Many of those who are familiar with impaired cerebral circulation, impaired memory or other brain functions, took the drug "Piracetam". From what he still helps, they know, however, not all. And this is a long-known nootropic drug that helps with many disorders in the brain. It is prescribed to the elderly as a prophylaxis, to children to improve memory and behavior correction, to alcoholics and drug addicts in the treatment of withdrawal symptoms. The drug is quite harmless and well tolerated. But self-medication is still dangerous for them, so those who try to take "Piracetam" on the advice of friends should know everything about contraindications and side effects of the drug. And it is better to consult a doctor, since this medicine is not a panacea, and it is quite possible that you need another drug for treatment, and not Piracetam.
Drug action
1. The active substance of the drug reduces blood viscosity and thereby improves blood circulation and microcirculation.
2. "Piracetam" accelerates the spread of nerve impulses in the brain and improves communication between the hemispheres.
3. Improves memory, concentration and mental performance.
4. Restores brain function after electroshock, intoxication and hypoxia, helps with traumatic brain injury.
5. Improves the metabolism in the brain, especially the absorption and withdrawal of glucose by it, stimulates redox processes.
6. Increases the content of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain.
Indications for use of the drug
When is Piracetam prescribed? The instruction for use of the 200 mg tablet recommends taking in such cases:
- headaches, dizziness and imbalance caused by deterioration of cerebral circulation;
- injuries and concussions, hypoxia and intoxication;
- impaired memory and concentration, impaired mood and gait;
- senile psychosis and dementia caused by various diseases.
In addition, the drug has proven itself in such cases:
- in the treatment of coronary heart disease in elderly patients, it reduces the need for nitroglycerin;
- in the complex treatment of alcoholism and drug addiction;
- in case of poisoning with alcohol and potent sleeping pills;
- "Piracetam" is also successfully used to treat depression, apathy, sluggish schizophrenia and other mental complications.
What else does this drug cure:
- from epilepsy, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease;
- from atherosclerosis and hypertension.
Piracetam for children
The drug can be prescribed to babies from birth. It is included in the comprehensive treatment of hypoxia and the consequences of birth injuries. It is used for dropsy of the brain, cerebral palsy, oligophrenia, enuresis and developmental delays. But most often, children after 5 years of age "Piracetam" helps in the complex treatment of dyslexia, attention deficit disorder.
It helps to improve the learning process, as it improves memory and the rate of assimilation of information. When examining children from 3 to 15 years old who took Piracetam, it was noted that they became less tired, completed tasks faster, and learned information better. But you need to carefully calculate the dose of the drug, since it can cause hyperactivity, anxiety, and even aggressiveness in children. Piracetam is also prescribed for injuries and concussions. In addition, taking the drug helps teenagers adapt in the team and correct inappropriate behavior.
In what form is Piracetam produced?
Instructions for use of the tablet 200 mg are recommended most often. But industry produces the drug in many other forms:
- capsules "Piracetam" contain 400 mg of active substance;
- 20% solution for injection (in one ampoule of the drug contains one gram of "Piracetam");
- granules for the preparation of children's suspension or syrup.
Analogues of the drug
Sometimes, for the same diseases, doctors prescribe a more expensive drug, Nootropil. But if you read the instructions, it will become clear that this is the same "Piracetam", only of a different production. In addition, analogues and synonyms of the drug are drugs such as Lucetam, Memotropil, Oxycetam, Pyramem, Apagan and many others. In this group of nootropic drugs, more and more drugs are now being produced, but it is Piracetam that remains the most popular among doctors and patients.
Instructions for use
200 mg tablets are usually taken in four pieces three times a day. But this is at the beginning of treatment, later the dose can be halved. The course of treatment usually ranges from two weeks to two months, but if necessary, it can be extended to six months. True, then you need to take a break for a couple of months. Drink the drug in tablets or capsules before meals, drinking plenty of water. But the liquid form of the medicine can be mixed with tea or fruit juice. What is the maximum dose you can take "Piracetam"? The instruction for the use of injections intravenously recommends doing in especially severe cases at a dosage of up to 12 grams per day. When the condition improves, they switch to oral medication. It is often more convenient to take Piracetam (400 mg) capsules. Usually, 1-2 capsules are needed, unlike tablets that need to be drunk 3-4 pieces at a time. In general, Piracetam is a drug whose dosage is calculated not only depending on the age and condition of the patient. Different diseases require a different dose of medication. Therefore, only a doctor can prescribe the drug. For example, often the treatment regimen consists in a gradual increase in the dose during the first two weeks of administration, then it is reduced.
Special instructions for taking the drug
When ingested, Piracetam quickly penetrates into various organs, and in the brain its highest concentration is observed approximately a couple of hours after taking the drug. It lingers the longest in the spinal cord, and is practically not metabolized by other organs. Piracetam is excreted by the kidneys. Therefore, it is worth constantly monitoring indicators of their functions, as well as the state of the liver. You also need to know that this medicine has an exciting effect. Therefore, it is advisable to do the last dose no later than 17 hours, otherwise the patient will not be able to fall asleep, taking Piracetam in the evening. The daily dose in this case is divided into two doses.
How is "Piracetam" combined with other medicines?
Very often, this drug is used in complex treatment. Often, even patients do not know what "Piracetam" from which they are assigned. But the question of the advisability of a combination of drugs can only be decided by a doctor. With the simultaneous administration of several drugs, Piracetam enhances the effect of psychostimulants, antidepressants and cardiac drugs. It is not recommended to use it together with thyroid hormones, because there is a high risk of side effects. And during the complex treatment of epilepsy, anticonvulsant drugs cannot be canceled , since Piracetam can lower the threshold for convulsive readiness.
Can everyone drink Piracetam?
It is not recommended to take the drug for pregnant women and babies up to a year. But sometimes "Piracetam" is still prescribed in these cases. And in some conditions, the drug is strictly contraindicated:
- in acute renal failure;
- patients with diabetes mellitus, especially in childhood;
- with allergic reactions to certain foods;
- with hemorrhagic stroke;
- with severe hypertension;
- after extensive surgical interventions;
- women breastfeeding a child.
Side effects from taking the drug
Piracetam can sometimes cause unpleasant complications. This happens most often in children, in old age or with the wrong dosage of the drug - more than 5 grams per day. Since this is a long-term medication, it is sometimes difficult to understand what negative effects caused Piracetam. Side effects may be as follows:
- mental agitation, irritability, imbalance and fussiness;
- sleep disturbance, anxiety, cramps and weakness;
- decreased appetite, abdominal pain, upset stool, nausea or vomiting;
- dizziness and headaches;
- deterioration in patients with angina pectoris;
- skin itching, and severe pain at the injection site;
- increase in body weight.
Sometimes the ability to concentrate may also decrease, therefore it is not recommended to drive vehicles during treatment.
In most cases, to get rid of these symptoms, it is enough to only reduce the dose of the drug, rarely when it is required to cancel the drug completely.
Reviews about taking "Piracetam"
Despite the fact that in recent years there have been many nootropic drugs, most doctors still prefer to prescribe "Piracetam" to their patients. What is it most often prescribed for? If the patient complains of frequent headaches, dizziness, apathy, memory impairment and poor mood, Piracetam will help him. Older people respond positively to taking the drug, noting that they began to feel calmer, their memory and coordination of movements improved. The high effectiveness of the drug is also indicated by its frequent use in narcology. One of the main drugs for the treatment of alcohol intoxication and drug addiction is precisely Piracetam. Instructions for the use of injections are recommended not only when removing from hard drinking, but also to reduce cravings for alcohol. There are positive reviews about the use of the drug in pediatrics. Piracetam helps children with brain disorders learn and adapt better in society. Often students take the drug before the session in order to better absorb the information for the exam. And such an application is also effective. And since the preparation has low toxicity, it rarely can do much harm. But still it is better to consult a doctor so that he chooses the right dosage.