effect of piracetam on platelet aggregation, caution should be exercised in people undergoing major surgical procedures and in people with severe hemorrhages, the risk of bleeding, e.g. in gastrointestinal ulcer disease, with blood coagulation disorders, with a history of hemorrhagic stroke, major surgery, including dental procedures, using anticoagulants or platelet aggregation inhibitors, including low doses of acetylsalicylic acid.

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Nootropil – dosage and method of use

Always use Nootropil exactly as described in the package leaflet or as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.

Before taking Nootropil, it is worth determining how much active substance is in a tablet or a milliliter of solution:

1. 800 mg coated tablets have the following mean gram: 0,8 g;
2. A 1200 mg film-coated tablet means: 1,2 g;
3. 1 ml of 200 mg / ml solution equals to grams: 0,2 g;
4. 1 ml of 333 mg / ml solution equals 0,333 g in grammes.

When treating myoclonus of cortical origin, treatment should be started at a dose of 7,2 g of Nootropil per day, increasing the dose by 3 g per day every 4 or 4,8 days, up to a maximum dose of 24 g per day.

Nootropil should be taken in divided doses 2 or 3 times a day. In combination therapy with other antmyoclonic drugs, doses of other drugs should be maintained at the recommended therapeutic doses. If clinical improvement is achieved and it is possible – doses of other drugs should be reduced. In people with myoclonia, symptoms may evolve over time and the doctor should try to reduce the dose or stop the drug every 6 months. To this end, the dose of piracetam should be reduced by 1,2 g every two days to prevent a sudden relapse.

In the case of treatment of dyslexic disorders in children should be used simultaneously with speech therapy 3,2 g of Nootropil per day in 2 divided doses.

In the case of treat vertigo apply 2,4 g of Nootropil per day in 3 divided doses of 0,8 g for 8 weeks.

Nootropil should be taken orally with a little water without chewing the tablet.

How to take medication correctly? Check: How to take medications effectively?

Nootropil – side effects

The drug Nootropil, like any other drug, may cause side effects in patients. It is important to report any suspected adverse reactions after authorization of the medicinal product so that the benefit / risk balance of the medicinal product can be monitored.

The frequency classification of adverse body reactions (ADRs) is based on the following principles: very common (≥1 / 10), common (≥1 / 100 to <1/10), uncommon (≥1 / 1 to <000/1), rare (≥ 100 / 1 to <10 / 000), very rare (<1 / 1), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

Common side effects (1 to 10 in 100 patients):

1. nervousness;
2. hyperkinesia;
3. weight gain.

Uncommon side effects (1 to 10 in 1000 patients):

1. depression;
2. somnolence;
3. tiredness;
4. exhaustion;
5. weakness.

Not known:

1. hemorrhagic disorders;
2. anaphylactoid reactions, hypersensitivity;
3. stimulation;
4. bow;
5. entanglement;
6. hallucinations;
7. headache and dizziness;
8. insomnia;
9. ataxia;
10. balance disorders;
11. itching;
12. hives;
13. diarrhea;
14. vomiting;
15. abdominal pain;
16. skin infection;
17. itching;
18. hives;
19. impaired coordination of the body (ataxia);
20. balance disorders;
21. worsening of epilepsy;
22. Headache;
23. insomnia.

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Nootropil – interactions with other drugs

Before starting treatment with Nootropil, please inform your doctor or pharmacist about all the medicines you are taking or have recently taken. You should also inform what medications the patient plans to take in the near future.

In particular, attention should be paid to the use of the following drugs:

1. thyroid hormones – cases of confusion (disorientation), irritability and insomnia have been reported when the drug is used concomitantly with thyroid hormones T3 + T4;
2. anticoagulants – e.g. acenocoumarol.

The doctor individually assesses the risk of using the drug in the patient.

Which drugs should never be combined with each other? Check: Dangerous interactions

Nootropil and pregnancy and breastfeeding

The use of any medications or dietary supplements during pregnancy requires consultation with the attending physician. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking Nootropil.

There is currently insufficient data on the use of piracetam in pregnant women.

However, the fact is that piracetam is excreted in human milk. Therefore, the use of Nootropil during breastfeeding should be avoided.

What is worth knowing about proper supplementation during pregnancy? Check: Conscious choices. Diet and supplementation in pregnancy

Nootropil — price

Cena leku Nootropil may differ depending on the city in which the preparation will be purchased or the pharmacy chosen by the patient. The price of the product also depends on the size of the package and the concentration of the active substance. Nootropil in any available form is not reimbursed.

1. 30 800 mg coated tablets cost about PLN 20;
2. 90 800 mg coated tablets cost about PLN 40-45;
3. 60 1200 mg coated tablets cost about PLN 45;
4. 100 1200 mg coated tablets cost about PLN 75-80;
5. 150 ml of 20% oral solution costs about PLN 20;
6. 125 ml of 33% oral solution costs about PLN 40-45.

How much money does the average Pole spend on treatment? Check: The Pole is not expected to see a doctor

Nootropil – substitutes

Products that have the same international name and exist in the same form do not have to be substitutes, because the use of a given drug is determined by the content of the active substance, i.e. the dose of the drug.

It should be remembered that even when the dose of the active substance is similar, the patient may not always use the substitute, because he may be allergic to any of the other excipients of the drug.

Therefore, before using a substitute for Nootropil, read the package leaflet or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

The preparations containing the same ingredient as Nootropil and showing similar properties include:

1. Lucetam – coated tablets. 60 tablets of 1200 mg cost about PLN 28-30;
2. MemoniQ – coated tablets. 60 tablets of 1200 mg cost about PLN 25;
3. Memotropil – coated tablets. 60 tablets of 1200 mg cost about PLN 26-28;
4. Memotropil 20% – solution for injection 15 ml of solution for injection 20% costs about PLN 37;
5. Piracetam Espefa – coated tablets. 60 tablets of 1200 mg cost about PLN 35.

When is it worth asking the pharmacy about drug substitutes? Check: Swap when you can