Nootropic drugs are popularly called "smart" pills. After all, such drugs improve the cognitive abilities of the brain. They activate learning, improve memory. The first nootropic synthesized in 1963 was the drug Piracetam. During the study of the drug, scientists have confirmed that the tool improves mental abilities, improves memory, performance. Today, many drugs have been developed with a similar effect. These are the new generation nootropics. We’ll talk about them.
Mechanism of action
Nootropics of a new generation do not cause dependence in humans. In addition, they do not provoke psychomotor agitation. Their reception does not cause exhaustion of physical capabilities.
Nootropic drugs have the following effects on the body:
- Psychostimulant.
- Sedative
- Antiastenic (reduce a person’s feeling of lethargy, weakness).
- Antidepressant.
- Antiepileptic.
- Nootropic (affect cortical functions, resulting in improved speech, thinking, attention).
- Mnemotropic (increase learning, improve memory).
- Adaptogenic (stimulate the body's ability to withstand various harmful effects).
- Antiparkinsonian.
- Vasovegetative (improve blood supply to the brain, as a result of which the patient gets rid of dizziness, headache and other disorders).
- Antidiscinetic.
- They increase clarity of consciousness and the level of wakefulness.
Drug classification
This class includes many substances, various pharmacological groups that positively affect the functioning of nerve cells, contribute to the improvement of their structure.
In medicine, the following classification of these drugs is accepted:
1. Medicines that improve metabolic processes . This is an extensive group containing effective nootropics. List of such drugs:
- Piracetam, Phenylpiracetam, Pramiracetam.
- "Phenibut", "Picamilon", "Aminalon", "Hopantenic acid".
- Pantogam.
- "Pyritinol".
- "Centrophenoxin", "Acefen."
- “Cerebrolysin”, “Actovegin”, “Glycine”.
- Ginseng Extract, Vitamin E, Folic Acid, Vitamin B 15 .
- "Oxymethylethylpyridine succinate."
2. Vasotropic drugs . These nootropics are distinguished by a positive effect on the vessels. List of the most popular funds:
- "Vinpocetine."
- "Cinnarizine."
- "Xanthinol nicotinate."
- Pentoxifylline.
- Instenon.
3. Nootropics that stimulate learning processes and improve memory :
- Amiridin, Choline, Galantamine.
- "Corticotropin."
- enkephalins, endorphins.
Indications for use
Like any medication, a new generation of nootropics should be prescribed by a doctor. They are mainly used for the following pathologies:
- Dementia of various nature (senile, vascular).
- Chronic cerebrovascular insufficiency.
- Neuroinfection.
- The consequences of impaired cerebral circulation.
- Intoxication of the body.
- Psycho-organic syndrome, in which the general activity decreases, concentration of attention, memory is impaired.
- Cortical myoclonus.
- Chronic alcoholism (to combat encephalopathy, withdrawal symptoms, psycho-organic syndromes).
- Dizziness (the exception is pathology provoked by a psychic factor or vasomotor).
- Reduced mental performance.
- Depressive, neurotic syndromes.
- VSD.
- Head injuries.
- Neurosis-like disorders.
- Hyperkinesis.
- Ischemic stroke.
- Stuttering.
- Sleep disturbance.
- Urination disorder.
- Migraine.
Features of the use of drugs for children
From the foregoing, we can conclude that the nootropics of the latest generation are quite effective. However, despite this, they have significant disadvantages. This is what casts doubt on the possibility of their widespread use in pediatrics.
Nootropics for children are good in case of overcoming quite serious pathologies. For example, the internal administration of the drug “Piracetam” perfectly removes from an alcoholic, narcotic or other coma.
However, the use of such funds for children with less serious conditions who attend kindergarten, school, learn lessons, participate in games, can do a disservice.
After all, powerful nootropics for children can cause:
- insomnia
- increased irritability.
Such a reaction is quite natural. Because drugs speed up the metabolism in the brain. In some pathological conditions, this is necessary. But kids can endure the effects of the drug quite hard. Therefore, it is highly not recommended to use nootropics on their own, without appointing a pediatrician.
In pediatrics, nootropics are prescribed for the following conditions of the child:
- developmental delay of the baby (mental, speech);
- mental retardation;
- Cerebral palsy;
- attention deficit disorder;
- consequences of damage to the nervous system during childbirth.
Today, quite effective drugs have been developed that fully take into account the characteristics of the baby's body. An excellent remedy for a child is the Pantogam medicine. It has a mild effect, and does not have a detrimental effect on mental activity, sleep.
Contraindications
Treatment with nootropics, despite its high effectiveness, may be prohibited for factors such as:
- individual hypersensitivity to the drug or active substance;
- acute period of hemorrhagic stroke (with hemorrhage in the brain);
- Huntington's chorea;
- severe renal impairment;
- pregnancy;
- lactation.
Side effects
Nootropics of the latest generation rarely cause unpleasant reactions. However, some patients may experience the following adverse events:
- Headache, anxiety, drowsiness, irritability, sleep disturbance.
- Blood pressure jumps.
- Strengthening the symptoms of coronary insufficiency (found in patients in the elderly and extremely rare).
- Discomfort in the stomach, nausea, constipation or diarrhea.
- Allergic manifestations.
- Enhanced psychopathological symptoms.
Consider the new generation of nootropics, which are widely used in medical practice.
The drug "Piracetam"
Such a medicine is available in the form of tablets or solution. This tool has a positive effect on metabolic processes in the brain, blood circulation. As a result of its intake, resistance to hypoxia, the effects of negative toxic substances increases. The patient's memory improves significantly, and the ability to learn increases.
Medication can cause standard side effects. As a rule, they are observed in elderly people, in case they increase the recommended dosages. Patients with a tendency to hemorrhage, impaired hemostasis should use this nootropic extremely carefully.
The price of the medicine in tablet form No. 60 is 28.61 rubles.
The drug "Vinpocetine"
An effective remedy improves microcirculation in the vessels of the brain, promotes increased consumption of oxygen, glucose by the brain tissue. This tool is quite effectively used in neurology. It is also in demand in ophthalmology. Use it to treat chronic retinal vascular pathologies. Prescribe the drug "Vinpocetine" to restore hearing acuity in patients. Quite effective nootropic.
The price of medication in the form of tablets No. 50 is approximately 58 rubles.
Means "Phenibut"
Antihypoxic and antiamnestic effects dominate in this drug. The medicine improves memory, stimulates learning processes, and improves performance. Means "Phenibut" perfectly eliminates fear, anxiety, psycho-emotional stress. The action of anticonvulsant drugs and sleeping pills this drug lengthens.
It is used with caution in patients suffering from gastrointestinal diseases, since it has an irritating effect on the mucous membrane.
The medicine "Glycine"
The drug helps to improve metabolism in the brain and muscles. The medicine has a sedative effect. According to the instructions, the tablet must be absorbed under the tongue.
The medicine is prescribed to eliminate irritability, depression. The drug is in demand for the treatment of chronic alcoholism.
The medicine "Actovegin"
This product contains only physiological substances. The drug increases resistance to hypoxia, accelerates the utilization of glucose.
A medicine is prescribed for ischemic and the consequences of a hemorrhagic stroke, traumatic brain injury. It is in demand in the fight against diabetic neuropathy, burns, peripheral circulation disorders. It is used for trophic pathologies in order to accelerate wound healing.
It is generally well tolerated. But some patients may experience undesirable reactions, which were discussed above. For violations in carbohydrate metabolism, this drug is not used, because it contains sucrose.
The drug "Pantogam"
The medicine is able to activate mental activity, normalize behavioral reactions, and increase working capacity. Actively promotes brain enrichment with oxygen.
This tool is approved for use by children from 1 year. It is used for babies suffering from cognitive disorders. Mainly with memory impairment, speech delay, hyperactivity syndrome.
The average cost of the drug is 358 rubles.
List of the best nootropics
Today, there is simply a huge list of effective medicines. In addition, periodically, new drugs appear on the pharmacological market. Indeed, the development of the most effective tools is ongoing.
If we talk about the best nootropics, then doctors allocate the following medications:
- "Piracetam" (and today it belongs to the rank of highly effective drugs).
- Nootropil.
- "Phenotropil".
- "Glycine".
- Meclofenoxate.
- "Cerebrolysin."
- Aminalon.
- "Bemitil."
- Biotredin.
- "Vinpocetine."
Patient opinions
From the above, it is quite clear how the nootropic is positioned by the instructions for use. Reviews of patients who have tested the medicine on themselves, largely confirm the effective effect on the body.
A special place is occupied by the same old drug "Piracetam". It is prescribed for many pathologies, especially it is in demand after head injuries. Patients who adhere to the course of treatment prescribed by the doctor notice that unpleasant phenomena, such as migraine, dizziness, are eliminated under the influence of the medicine.
Excellent drugs, especially for diseases of the IRR, are considered drugs "Cinarizine", "Vinpocetine." They eliminate such undesirable symptoms as persistent dizziness, bluish nail plates, chilling limbs and many others. However, in some patients, adverse reactions can also provoke.
Despite this, it is the patients who assure that nootropic drugs are able to "just bring back to life!" Therefore, love yourself, take care of your health and take the medicines prescribed by your doctor!